September 14 / 16.05 Chester

16.05

Heavy

Virgin Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £20384
  • 1m 2f 70y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 400233 D BF

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Wins have come on soft/heavy ground; recorded three creditable placed efforts in July and returns from a short break with ground conditions likely to be in his favour; much respected with a leading apprentice taking 3lb off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(6)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Stressfree

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

His only appearance here was a win in 2024; beaten on his last 13 starts, running some good races but he's often a hostage of fortune coming from off the pace and does not look the percentage call over new trip.

7/1

4th

2

(7)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:05 Haydock

Stressfree

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Beaten on his last 12 starts but has run some good races in the meantime, finishing third in this last year (good) and sixth of 22 in the Ebor at York (1m6f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; could be thereabouts.

6/1

6th

16

(5)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Stressfree

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Probably no ground worries; not a prolific winner, with his waiting tactics, but he was fourth in the Ebor last year off a 2lb higher mark; ran creditably on reappearance, before none of his three starts since panned out favourably; can be given a place chance.

33/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 5-2336 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Soft-ground winner; creditable efforts in competitive 1m2f handicaps on all four outings this year; the first-time cheekpieces he wore at the York Ebor meeting are retained; close second on his previous Chester visit; prominent showing likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(10)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ayr

Have Secret

9st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Has faced a few difficult tasks this summer and he proved resurgent when back down in grade at York (1m2f) last time; remains on same mark as when winning a spring event; beaten twice (fifth in 2024, down the field last year) in this race, however.

14/1

4th

5

(10)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 3

15:15 York

Have Secret

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Pontefract back in the spring and ran well here in May, but the wheels have come off since then; has finished out the back here in last two races, behind stablemate Castle Stuart on both occasions.

33/1

20th

10

(12)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Have Secret

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April; respectable fifth of 15 over C&D (good) at the Dante meeting in May but well held twice since, latterly at 100-1 in the John Smith's Cup.

28/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 2212-2 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Progressive profile, including landing a soft-ground handicap over this trip at Ayr last July; reappeared with a fine second short-head second to Theoryofeverything (won again at Ascot last week) at Hamilton (1m1f, soft) 32 days ago; fresh for this stage of the season; should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(8)

19th Sep 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:47 Newbury

Paddy The Squire

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Generally progressive, mostly over further, since being gelded; close second at this year's Newmarket July festival, then looked better than the bare result in the Ebor; has won at 1m2f; possibilities, provided he takes well to new headgear.

12/1

14th

11

(14)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Paddy The Squire

9st 6lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Markedly improved last year and even better this term, all on good or good to firm, although he had lots of soft-ground form in previous seasons; wore cheekpieces when staying-on third of 16 to Daiquiri Bay at Royal Ascot (1m6f) and close second at Newmarket (1m4f) 18 days later; raised another 3lb but each-way player if the ground is okay for him.

20/1

2nd

3

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Paddy The Squire

9st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Much improved last year, including after his second to Plage De Havre in this race at Haydock; York sixth to Klassleader on reappearance but back to his best when staying-on third of 16 at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) 18 days ago; needs respect.

7/1

Form: 848474

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Useful mare who won three times on soft ground last year; often highly tried this year but creditable fourth back in a handicap at Haydock (1m2f, good to soft) last week; reasons to think she'll run well but Stressfree is still the more appealing of the yard's pair.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 3

15:35 Hamilton

Zarabanda

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Course winner who comes here in good form, fourth of nine in 1m2f Chester handicap 16 days ago; she ought to be thereabouts eased 1lb.

9/2

4th

4

(3)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:05 Chester

Zarabanda

9st 7lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Useful mare who won three times on soft ground last year; often highly tried this year but creditable fourth back in a handicap at Haydock (1m2f, good to soft) last week; reasons to think she'll run well but Stressfree is still the more appealing of the yard's pair.

9/1

4th

1

(1)

5th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Zarabanda

10st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Mixed form in Listed races on last three starts but she was a creditable fourth at York two runs ago (1m2f, good to firm) and she's won three of her eight handicaps (all on soft); interesting now back in a handicap.

12/1

Form: 145727 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Reappeared with 1m2f Windsor win on good to soft (acts on heavy) in April; creditable second at Haydock (1m2f, good) last month and met trouble in a Racing League handicap back at Windsor since (still in form).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

24th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Newmarket

First Officer

9st 10lb

J: Sorin Moldoveanu

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

He's been running well in defeat this summer, bumping into a very unexposed Godolphin winner when 7l second of five under Sorin Moldoveanu on the other Newmarket course (1m4f, good to firm) last month; close third in this last year and there is every chance that he will be in the mix.

