August 24 / 13.50 Goodwood

13.50

Good

Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
ITV4
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Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 414009 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Gained his wins in Ireland and during a spell in Bahrain; has struggled in Britain this summer and needs to derive significant benefit from this drop back in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(10)

24th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:50 Goodwood

Soldiers Empire

10st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Marco Botti

Gained his wins in Ireland and during a spell in Bahrain; has struggled in Britain this summer and needs to derive significant benefit from this drop back in class.

33/1

2

(8)

7th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Soldiers Empire

9st 7lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Marco Botti

Won in Bahrain (1m2f, good to firm) in March; returned from break with mid-division finish in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) and he was always in rear at York (1m2f) last month; dropped 3lb and this return to Polytrack is no problem but others are more compelling.

10/1

5

(4)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:10 York

Soldiers Empire

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Marco Botti

Won in Bahrain (1m2f, good to firm) in March; returned from break with mid-division finish in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month and this step back up in trip could help, but others are more compelling.

50/1

Form: 1-0011 CD

Last run: 92 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Last six attempts over 1m on turf have resulted in form figures of 121111, most recently justifying favouritism at Haydock (good) three months ago; 1-1 at Goodwood; very progressive and commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 135y

Class 3

19:20 Lingfield

Great Chieftain

9st 11lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Oliver Cole

Two 1m good-ground wins last spring include a defeat of Classic Encounter at Newmarket; creditable fifth of 16 at Meydan in January and although his return to these shores didn't go well when tailed off at Newmarket (raced too freely) in April, he's dipped below his last winning mark; considered.

9/2

9th

8

(3)

14th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Great Chieftain

8st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Oliver Cole

Good seventh of 23 here in the Cambridgeshire when second home on his side; not much went right on UAE debut at Meydan (1m, good) in January but he was a solid fifth of 16 over that C&D a fortnight later and is now back down to his last winning mark; C&D winner who looks a key player.

7/2

Form: B57660 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Has recorded his biggest wins abroad, mostly at Group level; far from solid on 2025 form and failed to beat a rival in handicaps the last twice; big revival required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Brave Emperor

10st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Did well on the AW in his younger days (112112) including a win over C&D, but not seen on an artificial surface since April 2023; showed a bit more when fifth of eight at Haydock (1m, good to soft) 12 days ago and is an interesting contender back on Polytrack; stable also runs Tempus.

9/1

1

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Brave Emperor

10st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Did well on the AW in his younger days (112112) including a win over C&D, but not seen on an artificial surface since April 2023; showed a bit more when fifth of eight at Haydock (1m, good to soft) 12 days ago and is an interesting contender back on Polytrack; stable also runs Tempus.

9/1

5th

2

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

15:05 Haydock

Brave Emperor

9st 13lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

Has recorded his biggest wins abroad, mostly at Group level; far from solid on 2025 form, latterly in handicaps; best watched unless the market speaks positively.

33/1

Form: 2-2096 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Ideally need good/softer; progressive last term and has performed creditably, despite being slowly away, on two occasions this season (latest at Glorious Goodwood); possibilities provided he breaks cleanly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

15

(7)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Tribal Chief

8st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David Menuisier

Five-time winner at about 1m; creditable third, despite traffic issues, in major handicaps at Doncaster and Ascot (7f) this term; possibilities off same mark back up in distance, provided this race pans out better.

4/1

3rd

19

(22)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Tribal Chief

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Menuisier

Useful handicapper at about 1m, winning five times; did well to finish third in the Lincoln at Doncaster in sole outing this term, having come from a difficult position; each-way possibilities, provided he copes with the drop back to 7f for first time since his early days.

8/1

3rd

18

(21)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Tribal Chief

9st 1lb

J: Sean Levey

T: David Menuisier

Inconsistent last season but he ran a big race first time up when runner-up at Newmarket (1m, good) and he won at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) in August; versatile ground-wise and he might not be far away on his reappearance, for a yard that won this in 2023.

14/1

Form: 1-462

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Had wind/gelding operations prior to running well in Thirsk handicap (1m, good to firm; neck second) this month; looks open to further progress, having raced only four times (won on debut); interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(5)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

Treble Tee

9st 9lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Soft-ground debut winner who comfortably landed a Doncaster handicap (1m, good) last September; still looks feasibly treated on that form but he's been beaten 11l and 18l in Listed events in his last two starts; has bit to prove after another break and he's untried on AW.

7/1

5th

4

(5)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:57 Doncaster

Treble Tee

9st 2lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Soft-ground debut winner who comfortably landed a C&D handicap (good) last September; failed to kick on subsequently and he's narrowly bottom of this pack on form, but this lightly raced 4yo may still have more to offer and he's the only course winner in the line-up; not discounted.

6/1

7th

7

(1)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Treble Tee

9st 1lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Close second in his first two handicaps, then improved to win at Doncaster (1m, good) in September in dominant fashion; the latter form was not repeated when just 8-1 for the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (good to firm) two weeks later but he still came sixth, perhaps stretched by 1m1f, and may still be open to progress; not dismissed.

5/1

Form: 322141 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Improving 3yo who registered a 5l success in Newmarket handicap (1m, good to firm) most recently, adding to his June maiden win; could well cope with 10lb rise the way he's going; major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23th

17

(10)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Mister Winston

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Overcame trouble to win by 1l at Epsom (8.5f, good to soft) on Oaks day, taking record since being gelded to 2-3 and overall strike-rate to 4-12; returns to a hotter handicap but he's improving steadily and 1lb well in under a penalty; not dismissed.

