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
ITV
View Course
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

10th

5

(9)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:52 Haydock

Rhoscolyn

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

8yo whose losing sequence is up to 15 following a disappointing run at Hamilton (1m, soft) last time; however, he was runner-up twice in a row prior to that (7f, good to soft/soft; including here) and is usually right at home on testing ground; he could bounce back with a big performance.

9/1

9th

6

(4)

28th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 3

15:29 Hamilton

Rhoscolyn

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Well suited by ground softer than good; ten-time winner, mainly at Goodwood, most recently in last year's Golden Mile off 12lb higher; has proved resurgent with second-place finishes over 7f the last twice, latest at Haydock; in the mix.

5/1

2nd

9

(12)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Rhoscolyn

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Given his fine record on slow ground at Goodwood he was thoroughly underwhelming there last weekend, but two days later he bounced straight back to finish second at Epsom (7f, good to soft); might run well again but he's hard to catch right these days.

7/2

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

4

(4)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 3

15:45 Yarmouth

Purosangue

9st 10lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Below form on last two outings and remains without a win since 2023 but started off for new stable with three good runs in April-June (5f-6f) and lurks on a dangerous mark; can't be ruled out.

12/1

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

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

13th

7

(14)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Great Acclaim

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Useful handicapper whose C&D record includes a creditable fourth in this race last year and a close third to Mezcala in June; however, he needs a revival of sorts, having not been in the same form since.

16/1

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

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

9th

4

(7)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:52 Haydock

Darkness

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David O’Meara

8yo who is 0-10 this year but he was a good third here (7f, soft) last month and also ran well when runner-up off this mark at Nottingham (1m, good to soft) last Wednesday; might not be far away.

15/2

4th

7

(7)

23rd Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Goodwood

Darkness

8st 11lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David O’Meara

Placed at Haydock last time; form at Goodwood features a success off 3lb higher last term and sixth of 18 in this year's Golden Mile; the 8yo is attractively treated and can't be dismissed.

5/1

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

20th

18

(20)

26th Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Principality

8st 11lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Made it two wins for the year when scoring on the other Newmarket course (1m, good to firm) last month and denied a clear run when close second off this mark at Salisbury (1m, good to soft) latest; up in grade this afternoon but this progressive 4yo is 2lb well in and is not ruled out each-way.

16/1

2nd

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

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

18th

2

(7)

2nd Oct 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Ascot

Zoulu Chief

11st 7lb

J: Mr Henry Main

T: Heather Main

His 2026 form is unconvincing; the step back up in trip may suit (last two starts at 5f) but not a solid option.

16/1

9th

9

(5)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:10 Ascot

Zoulu Chief

8st 10lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Heather Main

His 2026 form is unconvincing and the drop back to 5f didn't help at Goodwood last week; dropping down the weights but not a solid option.

25/1

+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