August 23 / 14.05 Goodwood

14.05

Good

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
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Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 165001 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Defied top weight in similar event at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) last time, bouncing back to form and taking record to 5-15; still favourably treated on best AW form and may remain competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(5)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Royal Zabeel

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

Listed winner (6f) on AW; showed himself to be smart on turf too with a 7f handicap win at Newmarket last month; wouldn't judge him harshly on his Bunbury Cup defeat five weeks ago, racing away from the main action and still in front 1f out; 4lb lower today and he looks a big player for last year's winning connections.

8/1

10th

1

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Royal Zabeel

10st 3lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Respectable fifth in this year's Victoria Cup; prevailed last Saturday to take C&D record to 2-2 and overall strike-rate to 7-23; incurs 6lb penalty but Conor Whiteley takes off a useful 5lb; major player.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 863601 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Strong record at Goodwood includes wins in this race in 2023 and festival event (1m) last time; Cian Horgan's 5lb claim is helpful off revised mark but the forecast ground isn't (ideally needs softer than good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(1)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:00 Epsom

Rhoscolyn

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

On a reduced mark and this two-time C&D scorer can't have the ground soft enough; not at his best at Goodwood on Saturday.

6/1

8th

12

(9)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Goodwood

Rhoscolyn

8st 6lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: David O’Meara

Well suited by ground softer than good; six-time winner at Goodwood and had an excuse (unsuitable conditions) in most recent course start; doesn't have the prettiest form figures this term but he has slipped to a very attractive mark; record in this race reads 3100.

11/2

Form: 7-4790

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Always behind in the Stewards' Cup here most recently and losing spell goes back to 2023; however, well handicapped on best sprinting form and some of his 2025 efforts suggest this new trip is worth exploring.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(9)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Goodwood

Purosangue

9st 6lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Robert Cowell

No win since 2023 but he has raced mainly over 5f for new yard and may show the benefit of this return to 6f; attractively treated on plenty of form and can't be dismissed.

7/1

8th

2

(10)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Purosangue

9st 12lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Robert Cowell

He hasn't won since a Listed success at York (6f, soft) in October 2023, but he's started for Robert Cowell with a trio of creditable efforts in competitive handicaps; could click for this yard at some point.

15/2

5th

3

(5)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

19:28 Newcastle (AW)

Purosangue

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Robert Cowell

He hasn't won since a Listed success at York (6f, soft) in October 2023; in the meantime he has often attracted support, favourite in the 2024 Stewards' Cup and last season's Ayr Gold Cup; two perfectly creditable efforts for Robert Cowell this year and he showed promise in one Tapeta run last spring; not discounted for a trainer who runs four.

6/1

Form: 842711 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Two from two since wearing blinkers, namely 7f wins at Glorious Goodwood (good) and Chepstow (good to soft); still unexposed over this trip and may improve further in the retained blinds; major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Newbury

Great Acclaim

10st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

7f specialist, not beaten far in Ascot's Victoria Cup (good) and Buckingham Palace Stakes (good to firm) in first half of this year; never able to challenge over same C&D last time; this is less competitive and he should be thereabouts.

9/2

9th

3

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Great Acclaim

9st 12lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Merely mid-division behind Aalto in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket a fortnight ago but this C&D brings out the best in him, as evidenced by this season's close-up finishes in the Victoria Cup (good) and Buckingham Palace Stakes (good to firm); could be bang there now back at Ascot.

16/1

8th

4

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Great Acclaim

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Ran well, only a neck behind Elarak, in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot to maintain his solid record in headgear; good second in the Victoria Cup the time before; threatening to win a big prize; shortlisted.

6/1

Form: 2-3161 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Similar type to Royal Zabeel, being a last-time scorer whose strike-rate is 5-15; did it well at Chester (7f, good to firm) and another rise in the weights is almost offset by Jack Dace's 5lb claim; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(5)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:52 Chester

Palmar Bay

10st 2lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Ralph Beckett

Won the corresponding race 12 months ago off a 10lb lower mark; as good as ever when fourth of eight at Wolverhampton (7f, Listed) in March but has found it tougher going since; apprentice's claim is useful but he still has little margin for error off this mark.

9/1

8th

3

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Palmar Bay

9st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ralph Beckett

Comfortable winner of a C&D handicap (good to firm) last August; better than ever when a close fourth in a Listed event at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in March but he's been well held in both subsequent runs and latest was in a C&D; has bit to prove again and this looks a tough task on the figures.

14/1

Form: 320386

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably in the Glorious Goodwood contest won by Great Acclaim but extended his long losing run, whereas that rival is now seeking a hat-trick; no certainty to reverse the placings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(7)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Newmarket

Billyjoh

8st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

His losing sequence goes back 22 races to February 2024; however, he's often run well in the interim and he's been given a bit of help from the handicapper ahead of this reappearance; can be in the mix if fully tuned up.

10/1

8th

11

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Billyjoh

8st 10lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

5yo whose 31 starts have been at 5f-7f and his losing spell goes back to February 2024; however, he's run many big races in the interim, most recently at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) in August when finishing strongly for a share of third, and on that evidence this first crack at 1m is well worth a go.

8/1

Form: -26873 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Best form this season when placed twice at Haydock, including latest start; still on a workable mark but continues on a long losing sequence, which makes him a similar type to Billyjoh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Goodwood

Gorak

9st 0lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Best form this season when placed twice at Haydock, including latest start; still on a workable mark but continues on a long losing sequence, which makes him a similar type to Billyjoh.

