August 30 / 15.15 Chester

15.15

Good

Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 0m 7f 127y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV
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Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 8-7722 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 8st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won over 7f here (good to soft) last August and runner-up in good 7f handicaps elsewhere on his last two starts (good to firm/good to soft); should be fine at today's distance and every chance he'll be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

3

(11)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Yanifer

9st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Harriet Bethell

Prominent racer; just 1lb higher than for last August's win at Chester (7.6f, good to firm); effective over C&D and last month's reappearance should have sharpened him up; suspicion he will prove vulnerable to younger rivals here though.

16/1

12th

1

(11)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Yanifer

10st 2lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Harriet Bethell

This is his first run since last October but he is capable of running well after an absence and he's been runner-up in the last two editions of this race (good to soft/good to firm); interesting candidate on return to action.

20/1

10

(3)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Yanifer

8st 12lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Enhanced his fine Chester record when a length winner there in late August (extended 7f; good to firm; acts on soft); the 4lb rise elevates him to a career-high mark which could be troublesome in this deep a handicap.

40/1

2nd
10 (7)
Hawksbill

6/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: -22092 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
3yo who returned to form with very close second to Sir Paul Ramsey at Haydock (1m, good) three weeks ago on his second run since being gelded; back up 4lb today but still of interest after that latest performance, provided conditions suit (unproven on slow ground); wears first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(8)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Hawksbill

9st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Richard Spencer

On a handy mark on last summer's peak efforts for Hugo Palmer; ran some fair races in Dubai for new connections earlier in the year; others appeal a bit more for win purposes.

10/1

13th

4

(9)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Hawksbill

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hugo Palmer

Campaigned mostly on good/firmer; record is only 1-11 but good seconds at Haydock (1m) and Chester (7.5f; cheekpieces applied) last month suggest his turn is near; one for the shortlist.

7/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 418089 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won this last year and made it 2-2 at Chester when scoring over C&D in May; his subsequent form elsewhere leaves something to be desired but the return to Chester could spark a revival and he's on his last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 2

14:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Two Tempting

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

He was making his seasonal debut when only fifth in this race 12 months ago but he's been kept on the go this winter and has been better than ever; suspicion others will prove better handicapped here though.

8/1

3rd

5

(7)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 1

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Two Tempting

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

He has been a fine servant to connections and added wins eight and nine to his tally in 2025, the latest a 1m handicap at Kempton in November; ran as well as he ever has when second to an upwardly mobile 4yo over C&D five weeks ago but even that effort will need bettering in this field.

16/1

Form: 761013

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Gained win number two when scoring narrowly from Hawksbill at Haydock (1m, good) this month and has since been a close third of 17 at York (1m, good to firm); from out of the handicap he's 4lb higher than at York but this progressive 3yo is drawn well in view of his prominent style and can make another bold bid; has shown promise on good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Ripon

Sir Paul Ramsey

9st 1lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Two wins last summer and he showed spark as recently as this April; he's dropped to a dangerous mark but has failed to shine on his last three outings and arrives with something to prove.

8/1

7th

1

(1)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

16:00 Pontefract

Sir Paul Ramsey

9st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Well treated on the form he showed last August, including win at Haydock and close third at the York Ebor festival; absent since finishing rather tamely over C&D two months ago.

13/2

Form: 0-7060

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Won 7f 2yo Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket last September; well handicapped on that form but he's found it difficult to get competitive this season, most recently well beaten at 40-1 in 7f handicap at Glorious Goodwood; a first-time visor replaces cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

(13)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

The Waco Kid

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Hugo Palmer

Group 3 win last season didn't help his handicap mark and this season is turning into a struggle, with this headgear combination tried last time at Chester.

33/1

5th

7

(6)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

15:15 Chester

The Waco Kid

8st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Hugo Palmer

Won 7f 2yo Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket last September; well handicapped on that form but he's found it difficult to get competitive this season, most recently well beaten at 40-1 in 7f handicap at Glorious Goodwood; a first-time visor replaces cheekpieces.

