April 29 / 15.50 Ayr

15.50

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 7f 50y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

1st
5 (4)
Cues Beau

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 21-347

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Easily won small-field maiden on turf debut at Nottingham (6f, soft) last spring and, following a layoff, ran quite well in two 7f AW handicaps at Kempton at start of this year; didn't fire over 1m last month but still enters calculations here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(7)

16th Jun 2024

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

14:40 Doncaster

Cues Beau

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Ed Dunlop

2-3 on turf, winning a Nottingham maiden by 9l in May last year (6f, soft) and a 7f handicap at Ayr in April (good); poor run when favourite at Catterick last time (7f, soft; never travelling); needs to bounce back.

6/1

5th

2

(8)

23rd May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

16:40 Catterick

Cues Beau

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Ed Dunlop

always behind, slowly into stride, switched to near side over 2f out

11/4

5th

2

(8)

23rd May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

16:40 Catterick

Cues Beau

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Ed Dunlop

Soft-ground maiden winner who returned to form with narrow win at Ayr (7f, good) last month; it was a tight finish but she's just 2lb higher today and this lightly raced 4yo could have more to offer.

11/4

10/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 5440-0 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with poor AW run in November and ought to have been suited by the heavy ground when down the field on this month's reappearance outing; now has questions to answer but is well handicapped if the first-time cheekpieces prompt a return to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(1)

2nd Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:33 Thirsk

Phoenix Fire

8st 10lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Heavy-ground winner in 2022 but not won since and mainly disappointing last year; may have needed his reappearance five weeks ago but needs to leave it well behind.

14/1

1

(7)

28th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:10 Beverley

Phoenix Fire

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Heavy ground winner in 2022 but not won since and mainly disappointing last year; 11lb lower than at start of last season but might be one to watch this time.

12/1

1

(7)

28th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:10 Beverley

Phoenix Fire

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Heavy ground winner in 2022 but not won since and mainly disappointing last year; 11lb lower than at start of last season but might be one to watch this time.

12/1

7/2

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 445316 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Improved when upped to 7f on AW in March, and opened account at Newcastle two starts ago; not yet proven on turf but his defeat on heavy ground at Catterick this month can easily be overlooked (stumbled in early stages), and he could still have untapped potential over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(3)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:12 Ayr

Al Muqdad

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

His form has been patchy since an easy win at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) last November but he's 2lb below that last winning mark and his form figures at Ayr read 3112, so it will be no surprise if he's in the mix.

7/2

6th

6

(7)

31st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Muqdad

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Ran away with a 0-70 handicap over C&D in November but hit with a 10lb rise and he has come up short in eight subsequent runs; now back to his last winning mark and cheekpieces return after being left off at Southwell ten days ago; one to consider.

10/1

10th

6

(2)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:43 Southwell (AW)

Al Muqdad

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Below best this year, managing only sixth of eight in refitted cheekpieces (now removed) at Newcastle (7f) a fortnight ago, but he's effective over this C&D, well drawn and too well handicapped to rule out.

10/1

Form: 63-465 BF

Last run: 2 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Disappointed when favourite at Ripon on Saturday and now 0-6 but was very creditable sixth of 18 in Spring Mile at Doncaster (soft) on last month's handicap debut and is sure to appreciate today's ease in grade; drops in trip here; will be dangerous if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(7)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

19:12 Ayr

Helter Skelter

9st 11lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Rebecca Menzies

midfield

100/30

2nd

4

(5)

22nd Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Ayr

Helter Skelter

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-11 but has run really well in second the last twice at Carlisle (1m, soft) and Hamilton (1m, good to soft); beaten just a nose last time when wearing a first-time visor; every chance he'll go one better today.

15/8

2nd

6

(5)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Helter Skelter

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Rebecca Menzies

Expensive to follow for this yard but he's well capable off this sort of mark and he was a good second at Carlisle 26 days ago (Arkenstaar third); new visor replaces cheekpieces this time.

7/1

Form: 1100-0

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Stays 7f well enough but has done most of her winning over the stiff 6f at Hamilton; ended last season with two poor 6f runs and also disappointed over 5f this month; not the most obvious answer today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(1)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

14:51 Hamilton

Iris Dancer

8st 11lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Tristan Davidson

Her form has been mixed this season and she was soundly beaten at Carlisle last time; however, she's running at Hamilton for the first time this year and nine of her 11 wins have come over C&D; she's 10lb lower than when winning here last August and could bounce back with a bold show.

