September 27 / 16.39 Ayr

16.39

Good

Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap

  • Prize money: £5616
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.50

Form: -84734 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Back from break with two good runs this month, latterly when fourth of 14 in Class 2 event over C&D (good); 1lb lower today and a likely contender again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

First Impression

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: John & Sean Quinn

Useful dual-purpose performer but he's on a tough mark over hurdles, now 8lb higher than for his last win (last February) after going up 3lb for a narrow defeat at Doncaster; should give his running but others are preferred for win purposes.

8/1

2nd

9

16th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

14:40 Doncaster

First Impression

10st 3lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: John Quinn

raced in second

16/1

0

2

(5)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 3

15:55 Pontefract

First Impression

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

In top form at Chester since returning from a three-month break, posting a win (1m2f, soft) then a good second (1m2f, good to soft); also effective elsewhere and he can give another good account.

11/2

10/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 431369 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Dual course winner this summer (1m, good to firm/1m2f, good) before two creditable runs in defeat on soft ground at Hamilton last month (1m1f/1m4f); below form and behind First Impression over C&D recently but still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(4)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:33 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: R Mike Smith

Proving expensive to follow but continues to run well now and again and can't be left out of calculations even though down the field here yesterday.

20/1

9th

9

(4)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:33 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: R Mike Smith

Proving expensive to follow but continues to run well now and again and can't be left out of calculations even though down the field here yesterday.

20/1

10th

8

(1)

22nd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:39 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Has never attempted this far on the AW before, but he has run well over similar trips on turf; losing run of 31 is a concern, though.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £11.50

Form: -16585 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Course regular who began this season with a soft-ground C&D success in May; suffered significant dip in form afterwards but returned from break with pretty good effort here (1m, good) 11 days ago; each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(4)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

Royal Regent

9st 3lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: R Mike Smith

prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon edged right towards near side, headed over 1f out, kept on

10/1

3rd

12

(6)

27th Sep 2022

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:39 Ayr

Royal Regent

8st 10lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: R Mike Smith

prominent, pushed along 2f out, ridden and went second over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

16/1

5th

6

(6)

16th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Ayr

Royal Regent

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: R Mike Smith

midfield, headway 3f out, pushed along and made challenge 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra final 110yds

33/1

14/1

Form: -31330 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Kept on strongly to score by 6l at Haydock (1m2f, good to soft) in June and is only 3lb higher here but needs to bounce back from a disappointing run this month and would appeal much more on ground slower than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(4)

17th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

13:50 Doncaster

Arch Moon

10st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

All wins on good/good to soft, the most recent off 2lb lower at Wetherby in May; form dipped at Ayr last time and he is now conceding weight to several 3yos who are much less exposed; opposed.

8/1

5th

2

(5)

12th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:37 Ayr

Arch Moon

10st 1lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Michael Dods

in touch with leaders on outer

13/2

4th

3

(8)

17th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Ayr

Arch Moon

10st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

took keen hold, prominent, switched to near side over 2f out

9/2

Form: 326164 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Evidently well suited by step up to 1m2f when clearcut winner at Ripon (good to soft) last month; comes here after very respectable fourth over that C&D two weeks ago and is not yet fully exposed over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(4)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:45 Thirsk

Cosmos Raj

9st 3lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Won at Ripon (1m, soft; Barley was second) last July off a mark 8lb higher than today's but he's struggled since; others have stronger claims.

25/1

6th

8

(8)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

16:00 Pontefract

Cosmos Raj

9st 4lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

12-time winner; creditable second in this race in 2022 and 2025 but on both occasions he was in better form at the time; out of sorts since his last success.

20/1

7th

3

(13)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:53 Carlisle

Cosmos Raj

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Gained most recent success off 3lb higher last July, enhancing his good record at Ripon; not in anything like the same form since; difficult to support with confidence.

16/1

Form: 3445-

Last run: 364 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ended four-race 2yo campaign with disappointing run here a year ago and hasn't raced again since; not an easy horse to weigh up on belated seasonal debut but there was significant promise in his first three runs and market support will make him of interest; gelded last autumn.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

27

(20)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

17:00 Curragh

Capital Theory

10st 5lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: H D McGuigan

Had this rider aboard when scoring at Naas nine days ago, with Considering back in third; worth considering; first reserve.

2

(16)

12th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 125y

16:55 Naas

Capital Theory

9st 12lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: H D McGuigan

Step in the right direction at Bellewstown recently (1m4f, soft); drop in trip could suit.

12/1

3rd

2

(5)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 110y

16:33 Bellewstown

Capital Theory

10st 0lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Competitive but below best form in two claimers this summer for current yard and then tailed off in a 2m2f handicap at Down Royal; others appeal more.

12/1

16/1

Form: 534459 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Multiple course winner; has modest strike-rate in recent years and needs to better his recent efforts but went close off 4lb higher over C&D in first-time cheekpieces in July and has the headgear refitted today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who was recording his 12th win at the track when leading close home over 1m5f last week; able to race off a 3lb lower mark today and he has to be of interest from a handicapping perspective.

5/1

1st

6

(3)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Ayr

Glasses Up

8st 4lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Long in the tooth now and needs to better his recent efforts but was close third off 4lb higher at Hamilton (1m1f, good to firm) in May and is probably better suited by today's trip; can't rule out.

10/1

5th

3

(1)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:25 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who last May gained a ninth C&D win; his more recent form is not so encouraging, though, just fifth of eight over C&D 16 days ago; needs to bounce back.

