March 18 / 15.50 Kempton

15.50

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £7076.54
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Virgin Bet Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.60

Form: -63372

Last run: 5 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Back on song when staying on for a neck second off this mark at Stratford (2m6f, good to soft) on Monday; he was clear of the third and could play a leading role if this doesn't come too soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 5

13:50 Fakenham

Animal

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Suzy Smith

Tailed off two runs back but the season had started okay given the company he was in and it was a solid enough run to be beaten 6l last time at Fontwell (3m2f, soft); same career-low mark here and firmly in the reckoning.

5/2

17

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Animal

10st 12lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Suzy Smith

Makes seasonal debut from a tempting mark and won't fail through lack of stamina but looked out of sorts on both outings at the start of this year and has done all his winning on soft ground; needs combination of wind surgery and first-time tongue-tie to prompt a revival.

33/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 3/32-2

Last run: 115 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won a good-ground novice hurdle in May 2019; just four runs since but he's been placed over fences each time, most recently when second to a highly progressive winner at Wetherby (3m, heavy) last November; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

14:10 Hereford

Southern Sam

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Richard J Bandey

Tired in the latter stages over 3m3f last month; opened his chase account at Haydock (3m1f, heavy; narrow win) the time before and has proved largely consistent; possibilities back down in trip, provided he takes well to first-time headgear.

15/8

3rd

2

28th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 3f 149y

Class 4

15:55 Fontwell

Southern Sam

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Richard J Bandey

disputed lead, led narrowly before 6th, hit 11th

2/1

1st

1

30th Dec 2023

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Southern Sam

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Yet to win over fences but plenty of sound runs to his credit, including on reappearance when third at Wetherby (3m, heavy; jockey dropped his whip on home turn); a possible

9/4

10/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: P-P514

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
11yo who has an up-and-down profile and failed to threaten at Plumpton in January last time; however, prior to that he won there (3m1f, soft) in December and was second in this race last year (good); not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:47 Fontwell

Uallrightharry

10st 10lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Karen Jewell

Old-timer who is not easy to predict these days but he got back in the groove with a front-running win here (3m3f, heavy) in January; 6lb higher back on quicker ground but he jumped well last time and remains well treated on his old form; shortlisted.

11/4

3rd

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:47 Fontwell

Uallrightharry

10st 10lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Karen Jewell

Old-timer who is not easy to predict these days but he got back in the groove with a front-running win here (3m3f, heavy) in January; 6lb higher back on quicker ground but he jumped well last time and remains well treated on his old form; shortlisted.

11/4

Form: -PF344 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Tailed off at Wincanton four weeks ago on his first run since wind surgery; however, it's possible the good ground didn't suit and he's down to the same mark as when winning at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last February; not ruled out now back on a slower surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:17 Wincanton

Edeiffs Elton

11st 12lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Robert Walford

Reappeared with encouraging fourth over 2m4f here in November and this would be more his trip (all three career wins at this track at 3m1f/3m2f); has won on soft but has twice disappointed on heavy.

5/1

0

7

12th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Edeiffs Elton

11st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Reappeared with encouraging fourth over 2m4f here last month and he can build on that now back up in trip and back in his usual cheekpieces, with his three career wins having come here over 3m1f/3m2f; respected.

11/2

Form: 62-5P5 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Runner-up at Plumpton (3m1f, good to soft) in December 2021 and now 10lb lower; however, following an absence this 10yo has struggled on his three starts this season and the cheekpieces need to have a dramatic effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

13:45 Lingfield

Mister Murchan

10st 12lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

2-21 over fences, the latest win in January 2021; twice a runner-up on heavy ground last March but pulled up both starts since; probably needed the run last time after 235 days off and he now has a career-low mark, but others are more persuasive.

33/1

6

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

13:45 Lingfield

Mister Murchan

10st 12lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

2-21 over fences, the latest win in January 2021; twice a runner-up on heavy ground last March but pulled up both starts since; probably needed the run last time after 235 days off and he now has a career-low mark, but others are more persuasive.

33/1

4

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

14:30 Fontwell

Mister Murchan

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Richard Rowe

Twice a runner-up on heavy ground in March, including here, and probably found the good ground too lively when pulled up back here in April; has the ability to figure but has tended to need his first run back from a break in the past.

10/1

Form: -22141 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
10yo who has continued to progress this season and won at Kelso (2m7f, heavy) in January; didn't quite stay when nevertheless a creditable fourth at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft) last month, and he was 3l up when left alone two out to win at Ayr (3m, good) last Saturday; solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

22nd Jan 2024

Frozen

3m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Warwick

Just Dont Know

12st 6lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Paul Robson

Should be vulnerable at these weights but at least he comes here on the back of a solid effort in defeat in a 3m2f heavy-ground handicap at Kelso; mostly consistent last season as well.

