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

7th

3

(1)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Stressfree

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Beaten a head in this race last year and fourth of 22 here in the Ebor in August; began 2026 with another solid effort, when second at Ripon; not a prolific winner with his waiting tactics but big each-way chance.

6/1

2nd

1

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Ripon

Stressfree

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Smart handicapper who won at Haydock (1m4f, good) off 4lb lower last May and recorded several good efforts in defeat later in 2025; has gone well fresh before.

9/2

1

(6)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Stressfree

9st 12lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Likeable hold-up performer who has run crackers in top handicaps over 1m6f on last two starts, fourth of 22 in the Ebor at York (good to firm) before third of 14 to The Reverend (Dramatic Star second) in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock (good); all ground seems to come alike; each-way claims again.

8/1

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

5

(6)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Have Secret

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

6yo who is on a career-high mark but he looked better than ever when winning by just over 2l at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last month; close third in this last year (good to firm) and could again be thereabouts.

10/1

1st

7

(3)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Have Secret

9st 0lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Redcar (1m2f, good) last November and not beaten far when fifth of 12 at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) last month; could show the benefit of that latest outing today and he's one to consider.

7/1

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

6th

2

(11)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Paddy The Squire

9st 10lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Iain Jardine

Short-headed on 2024 reappearance and won it last year; thrived last season when winning three races and not far away in the other three, including at this track; highly respected for that campaign, and first-time-out record, but the handicapper reacted and he now needs to resume improvement.

10/1

5th

3

(9)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Paddy The Squire

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

5yo who has thrived this season and made it two 1m4f wins in a row when powering ahead at Hamilton (good to firm) a fortnight ago; also effective here (and on soft ground) and has hinted he could be even better now tackling 1m6f for the first time; trainer won this in 2015 and 2017; player.

15/2

2

(2)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

Paddy The Squire

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Won on reappearance at Chester (1m2f, good) in May before being placed in two competitive handicaps, then back to winning ways at Thirsk (1m4f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; hit with 9lb rise for last time but this thriving 5yo had 5l to spare and could play a leading role once more.

3/1

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

5th

5

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

20:45 Salisbury

First Officer

9st 6lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Six-time winner but only one of those came in a double-figure field (October 2022); ran well at Newmarket when last seen eight months ago; has gone well fresh in the past; others appeal more all the same.

10/1

5

(6)

25th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Newmarket

First Officer

9st 8lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Beat three rivals over 1m4f on the July Course here (good to firm) under Alexandra Egan in midsummer; comfortably held in three outings since but has dipped back to that successful mark.

6/1

4th

4

(2)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Newmarket (July)

First Officer

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Beat three rivals over 1m4f here in July since when he's been comfortably held; on the plus side, he might appreciate this belated return to 1m6f as he does have form over this far.

5/1

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

9th

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

17:20 Clonmel

Loyal Touch

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Five-time Flat winner is rated 70 in that sphere; beaten 21l on hurdling debut at Down Royal recently; can do better.

14/1

10th

3

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

13:35 Down Royal

Loyal Touch

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

One of two runners for yard; five Flat wins when trained in UK; regressive for this yard, though running well at times; could go well on hurdles debut if jumping holds up.

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

1st

7

(8)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

15:20 Brighton

Gallant Lion

9st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Ian Williams

1m2f win here (good to firm) kicked off a four-timer in 2023 for Tony Carroll but he took a while to rediscover his level before scoring at Chepstow (1m4f, good; first-time blinkers) for this yard one year ago; raced mainly over further without success since and latest start over 1m can be written off; handy mark and he's not discounted on just his second visit to Brighton.

9/1

11th

5

(1)

7th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Gallant Lion

9st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Beaten 11l when fifth in a maiden hurdle at Hereford three weeks ago; only 1lb higher than for his win at Chepstow (1m4f, good) last May but will likely find this trip on the sharp side on his switch back to the Flat (all wins over 1m2f or further).

14/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Gallant Lion

11st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Ian Williams

Some notable Flat form last year, in victory and defeat; two runs over hurdles last February were underwhelming but raw ability is respected.

10/1

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

7th

2

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last November; finished a long way behind Sea Of Kings at Doncaster on his return to the Flat four weeks ago; others appeal more.

12/1

6th

3

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Mark Walford

Ended his time with Adrian Keatley below par last autumn but a winner over fences at Southwell for his new yard before being pulled up at Market Rasen in December; needs to bounce back after a layoff.

16/1

+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