8/1

2nd

6

(1)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Newmarket (July)

First Officer

8st 12lb

J: Sorin Moldoveanu

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

C&D winner last July and he's finished close up back at this track (1m4f, good to firm) in his last two starts; didn't get much luck when fourth in a Class 3 event last time and he's a player off unchanged mark.

6/1

4th

8

(6)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:58 Newmarket (July)

First Officer

8st 12lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Often ridden by claimer Alexandra Egan, including when he won a four-runner C&D race (good to firm) last July off the same mark as today; creditable second on last two outings (C&D latest) suggest he will be bang there.

4/1

Form: 070763 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (soft) in June; has failed to reach that level in six outings since but has run a bit better the last twice and he's 2lb below the mark he defied in June.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 80y

20:30 Killarney

Loyal Touch

9st 13lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Five-time winner in Britain at up to 1m2f (rating peaked at 93); not at the same level for this yard, including over hurdles; handicapper giving him every chance but others preferred.

16/1

7th

2

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 40y

17:48 Bellewstown

Loyal Touch

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Five-time Flat winner in Britain at up to 1m2f; not at the same level for this yard, including two races over hurdles.

50/1

6th

3

(1)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

20:20 Limerick

Loyal Touch

10st 0lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Five-time Flat winner in Britain at up to 1m2f; not at same level for this yard, well beaten over hurdles last twice.

20/1

Form: 9-2107 CD

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
C&D winner on soft and good to firm at the last two May meetings; below par at Epsom and Newcastle this summer but returns from an 11-week break only 1lb above the mark he defied in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(1)

12th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

City Streak

8st 13lb

J: William Carver

T: Andrew Balding

Landed another Chester win in May but behind Stressfree, Have Secret and Paddy The Squire there last month, albeit perhaps just needing the outing after 11 weeks off; acts on heavy.

18/1

7th

1

(8)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:05 Chester

City Streak

9st 11lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Andrew Balding

C&D winner on soft and good to firm at the last two May meetings; below par at Epsom and Newcastle this summer but returns from an 11-week break only 1lb above the mark he defied in May.

11/2

7th

2

(8)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

City Streak

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

Enhanced his good Chester record there in May (1m2f, good to firm); comfortably held off this mark at Epsom since but good chance he'll bounce back and Wolverhampton exploits bode well for his first visit here.

8/1

14/1

Form: 0-3647 D

Last run: 80 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Completed a four-timer for Tony Carroll last summer and ran with credit in defeat for this yard over the summer; first start for 12 weeks; has won on good to soft (unraced on softer).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

28th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Brighton

Gallant Lion

10st 1lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Ian Williams

Only 2lb higher than for his C&D win in May (good to firm) and he wasn't beaten far at Goodwood next time; disappointed at Southwell since but he's now 0-12 on the AW.

11/2

8th

9

(2)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

13:30 Southwell (AW)

Gallant Lion

9st 5lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Ian Williams

Back to some form over 1m4f on turf on last two starts; 0-11 on AW, however, with two places but they were on Polytrack.

11/1

4th

7

(5)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 4

18:55 Goodwood

Gallant Lion

8st 12lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Struggled over 1m at Southwell last month but relished the step back up in trip when winning at Brighton (1m4f, good to firm) three weeks ago; still fairly treated on his old form off this 3lb higher mark and has claims.

100/30

OUR TIP

6/1

Form: 2-1753 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo; won on soft-ground reappearance at Goodwood (1m2f) in May; added to his solid Goodwood record when third over 1m4f (soft again) three weeks ago; the blinkers he's worn on his last two starts are left off; each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

15th Sep 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:30 Uttoxeter

Maghlaak

12st 1lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won over fences on stable debut at Southwell last November (2m4f, soft); fair fourth next time (2m4f, good to soft); slightly disappointing last four runs, two on the Flat, two over hurdles (first over C&D); bit to prove.

12/1

5th

4

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Maghlaak

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for current yard over fences at Southwell (2m4f) in November but only eighth back hurdling in 2m7f handicap here 17 days ago; visor and tongue-tie are retried now.

50/1

8th

8

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

15:00 Uttoxeter

Maghlaak

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase last November but pulled up in his final chase and has finished last in two subsequent Flat starts; capable hurdler but hardly returns to this discipline at the top of his game.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.60
Straight Forecast £28.78
Tricast £115.99
Trifecta £103.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Stressfree

Telegraph:

Paddy The Squire

Daily Mail:

Maghlaak

TOPSPEED:

Zarabanda

D Express:

Gallant Lion

RP RATINGS:

Loyal Touch

The Times:

Have Secret

POSTDATA:

Stressfree

The Guardian:

Stressfree

Daily Mirror:

Stressfree

The Star:

Stressfree

Daily Record:

Paddy The Squire

The Sun:

Maghlaak