14/1

1st

3

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Mister Winston

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Unraced on ground softer than good; Chester maiden (7.5f) winner who made all on Newmarket's July course last August; had been gelded when successfully repeating those tactics on his comeback at Newmarket (also 1m) in April but below that form back there at the Guineas meeting the following month; not dismissed, with Oisin Murphy sticking with him.

6/1

6th

9

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Newmarket

Mister Winston

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Down the field when 33-1 in C&D Cambridgeshire last September, before being gelded; however, he was reliable and progressive earlier last season and reappeared with a front-running 1m win here (favourite) 18 days ago; has 5lb penalty (same as his revised mark) but needs plenty of respect.

4/1

Form: 4115-3 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Front-running third in Glorious Goodwood handicap (1m1f, good) on belated reappearance, running well while leaving the impression this drop back in trip will prove ideal; has progressive RPRs; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(20)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Linwood

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard Hannon

Has a progressive profile and made it three wins from eight attempts when easily making all at Newmarket (1m, good to soft) last November; subsequently gelded; a 10lb rise means he'll need another personal best but he's a low-mileage 4yo who may have more in the tank.

12/1

1st

3

(9)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Linwood

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard Hannon

Low-mileage 3yo who returned with cracking thirds in 1m1f/1m Goodwood handicaps in August; didn't find much after moving up looking a threat at Newbury (7f, good to soft) last month but the Goodwood efforts are solid and he's given another chance.

4/1

Form: 82223- D

Last run: 295 days

W: 9st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Veteran who went close in this race 12 months ago when in a consistent vein of form; absent since November but has gone well fresh; hasn't won since 2020, however; market may offer further guidance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(8)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Lingfield (AW)

Plantadream

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Karen Jewell

Veteran who finished runner-up in his only previous go over C&D, but that was in 2020; exclusively campaigned over 1m these days and is on a losing run of 23, so has enough to prove.

16/1

6th

11

(7)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Plantadream

9st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Karen Jewell

10yo whose losing sequence goes back 19 runs to 2020; ran some big races last season but seen only twice this year (both Goodwood), failing to build on comeback sixth (Linwood third) when down the field three weeks ago.

33/1

6th

11

(7)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Plantadream

9st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Karen Jewell

10yo whose losing sequence goes back 19 runs to 2020; ran some big races last season but seen only twice this year (both Goodwood), failing to build on comeback sixth (Linwood third) when down the field three weeks ago.

33/1

25/1

Form: 7-4730 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Always behind in Glorious Goodwood contest on second outing for new stable and still hasn't won on turf since 2021; may be more interesting when back on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(9)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:35 Newmarket (July)

Longlai

9st 7lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: George Baker

Won first time out twice in the past, which is a positive back from seven months off, although he's getting on now; a long time since he was seen regularly on turf and doesn't run at shy of 1m often, meaning others have more pressing claims.

16/1

14

(4)

8th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Longlai

9st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Had an AW double (one here) over about 1m last summer but his latest two outings for his new yard have been moderate; another furlong would have been preferable, even if leaving those efforts behind.

20/1

16/1

Form: -31115 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Ran as if something was possibly amiss last weekend on return from break; progressive otherwise in handicaps and scored over C&D in June, completing a hat-trick; difficult to write off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(6)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 4

19:10 Nottingham

Organ

9st 10lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Martyn Meade

All 12 runs have been on turf including three consecutive wins over 7f/1m (good/good to firm) in May and June of last year; right out of form in final three runs last season but he's got back on track this spring and was only beaten a nose at Chester (10.3f) last month; nudged up 2lb but he was clear of the third last time and is still unexposed at this trip; big player.

5/2

2nd

12

(6)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:10 Chester

Organ

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Martyn Meade

Completed a hat-trick over 7f/1m on good/good to firm in May and June last year; right out of form in August/September but reappearance fourth at Epsom (8.5f) nine days ago was a step back in the right direction; looks bred for 1m2f (has had one attempt) but may need a career best.

11/1

4th

1

(2)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 113y

Class 4

16:58 Epsom

Organ

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Martyn Meade

Completed a hat-trick over 7f/1m on good/good to firm across May and June last year; form tailed off markedly from August onwards but he returns just 2lb above his last winning mark; market support would bring him into the picture.

20/1

12/1

Form: 424711 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Made all in good-ground events over 7.5f and 7f the last twice but this is a different scenario; faces possible competition for the lead, goes back up in trip/grade and is on a career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

14

(18)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Ascot

Lunario

9st 5lb

J: George Wood

T: Luke Dace

Dual winner from the front last summer but has shown very little this season; tumbling in the weights but carries clear risks.

28/1

12th

12

(1)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newbury

Lunario

8st 11lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Won twice over shorter last summer; big prices and little to cheer this year; down in the weights but he has plenty to prove.

50/1

Non-runners

Epictetus

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £47.00
Straight Forecast £32.30
Tricast £122.10
Trifecta £246.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Linwood

SPOTLIGHT:

Treble Tee

LAMBOURN:

Great Chieftain

Telegraph:

Mister Winston

POSTDATA:

Tribal Chief

D Express:

Epictetus

TOPSPEED:

Longlai

NEWMARKET:

Treble Tee

Daily Mirror:

Treble Tee

The Times:

Linwood

The Guardian:

Linwood

The Star:

Linwood

Daily Record:

Linwood

The Sun:

Great Chieftain