10/1

2nd

1

29th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 4

15:32 Kelso

Just Dont Know

12st 0lb

J: Mr Callum Pritchard

T: Paul Robson

Scored over 2m7f on heavy ground here in January and was close/clear second on good ground over that trip here in May; made low-key reappearance here (2m5f) last month but might have needed that outing and will be better suited by today's longer trip; shortlisted.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 061315

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Made chase debut in December and won over 2m4f at Wincanton (good to soft) on two of his first three runs over fences; it's possible this trip will be within range and the drop to 1m7f didn't suit at Wincanton last month, but it's hard to be confident on the back of that last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:30 Newton Abbot

Harlem Soul

11st 6lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Syd Hosie

Dual 2m4f chase winner at Wincanton; had dropped to a career-low mark when returning to form with a near miss at Warwick (2m4f, good) and fair chance if following one good run with another.

10/1

2nd

4

30th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Warwick

Harlem Soul

11st 9lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Syd Hosie

Dual 2m4f chase winner (both good to soft) at Wincanton, where six of his best seven efforts have come; handy mark but little encouragement in his recent form.

8/1

4th

1

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Harlem Soul

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Syd Hosie

Won twice over 2m4f in 2022-23 season but was out of form last term and is yet to convince stamina-wise over this sort of trip; drops in grade today but still needs to up his game.

14/1

Form: 51-PF0 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won off this mark at Plumpton last January but this 10yo has failed to shine this winter and needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:20 Taunton

Putdecashonthedash

11st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Keiran Burke

Defied a 17lb higher mark nearly two years ago but has shown precious little in the meantime.

16/1

6th

8

12th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Putdecashonthedash

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

Has dropped to a mark 12lb lower than when winning at Plumpton in January 2022 but this 10yo has struggled subsequently.

50/1

Form: 2/1P41

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Defied a long absence to win a novice hurdle at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) last November and he won at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month when back up in trip on his second chase start; ran well over 3m1f over hurdles in 2021 and could have more to offer now back up in distance; a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Northern Poet

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Pulled up three consecutive times after his two good-ground wins (3m/3m5f) in March 2025; back on a good mark now and was seemingly perked up by first-time visor when close fourth of six (just behind Enjoy d'Allen) at Plumpton (3m1f, good) last month but overall profile remains unconvincing.

12/1

4th

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

16:02 Plumpton

Northern Poet

12st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Has five wins over fences, including over C&D, but has been pulled up on his last three starts; back on last winning mark and first-time visor now goes on but he comes with risks.

12/1

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Northern Poet

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Won this last year (good) and followed up at Warwick (3m5f, good) a week later; also effective on good to soft ground; pulled up on final two starts last season but can go well fresh and is not ruled out on his return.

8/1

Form: -1132P D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won his first two chase starts last autumn (2m3f/2m7f, good/good to soft) and close second at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) in January; perhaps unsuited by the first-time visor when pulled up at Fontwell last month and could go well if taking to the first-time cheekpieces today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

18th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Kempton

Ozzie Man

11st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary Moore

Won his first two chase starts last autumn (2m3f/2m7f, good/good to soft) and close second at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) in January; perhaps unsuited by the first-time visor when pulled up at Fontwell last month and could go well if taking to the first-time cheekpieces today.

7/1

5

6th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

15:00 Fontwell

Ozzie Man

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary Moore

raced in last, reminder when slow jump 1st, struggling 11th, pulled up after 13th, never going well

11/8

2nd

7

30th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

14:15 Huntingdon

Ozzie Man

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary Moore

He went up 6lb for beating only three rivals in his second chase at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) and he never threatened to bring up the hat-trick at Plumpton (3m1f); might be capable of better than he showed there and Caoilin Quinn's claim is welcomed; has won over this trip on good ground.

7/2

Form: 2-4P83

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Well backed when back over fences in first-time blinkers (retained) at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) last month and kept on nicely for third; won over 3m1f over hurdles and he's on the shortlist now back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Im A Starman

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mark Rimell

Grand veteran with eight wins over hurdles, including two over C&D last summer; down to his last winning mark and should be sharper for his fifth at Hereford last month following a five-month layoff, but you have to think that one of his younger rivals should have his measure.

12/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Im A Starman

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Registered a four-timer last April-June (3m1f/2m7f, good/good to soft); very in and out since and he's now a 13yo but he finished on the heels of the principals off today's mark at Warwick in November when last seen; more to prove after the break.

4/1

3

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Im A Starman

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Secured the second leg of a four-timer with wide-margin win over C&D (good) in May; now just 2lb above his last winning mark but generally well beaten since (the exception in a four-runner race) and he was tailed off last time; others look more likely.

16/1

Non-runners

Northern Poet, Ozzie Man

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.50
Straight Forecast £15.40
Tricast £107.74
Trifecta £119.00

Selections

Telegraph:

Southern Sam

The Guardian:

Northern Poet

RP Ratings:

Just Don't Know

TOPSPEED:

Ede'iffs Elton

SPOTLIGHT:

I'm A Starman

POSTDATA:

Ozzie Man

The Times:

Harlem Soul

The Star:

Putdecashonthedash

Daily Mirror:

Northern Poet

Daily Mail:

Just Don't Know

WEST COUNTRY:

Ede'iffs Elton

The Sun:

Southern Sam

Daily Record:

Southern Sam

D Express:

I'm A Starman