September 13 / 15.50 Chester

15.50

Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £9172.8
  • 1m 7f 196y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 141230

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
0-10 with Kevin Philippart De Foy to start career; 4-19 for Kevin Frost, including three wins on soft this spring; rejoined his former trainer (same owner) and absent 11 weeks before always behind on AW three weeks ago, but he's now back with Frost and more interesting now also back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

6th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Corsican Caper

9st 5lb

J: Phoebe Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

on outer throughout, took keen hold, prominent, lost ground 5f out

20/1

6th

4

(6)

6th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Corsican Caper

9st 5lb

J: Phoebe Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

on outer throughout, took keen hold, prominent, lost ground 5f out

20/1

5th

2

(2)

30th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

14:12 Southwell (AW)

Corsican Caper

9st 7lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Kevin Frost

Has a better strike-rate on turf than on AW and hasn't been at his best on last three appearances; others preferred.

20/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 66-134 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Upped to 1m4f when narrowly making a successful handicap debut at Wolverhampton (AW) in April; only third of four at Hamilton (1m4f, soft; his only turf start) in May and fourth of six at Southwell (1m6f) when next seen 18 days ago, not far away however and he does shape like a stayer; could have more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(10)

13th Oct 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Goodwood

Judgementofsolomon

11st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Won at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) in April and Pontefract (2m1f, good to firm) in September; consistent in between (including one run on heavy) and he's an out-and-out stayer but his performance dipped on latest outing; cheekpieces last two; player if bouncing back.

11/4

3rd

8

29th Sep 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Judgementofsolomon

9st 6lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Won handicap debut at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) in April; creditable efforts afterwards (one here; behind Environment Amigo) before he resumed improvement to win at Pontefract (2m1f; cheekpieces added) ten days ago; 4lb higher but he has more to give as an out-and-out stayer.

2/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 772581

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Not proven on softer than good; wore cheekpieces last two outings; big change in tactics when always prominent at Musselburgh (2m2f) 16 days ago and it resulted in him getting off the mark at the seventh attempt, by a head under 5lb claimer; up just 2lb and might have more to give now that more use is being made of his stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

1st Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Trojan Sun

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Collected fairly good prize when opening account at Musselburgh (2m2f, good) in August and has been placed off his new mark since; drops in grade here and might still have more improvement to come; good chance.

2/1

3rd

9

(10)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Trojan Sun

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Not proven on softer than good; wore cheekpieces last two outings; big change in tactics when always prominent at Musselburgh (2m2f) 16 days ago and it resulted in him getting off the mark at the seventh attempt, by a head under 5lb claimer; up just 2lb and might have more to give now that more use is being made of his stamina.

7/1

9

(1)

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

16:05 Musselburgh

Trojan Sun

8st 4lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Six-race maiden; ran his best race when staying on into second of seven late in the day on handicap debut over C&D (ridden by Amie Waugh) in early July; flopped back here next time but 4l eighth at Carlisle in first-time cheekpieces gave a little renewed hope; 2lb out of the handicap.

20/1

12/1

Form: 8-6423 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Latest win was at this track but in June 2022; with new yard last four starts and placed over 2m in the last two, including under Rhys Elliott; below form on softer than good, however, and he's 4lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Bamboo Bay

8st 10lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Tracy Waggott

Three-time turf winner who has sixthitis (form figures 6666) at this venue since returned to AW, taking record in this sphere to 0-7; needs to raise his game.

20/1

6th

7

(6)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Bamboo Bay

8st 10lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Tracy Waggott

Three-time turf winner who has sixthitis (form figures 6666) at this venue since returned to AW, taking record in this sphere to 0-7; needs to raise his game.

20/1

6th

1

(12)

2nd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

14:27 Newcastle (AW)

Bamboo Bay

9st 9lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Tracy Waggott

1m6f turf winner in September but he's generally struggled since then; showed signs of a revival when a keeping-on sixth here last time but that was over 2m and his tactical speed will be tested back at this trip; others preferred.

14/1

Form: 6-5759

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Effective at this track, though without a win here (eight attempts); veteran who has won only once (April 2023) in the last four seasons and his last four wins have been on soft or heavy going; significant ability remains compared to this career-low mark but last Friday saw only his second run beyond 1m4f on the Flat and he never showed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(10)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 4

14:43 Nottingham

Lunar Jet

8st 7lb

J: Jimmy Quinn

T: Steph Hollinshead

10yo who has become hard to win with and was behind Croeso Cymraeg at Doncaster latest.

33/1

9th

11

(10)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 4

14:43 Nottingham

Lunar Jet

8st 7lb

J: Jimmy Quinn

T: Steph Hollinshead

10yo who has become hard to win with and was behind Croeso Cymraeg at Doncaster latest.

33/1

5th

13

(8)

25th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

17:25 Doncaster

Lunar Jet

9st 1lb

J: Jimmy Quinn

T: Steph Hollinshead

Veteran who has won only once in the last four seasons but he does go well in deep ground and lack of stamina may have contributed to his heavy defeats over 1m6f and 2m on his last two outings; has three wins under Jimmy Quinn.

