March 29 / 17.35 Kempton (AW)

17.35

Standard To Slow

Virgin Bet Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £11776.5
  • 1m 3f 219y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Mostly sunny

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 0/3552

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Placed on the first and latest of his four starts back on the Flat this year (stayed hurdling in 2024); his last Flat win was in 2022 but he went down by a nose over C&D on latest outing, coming from last of seven, so returns to calculations despite going back up 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Sandown

Arqoob

10st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Lucy Wadham

Gained most recent win last August; below par in the latest of his two starts this term but is interesting on historical data, having defied a 2lb higher mark at Sandown on Eclipse day four years ago; drops in class.

7/1

6th

2

(1)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Arqoob

10st 9lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Lucy Wadham

Two wins last year (1m4f/1m6f, AW/good to firm) and reappeared with close fifth of eight at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last month; Brodie Hampson is a positive booking; could build on that latest effort provided the reapplied cheekpieces aren't a negative (pulled up over hurdles when worn once previously).

11/2

5th

6

(8)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Arqoob

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Lucy Wadham

Exposed 8yo but he's still capable of useful form and scored at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last March; also won over 1m6f on the July course (good to firm; first-time blinkers) in August; returns on a stiff-enough mark with no headgear but they might go a solid gallop which can help.

14/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 31156- D

Last run: 171 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Placed in her two starts here (won a maiden on Tapeta); won two small-field handicaps over 1m4f on turf last summer before two backward steps in the mud; those should probably be forgiven and she needs a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(7)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

18:25 Newcastle (AW)

Billiegee

9st 7lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: James Ferguson

Tapeta winner as a 2yo; two 1m4f turf wins (small fields) last summer; returned to action with a good second at Kempton in March but absent since a lesser run in May; good record fresh and likely to be in the thick of it.

4/1

6th

3

(1)

5th May 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

15:45 Kempton (AW)

Billiegee

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: James Ferguson

Soft/heavy ground may not have suited on her final two runs last year and she was back to her best on her C&D comeback; fared best of those to race on the pace that day and is entitled to improve, given she'd been off for almost six months.

4/1

6th

3

(1)

5th May 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

15:45 Kempton (AW)

Billiegee

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: James Ferguson

Soft/heavy ground may not have suited on her final two runs last year and she was back to her best on her C&D comeback; fared best of those to race on the pace that day and is entitled to improve, given she'd been off for almost six months.

4/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -53531 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has popped up in front where it matters once in each of the last four years, doing so last June over C&D and last Saturday over 1m4f at Wolverhampton; back up 4lb today but did it smoothly last week and has each-way claims despite the step back up in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

11th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Aiming High

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: David Simcock

Wouldn't judge her too harshly on last two runs (met trouble on former occasion and then faced a stiff task from out of the weights latest); this more suitable and she's not discounted.

10/1

7th

9

(4)

17th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Lingfield (AW)

Aiming High

8st 2lb

J: Jack Dace

T: David Simcock

1m4f turf win here last September; ended 2025 with three AW defeats though and she looks booked for a struggle from 5lb out of the handicap in this useful event.

25/1

3

(1)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Aiming High

10st 0lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: David Simcock

Just 1-20 on turf but 4-17 on the AW including a win over C&D; raised just 2lb for last month's Lingfield success (1m4f, Polytrack) and likely to make her presence felt again.

3/1

Form: -1334U D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Unraced here but won at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) in January off 4lb lower; ran respectably last two completions (unseated leaving the stalls on latest outing) and has a place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(6)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

14:12 Newcastle (AW)

Knockbrex

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Narrow C&D winner (Class 4; 12-1) in November and, broadly speaking, has acquitted himself respectably since; stamina was likely overstretched at Wolverhampton (1m4f) latest; it's interesting that Jack Callan (1-1) returns to the saddle from just 1lb above that winning mark.

4/1

8th

3

(6)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Knockbrex

9st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Charlie Johnston

1m2f and 1m4f AW winner, including on Tapeta; backed up November's Newcastle success with a respectable third at Lingfield last month; was below that level at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) latest; drops 1lb and can be competitive if he acts at this track.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 61-3 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Poor on soft on debut last October but asserted in good style in a Wolverhampton maiden in December and backed up the form when third at Southwell (Sugar Road second) five weeks ago; tongue tied for those last two starts, over 1m4f on Tapeta; blinkers are added today after he wandered and carried his head awkwardly under pressure last time, which complicates the picture on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(14)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Java Raja

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

raced wide early, midfield, in touch with leaders after 3f, pressed leader after 6f, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

12/1

7th

6

(14)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Java Raja

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

raced wide early, midfield, in touch with leaders after 3f, pressed leader after 6f, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

12/1

5th

3

(2)

29th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

17:35 Kempton (AW)

Java Raja

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

in touch with leaders

9/2

Form: 5-6967 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
All six AW wins were on Tapeta, five at Wolverhampton, and he last scored in November 2023; continues back down the weights but has never finished better than fourth in six starts here and others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(6)

2nd Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Civil Law

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roger Teal

Five-time course winner, but he's never scored beyond 1m2f and his last success was in November 2023; well handicapped on his old form but he's been well held in last four starts and latest was over 1m6f here last month; opposable.