16/1

3

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Haydock

Gorak

9st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Charlie Fellowes

Record over C&D includes a success in May 2023 and solid second on reappearance this term; disappointing favourite here on penultimate start and losing run is mounting up; best form certainly gives him a good chance off current mark back down in grade.

7/1

11

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Gorak

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Fellowes

Disappointing favourite at Haydock last Saturday, extending his long losing sequence; beaten twice in this contest (seventh in 2023, well held in 2024) and can be opposed.

33/1

Form: 2-1511 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Held on narrowly, having hung briefly left, in 3yo handicap over 7f at Glorious Goodwood to take record to 3-5; this well-bred colt may improve further, provided he takes to first-time headgear; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(2)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Mudbir

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

The winner of three of his seven starts; sent off the red-hot favourite for Ascot's Victoria Cup last month but he failed to fire, finishing 22nd of the 28 runners; gelded soon after and he remains capable of better.

5/2

32

(9)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Mudbir

9st 1lb

T: John & Thady Gosden

Reserve; hindered by traffic issues in his final start of an otherwise progressive 2025 season that featured a Glorious Goodwood win (7f, good to soft); disappointing favourite in the Victoria Cup over C&D on reappearance but has possibilities if a physical tweak (gelded since) works a treat.

9/1

22th

16

(19)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Mudbir

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Well-bred colt whose record of 3-6 overall and 2-3 in handicaps (7f) features a narrow win at Glorious Goodwood; hindered by traffic issues at same venue when last seen (effort best forgiven); cheekpieces worn that day are retained; beat Defence Minister by half a length at Sandown last July; still open to further progress and remains of strong interest.

11/2

Form: 791094 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Best form this term at Thirsk, namely success in May and creditable effort (despite tardy start and traffic issues) last time; capable of being involved, albeit is far more exposed than some of these rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(15)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Goodwood

Darkness

8st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has several pieces of Goodwood form, including a success (off 1lb higher) in this race last year and resurgent effort (made good late progress from difficult position) in latest crack at the Golden Mile; inconsistent otherwise this season.

10/1

6th

21

(17)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Darkness

8st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David O’Meara

Registered one of his 2025 wins at Goodwood, off current mark to boot; however, broadly out of sorts this term and needs to stage a revival; creditable fourth in this race in 2023 and 2024 but was in better form both times.

40/1

12th

2

(9)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Darkness

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has won over 1m but raced mainly at 7f; not solid on 2026 form and he came up short when a 50-1 shot in big field at York most recently; opposed in another competitive race, back up in trip.

25/1

Form: 2213-1 D

Last run: 134 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Sole outing this season resulted in ready success at Newbury (7f, good; 3yo handicap) in April, taking form figures to 22131; looks the type to progress further; respected on return from another layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Newbury

Back In Black

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Useful handicapper, runner-up in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in July; however, well beaten at Ascot since and now faces a much higher calibre of opposition.

33/1

10th

8

(3)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Back In Black

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Admirably consistent in defeat this term and he was a close second to Aalto in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) recently; races off the same mark today (due a 2lb rise) and could again be thereabouts.

13/2

2nd

9

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Back In Black

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Reliable sort, this year over 7.5f/1m since being gelded; second on Newcastle AW with tongue-tie fitted last time; has gained both wins over a bare 7f; strong claims back down in distance.

9/2

Form: -74301 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Prevailed by a neck in festival contest (1m) three weeks ago, taking Goodwood record to 2-3 (0-7 elsewhere); possibly not crying out for this return to 7f, however, and it's a step back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(4)

3rd Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:24 Salisbury

Principality

10st 1lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

He's added two wins at about 1m (good and good to firm) this year and wasn't seen to best advantage at Goodwood on Sunday, unable to get a clear run until the birds ahead had flown; capable of better on this quick return.

7/1

4th

3

(3)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:00 Goodwood

Principality

9st 12lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Raised only 2lb for his wins at Nottingham in May and Newmarket last time, so looks likely to remain competitive, especially as he's a dual Goodwood scorer.

11/2

1st

6

(1)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:37 Newmarket (July)

Principality

9st 10lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

His wins have come on good or heavy ground but he's effective on good to firm; has been and up down since his win at Glorious Goodwood last summer but he scored at Nottingham (8.3f) in May and backed that up with a creditable fifth in a big field at Epsom the following month; returns after a short break but he could go well on this drop back in grade.

6/1

Form: 038462

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Similar type to Purosangue, being a sprinter who hasn't won since 2023 but remains favourably treated on peak form and now attempts 7f for first time; gelded prior to encouraging effort at Windsor last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(1)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

17:10 Sandown

Zoulu Chief

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Heather Main

All four wins at 6f but was a good third over 5f at Ascot last spring and the way he travelled in the lead for a long way in a competitive 6f handicap at Newmarket last weekend suggests he should be fine back at the minimum trip; well drawn to attack against the rail but any easing of the ground may not help his cause (best form on good/good to firm).

10/1

9th

1

(10)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:09 Newmarket (July)

Zoulu Chief

10st 2lb

J: George Bass

T: Heather Main

All four wins at 6f and not on an impossible mark even with top weight; however, he's not easily trusted after his last two efforts.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £262.70
Straight Forecast £154.13
Tricast £821.32
Trifecta £1260.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Mudbir

SPOTLIGHT:

Back In Black

RP RATINGS:

Purosangue

Daily Mirror:

Great Acclaim

The Guardian:

Rhoscolyn

NEWMARKET:

Mudbir

The Times:

Mudbir

Daily Mail:

Mudbir

The Sun:

Mudbir

Telegraph:

Back In Black

D Express:

Back In Black

Daily Record:

Back In Black

TOPSPEED:

Purosangue

The Star:

Great Acclaim