13/2

10th

13

(1)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

15:00 Carlisle

Iris Dancer

8st 10lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Eleven turf wins, mostly at Hamilton but once over C&D, on ground ranging from soft to good to firm; weighted to find another race and will be suited by returning to a track with a stiff finish following her persevering fourth at Ayr 13 days ago; thereabouts.

8/1

4th

1

(7)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Iris Dancer

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Tristan Davidson

Has form at several different venues but is ideally suited by Hamilton, having done nearly all of her winning there; below par last time, failing to back up reappearance effort; 0-9 at Ayr.

10/1

4/1

Form: 2044-3 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Raced exclusively over C&D last season, making the frame on four of his six appearances; recovered from slow start and coped surprisingly well with drop to 5f when third on recent reappearance outing; still on a workable mark; likely contender again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(6)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 4

16:05 Hamilton

Classy Al

8st 10lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Does plenty wrong during his races but it hasn't stopped him from winning seven times, two of them over C&D; running himself back into form this year but others appeal more.

12/1

4th

3

(7)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Ayr

Classy Al

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

No stranger to the Ayr winners' enclosure, winning five at this track (5f-7f), including this race two years ago; has struggled for form in two 5f spins at Musselburgh this year, which makes him hard to fancy; on the plus side, the handicapper is beginning to give him a chance.

10/1

14th

16

(8)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Classy Al

8st 13lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Posted a duck egg over C&D last weekend on reappearance, taking Musselburgh record to 0-8; has done all his winning at Ayr and Hamilton; not the percentage call.

33/1

Form: 4391-7 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Held on well for narrow C&D (good to soft) win in September and was probably unsuited by the heavy ground when making a quiet reappearance three weeks ago but may find younger rivals better handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

1st Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

End Zone

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Roger Fell

11lb below his last winning mark and ran well when a close fourth of ten over C&D early last month, but twice held over 1m back here since; not quite sure what to expect.

10/1

3rd

2

(5)

1st Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

End Zone

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Roger Fell

11lb below his last winning mark and ran well when a close fourth of ten over C&D early last month, but twice held over 1m back here since; not quite sure what to expect.

10/1

5th

2

(2)

28th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

End Zone

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Roger Fell

Finished well for fourth over 7f here two starts ago ago but faded into sixth when back up to 1m in refitted blinkers here last time and remains without a win this year; cheekpieces given another whirl today.

8/1

OUR TIP

8/1

Form: 10-544 CD

Last run: 72 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Dual turf winner (once over C&D) for David O'Meara in the autumn and seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpices when scoring on AW in December, his third start for Michael Dods; still in fairly good form at start of this year; returns from ten-week break today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

26th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Kalganov

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Michael Dods

Losing run up to 18 and entitled to have run better than he did at Ayr last time (7f; handles soft); had been running quite well, though, and cheekpieces now replace a visor.

6/1

4

(6)

6th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

17:15 Ayr

Kalganov

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Losing run is mounting up; however, has proved consistent in the last two months and latest effort can be marked up (met traffic issues); defied a much higher mark over C&D in 2023 and enters the reckoning.

5/1

Form: 3316-9

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Two wins last year, the latter off 1lb lower at Carlisle (7f, good to soft) in September; made low-key reappearance on AW last month but, after only ten runs, he remains open to further progress this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

17:10 Carlisle

William Dewhirst

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Not seen on turf since 2024 but is well treated on best Newcastle AW form and has won over this C&D; admittedly needs to stage a revival judged on 2026 efforts.

14/1

7th

5

(7)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:33 Newcastle (AW)

William Dewhirst

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Prolific here during the 2024/25 AW season but he's beaten one rival in two starts after an absence; couldn't support with any confidence.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £70.40
Straight Forecast £67.62
Tricast £572.26
Trifecta £556.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Classy Al

RP RATINGS:

Cue's Beau

The Times:

William Dewhirst

SPOTLIGHT:

Al Muqdad

Daily Mirror:

Helter Skelter

TOPSPEED:

Phoenix Fire

NEWMARKET:

Cue's Beau

The Sun:

Cue's Beau

Telegraph:

William Dewhirst

D Express:

Al Muqdad

The Star:

Helter Skelter

The Guardian:

Classy Al

Daily Mail:

Classy Al

Daily Record:

Classy Al