16/1

12/1

Form: 135-95 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Racked up the Polytrack wins (two here) in his time and he ended something of a drought with wins last May and July; Wolverhampton run three weeks ago was encouraging and he has each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(10)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Party Island

9st 8lb

J: George Bass

T: Denis Coakley

Bids for a hat-trick after two wins at Bath (1m2f, firm), beating Galaxy Wonder by half a length on the latest occasion; up another 2lb, but still a big player in his current mood.

5/1

1st

5

(1)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 5

16:23 Bath

Party Island

9st 4lb

J: George Bass

T: Denis Coakley

Most wins on the AW but it was his third success on the grass when coming home 2.5l to the good over C&D two weeks ago; defying the 5lb rise shouldn't be beyond him.

9/2

1st

5

(2)

27th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

14:30 Bath

Party Island

9st 6lb

J: George Bass

T: Denis Coakley

Has a better strike-rate on AW than on turf but he's in form, creditable third at Lingfield on Good Friday last time; gained last win off 5lb higher (in July 2024); shortlisted.

2/1

16/1

Form: 623-99 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
No Flat win since June 2022, with plenty of hurdling success in the meantime but he lost his form in that sphere last October/November; behind in two races back on Flat this month, admittedly over just 7f and 8.6f but connections also now have him tongue tied for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(5)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Enthused

9st 8lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Doesn't win too often on the Flat these days but he has been placed on his last two starts, chasing home Seraphic at Chelmsford four weeks ago (1m2f); each-way claims again.

4/1

3

(8)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Enthused

9st 10lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: James Owen

Prolific winning hurdler who opened AW account with clear win in amateur riders' race at Chelmsford in June; returned to the Flat with two below-par runs at Kempton this month, though, and has only dropped 1lb.

25/1

3

(8)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Enthused

9st 10lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: James Owen

Prolific winning hurdler who opened AW account with clear win in amateur riders' race at Chelmsford in June; returned to the Flat with two below-par runs at Kempton this month, though, and has only dropped 1lb.

25/1

Form: 434-2 BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Three starts last summer, notably third in 1m3f novice at Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta); put in his place by the winner when 5-4 favourite in another novice there (1m4f) five weeks ago after a six-month break, but beat the rest (Java Raja third) and could still bring potential to this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:35 Newcastle

Sugar Road

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

0-7 on the Flat and not much in three starts over hurdles, but he now switches to a handicap and is a possible improver on this step up in trip; needs watching in market.

7/1

4th

8

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

13:37 Ludlow

Sugar Road

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Middle-distance Flat maiden capable of mid-80s RPRs at his best for Andrew Balding, though has regressed gently since being gelded and can still race too freely and/or take a grip; hurdles and stable debut.

10/1

3

(6)

28th May 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

16:30 Hamilton

Sugar Road

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

Six-race maiden who has finished down the field in both handicaps and needs to raise his game; however, he showed promise in maiden and novice events and could get back on track for his good yard at some stage.

9/1

Form: 21226-

Last run: 190 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won at Lingfield (Polytrack) last June on the last of his three AW outings and twice runner-up on turf later last summer; all those were at 1m2f and he's unraced beyond that on Flat; 0-4 over hurdles in December-March but may be more interesting back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Midnight Rumble

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Much respected on his form for Alan King, for all that he was 1-22 for that yard; following a 30,000gns sale he ran okay over C&D on last month's stable debut, but no more than that.

10/1

5th

1

(1)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

14:53 Chester

Midnight Rumble

10st 0lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Sole win (22 races) was on AW in June 2024; five seconds on turf and bang there on AW (1m3f/1m4f) on last two starts before 30,000gns sale (left Alan King) in April, but this is the first time he's gone beyond that on Flat.

12/1

4th

8

(2)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

15:30 Kempton (AW)

Midnight Rumble

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Sole win in 1m2f Lingfield AW handicap nearly two years ago; has been running well since back on AW of late but it's pushing it to call him well handicapped in this competitive race.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £74.10
Straight Forecast £70.12
Tricast £528.98
Trifecta £433.40

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Java Raja

SPOTLIGHT:

Sugar Road

RP RATINGS:

Civil Law

Telegraph:

Knockbrex

POSTDATA:

Aiming High

The Times:

Java Raja

Daily Mail:

Java Raja

The Star:

Java Raja

LAMBOURN:

Sugar Road

Daily Mirror:

Sugar Road

Daily Record:

Sugar Road

The Guardian:

Knockbrex

D Express:

Aiming High

TOPSPEED:

Civil Law

The Sun:

Civil Law