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

11th

2

(13)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Stressfree

9st 12lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Not a prolific winner, with his waiting tactics, and never involved when 7-1 for last year's 1m4f Duke of Edinburgh at this meeting; however, it would be unwise not to recall his fourth in the Ebor at York last August (1m6f, good to firm) off a 1lb higher mark and he was unsuited by the steady pace at York last time out (1m4f); could get competitive should this pan out favourably; stable won this in 2022.

16/1

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

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

14th

13

(19)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Have Secret

9st 1lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April and respectable fifth of 15 to Warrant Holder over this C&D (good) in May; the return to Epsom maybe didn't suit latest (well beaten) but he needs to bounce back with a career best.

50/1

12th

12

(7)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Have Secret

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

6yo who has a career-high mark on the strength of his win at Pontefract (1m2f, good; acts on soft/heavy) in April; creditable fifth at York next time but the chief disincentive is probably that he ran poorly in this race last year on his only visit to Epsom.

25/1

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

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

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

3rd

3

(4)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Paddy The Squire

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Had a ball last year after being gelded, winning three of his six starts and as good as ever when a close fifth stepped up to 1m6f at Haydock in September; however, he is a 6yo and perhaps high in the weights now, a suspicion seemingly confirmed by his York run one month ago; there's no obvious significance in the return of cheekpieces.

22/1

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

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

2nd

3

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:45 Newmarket (July)

First Officer

9st 7lb

J: Sorin Moldoveanu

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Won under 7lb claimer in four-runner C&D race (good to firm) last July off 1lb higher; Yarmouth second one month ago and should be seriously involved.

9/2

2nd

6

(2)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 104y

Class 4

16:28 Yarmouth

First Officer

9st 0lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Goes on any ground; didn't run at all badly when fifth of ten at Salisbury (1m4f, good) 19 days ago having been off for eight months (has run well fresh); now 1lb below his last winning mark and considered.

9/1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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