33/1

6th
11 (3)
Hiccups

14/1

Form: -05032

Last run: 65 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
4yo who has had eight races, best last time when close second of eight in handicap at Ffos Las (1m6f, good to soft) in second-time cheekpieces; makes his first attempt at 2m but that latest run gave plenty of encouragement; 3lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(12)

2nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:23 Catterick

Hiccups

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John Berry

0-9; form largely moderate; went close at Ffos Las (1m6f, good to soft) in July; heavy ground a possible excuse at Chester (2m) latest; not easy to have confidence.

10/1

6th

11

(3)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Hiccups

8st 11lb

J: J F Egan

T: John Berry

4yo who has had eight races, best last time when close second of eight in handicap at Ffos Las (1m6f, good to soft) in second-time cheekpieces; makes his first attempt at 2m but that latest run gave plenty of encouragement; 3lb out of the handicap.

14/1

2nd

6

(3)

10th Jul 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:20 Ffos Las

Hiccups

9st 1lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: John Berry

took keen hold, raced in second, up the centre from over 3f out, drifted left when challenging from over 2f out, briefly led inside final furlong, kept on

12/1

12/1

Form: 670

Last run: 119 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Big odds, slowly away and always behind over about 1m2f on good ground at Newmarket, Chester and Newbury this spring; gelded in June; makes his handicap debut over 6f further, in first-time headgear and on different ground, so there would be explanations were he to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(3)

26th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Prince Iago

9st 1lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Hugo Palmer

Gelded after three quiet runs in 1m2f maidens and heavy ground was perhaps against him on handicap debut over 2m at Chester (11-1); couldn't rule out.

8/1

7th

13

(6)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Prince Iago

8st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Hugo Palmer

Big odds, slowly away and always behind over about 1m2f on good ground at Newmarket, Chester and Newbury this spring; gelded in June; makes his handicap debut over 6f further, in first-time headgear and on different ground, so there would be explanations were he to improve.

12/1

11th

6

(11)

17th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newbury

Prince Iago

9st 7lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Hugo Palmer

slowly away

50/1

8th
6 (11)
Zivaniya

10/1

Form: 131716 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Won three of his seven races this term, all 2m and the latest win when making all at Newcastle last month; not disgraced there ten days ago; the big question is over the lack of solid recommendations on turf, albeit after only four attempts, the latest 11 months ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(3)

4th Feb 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Zivaniya

8st 11lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Hugo Palmer

Handy sort who won three times on the AW last year, including when making all from 2lb higher over C&D in August; only beaten just over a length into third of nine at Kempton (2m, Polytrack) 13 days ago and as she has won when not leading; has to be high on the list.

3/1

5th

6

(3)

4th Feb 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Zivaniya

8st 11lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Hugo Palmer

Handy sort who won three times on the AW last year, including when making all from 2lb higher over C&D in August; only beaten just over a length into third of nine at Kempton (2m, Polytrack) 13 days ago and as she has won when not leading; has to be high on the list.

3/1

3rd

9

(4)

22nd Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Zivaniya

9st 2lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Hugo Palmer

led at slow pace

5/1

9th
8 (13)
Tazaman

16/1

Form: 327/55

Last run: 79 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Twice fifth on the Kempton AW (2m) since returning from a 636-day absence, with the first of those efforts better than the second; best 2022 efforts (on good and good to soft) make him look well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(1)

26th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Tazaman

9st 10lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Kevin Frost

Dual 1m4f winner at Wolverhampton and 1m6f winner on turf; first run back from a long absence was respectable but poor since.

10/1

9th

8

(13)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Tazaman

9st 5lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Kevin Frost

Twice fifth on the Kempton AW (2m) since returning from a 636-day absence, with the first of those efforts better than the second; best 2022 efforts (on good and good to soft) make him look well handicapped.

16/1

Form: 64341- D

Last run: 352 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably over 2m on soft ground on penultimate start last term, but it was over 2m on Kempton AW (5-4 favourite) next time that he took the step forward to make his breakthrough; up 4lb today but appeared to have potential at 2m+ when last seen; it's the absence and return to turf which give him most to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(1)

20th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Berkshire Sundance

8st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

This 4yo is on the up and he's won his last three completed starts; the horse he beat at Salisbury in October was bidding for a hat-trick and the rival he beat at Southwell last time had won five of his last six starts; looks the one to beat in receipt of 8lb plus.

9/4

2nd

6

(1)

20th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Berkshire Sundance

8st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

This 4yo is on the up and he's won his last three completed starts; the horse he beat at Salisbury in October was bidding for a hat-trick and the rival he beat at Southwell last time had won five of his last six starts; looks the one to beat in receipt of 8lb plus.

9/4

1st

5

(4)

31st Oct 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Berkshire Sundance

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

raced in second, pressed leader over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, faced challenge over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, stayed on

7/4

Non-runners

CMon Kenny, Zikany, Dereham

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.70
Straight Forecast £24.92
Tricast £128.52
Trifecta £204.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Judgementofsolomon

The Guardian:

Corsican Caper

D Express:

Trojan Sun

Daily Mail:

Prince Iago

Daily Record:

Hiccups

Daily Mirror:

Berkshire Sundance

RP RATINGS:

Judgementofsolomon

POSTDATA:

Judgementofsolomon

NEWMARKET:

Judgementofsolomon

The Times:

Judgementofsolomon

Telegraph:

Judgementofsolomon

The Star:

Judgementofsolomon

The Sun:

Corsican Caper