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

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

4

1st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Warwick

Arqoob

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Recently won on the Flat in first-time blinkers and then ran respectably in a valuable handicap at Doncaster; returns to hurdling in fair form and he's on a handy mark.

7/2

6th

9

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Arqoob

8st 13lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Lucy Wadham

53 races already (17 over hurdles) and six wins before he made his first appearance over 1m6f three weeks ago, winning it in good style in first-time blinkers at Newmarket (good to firm; acts on soft); only five ran in that race and he's gone back up 5lb but it could be argued that he's not fully exposed either in blinkers or at this sort of trip.

16/1

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

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

2nd

2

(5)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 4

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Midnight Rumble

9st 10lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Alan King

On a losing run but he comes here in good nick, coming out on top of the pace-setters when fifth of ten in 1m4f Wolverhampton handicap 39 days ago; he holds solid claims off a 2lb lower mark.

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