20/1

Form: 116103 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Has progressed from basement mark and won five times (1m-1m1f) for new stable this season; coped fine with step up to 1m2f when placed at Redcar (good to soft) a fortnight ago and may yet have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(12)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Shine On Brendan

9st 13lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

8yo who is 0-9 this year but he's run some good races, most recently third at Hamilton (1m, soft) off 2lb higher, and he won this 12 months ago (good); there's every chance he'll be thereabouts.

7/1

3rd

6

(5)

29th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

15:00 Hamilton

Shine On Brendan

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

Nine-time winner (five times here) who won't mind what the weather does; yet to hit the target this season, though, and both runs this month have been disappointing; others have less to prove.

14/1

6th

5

(5)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 5

16:13 Hamilton

Shine On Brendan

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

Runner-up twice this summer but form dipped last time; the 8yo is a five-time course winner and could go well returned to Hamilton.

15/2

9th
9 (1)
Gorak

7/2

Form: 1-0533 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won as a 2yo here and returns after keeping on for creditable third in competitive Racing League handicap at Windsor (1m2f, good) this month; still has low mileage and is unexposed over today's trip; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Goodwood

Gorak

9st 0lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Best form this season when placed twice at Haydock, including latest start; still on a workable mark but continues on a long losing sequence, which makes him a similar type to Billyjoh.

16/1

3

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Haydock

Gorak

9st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Charlie Fellowes

Record over C&D includes a success in May 2023 and solid second on reappearance this term; disappointing favourite here on penultimate start and losing run is mounting up; best form certainly gives him a good chance off current mark back down in grade.

7/1

11

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Gorak

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Fellowes

Disappointing favourite at Haydock last Saturday, extending his long losing sequence; beaten twice in this contest (seventh in 2023, well held in 2024) and can be opposed.

33/1

4/1

Form: 324

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 3yo who has made the frame on all three starts, perhaps most notably when close second at Southwell (1m3f, AW) on second occasion; ideally needs to settle better than he did at Ripon last month but ought to have some improvement to come in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 194y

16:10 Sligo

Aussie Warrior

11st 11lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Thomas R Hughes

Won a beginners' at Tramore on chase debut on his penultimate start but it was a low-key run when sent off favourite for a handicap hurdle at Wexford last week; workable mark if he can bounce back (went close off mark of 100 last summer) and return to this sort of trip will probably help.

6/1

7th

3

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 55y

14:40 Wexford

Aussie Warrior

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Thomas R Hughes

Hurdles win came in 2m Roscommon 4yo maiden on good, twice runner-up in handicaps at same trip last summer; winning chasing debut at Tramore in May and rated an 8lb superior chaser on that run so has to be respected back hurdling.

11/2

2

30th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 180y

17:05 Tramore

Aussie Warrior

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Thomas R Hughes

Hurdles win came in 2m Roscommon 4yo maiden on good, twice runner-up in handicaps at same trip last summer; didn't count in competitive Fairyhouse handicap last month after long absence and now switches to fences; won't want too much rain.

25/1

14/1

Form: 521530 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Dual turf winner this summer, latterly at Haydock (1m2f, good); down the field after racing too freely on Tapeta recently and, even if back on song, probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(2)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

18:09 Carlisle

Jewel Maker

9st 7lb

J: Miss Rebecca Burley

T: Tim Easterby

Dual course winner (including at this trip) whose best run this term came when fourth to Krissy over C&D on his penultimate start; didn't build on it over 1m here next time, though.

16/1

8th

8

(5)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

15:50 Carlisle

Jewel Maker

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran who ran his best race of the campaign when fourth over 1m1f here last month; should run his race again but might have to make do with some minor money.

8/1

4th

7

(6)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

14:10 Carlisle

Jewel Maker

9st 7lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

11yo who has plenty to prove on the evidence of this year's three runs; however, he's 6lb lower than when winning at Redcar last October and perhaps the return to Carlisle will trigger a revival, with his course form figures reading 4106231.

20/1

25/1

Form: 436245

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden who was safely held after racing too freely on recent handicap debut at Redcar (1m2f, good to soft); now sports cheekpieces; others have less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(6)

4th May 2023

Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

14:55 Redcar

Positive Force

8st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Rebecca Menzies

Yet to get his head in front and he arrives below par, only 12th in 1m Southwell handicap 16 days ago; cheekpieces and tongue strap go back on with lots to prove.

5/1

12th

5

(5)

18th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Positive Force

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Rebecca Menzies

midfield

10/1

6th

1

(11)

4th Apr 2023

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Thirsk

Positive Force

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Maiden who didn't go on for Kevin Ryan and needs more than he's shown for this yard, over hurdles and on the AW; should be well treated if the return to turf is what's wanted.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.70
Straight Forecast £25.58
Tricast £905.08
Trifecta £1184.50

Selections

The Times:

Gorak

SPOTLIGHT:

Aussie Warrior

TOPSPEED:

Arch Moon

Daily Mirror:

Tilsitt

The Sun:

First Impression

RP Ratings:

Glasses Up

The Guardian:

Royal Regent

NEWMARKET:

Aussie Warrior

Telegraph:

Aussie Warrior

Daily Mail:

Gorak

Daily Express:

Gorak

The Star:

Gorak

Daily Record:

Gorak

POSTDATA:

Arch Moon