14/1

15th

1

(7)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Goodwood

The Waco Kid

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Hugo Palmer

Useful last term, the highlight a Group 3 win at Newmarket (7f, soft); has much weaker claims on 2025 form and still needs to prove he's trained on; admittedly may derive some benefit from the switch to a handicap.

20/1

Form: 64-709

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 5yo who hasn't been at the top of his game across his three starts this year; however, he didn't run badly over 6f at Hamilton last month and his best previous form has been at about 1m; no surprise if today's step back up in distance bears fruit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(10)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Crown Board

10st 1lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Pops up with the odd very big run, such as when capitalising on an easy lead at Chelmsford (1m, AW) last December; he's just 2lb higher today and is not ruled out but he's inconsistent and this is his first start since a heavy Group 3 defeat on dirt at Meydan in February.

16/1

3

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Crown Board

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

His easy win on his racecourse debut at Wolverhampton in December 2023 was foretold by the betting market; ran well in a Listed race (1m, good) here 12 months ago but he's enjoyed little success in handicaps this season; slowly edging down the weights but there are risks attached.

10/1

6th

5

(4)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

15:15 Chester

Crown Board

9st 0lb

J: George Wood

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Very lightly raced 5yo who hasn't been at the top of his game across his three starts this year; however, he didn't run badly over 6f at Hamilton last month and his best previous form has been at about 1m; no surprise if today's step back up in distance bears fruit.

20/1

Form: 607006

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
6yo who is without a win since August 2023 and his form has gone the wrong way this season; however, his recent sixth of 14 at Newcastle (7f, AW) was a step back in the right direction and he continues to drop down the weights; effective here in the past and is not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(14)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Witch Hunter

9st 7lb

J: John Fahy

T: Richard Hannon

Now 5lb lower than for his 1m win here in January and there have been excuses for several of his defeats since; plausible outsider.

20/1

19th

30

(3)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Witch Hunter

9st 0lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Defied a 5lb higher mark in the 7f handicap at this meeting three years ago and scored over 1m on AW in January; has lost his form, most recently finishing last in the Newbury event won by Classic; further Royal Ascot glory looks unlikely.

50/1

Form: 9-3930 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Unraced over quite this far and well beaten at Newcastle (7f, AW) recently having failed to settle; however, he was a close third in a handicap at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) last month and has a very strong record here, including a 7f Listed win last July; could have a part to play now back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(10)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

19:28 Newcastle (AW)

Al Shabab Storm

9st 12lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Smart on his day and his third at Wolverhampton (6f) last July saw him record an RPR of 115; down the field in two runs for Mick Appleby this year and he now drops to 5f for the first time in his career; tongue tied for the first time.

25/1

12th

2

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Al Shabab Storm

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Michael Appleby

Finished down the field on stable/seasonal debut at Chester (7.5f) this month but that doesn't tell the full story as he ran well for a long way from his wide draw and was hampered late on; he's dropped to an attractive mark and is just the type his new trainer does very well with.

14/1

12th

1

(10)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Al Shabab Storm

9st 12lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

Won a 7f Listed race here (good to soft) for Andrew Balding in 2024; still capable of smart performances for Marco Botti last year but wasn't at his best on final two starts, including in a course seller; sold for 45,000gns in October; a Group 1 entry at Royal Ascot suggests new connections are hopeful he retains all his ability.

12/1

5/1

Form: 113-10 CD

Last run: 70 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
2-4 in last year's 2yo campaign (including a win on good to soft) and he reappeared with a C&D win (good) in May; down the field in Royal Ascot handicap (1m2f, good to firm) since but this unexposed 3yo retains potential now back down in trip and is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(7)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

El Burhan

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Has a fine strike-rate on turf (4-8) including a win at this three-day meeting (7.6f, good) a year ago; would have gone closer with a clearer run when fifth of 13 in the Rosebery at Kempton (1m3f, AW) on his reappearance (Respond third); still open to improvement and rain wouldn't be a problem; major player.

4/1

5th

4

(11)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

El Burhan

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Won on reappearance at Chester (7.5f, good) last May and tapped back into that promise for a clearcut win at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) in September; up 6lb for this first run since and it's also his AW debut, but he probably retains potential.

5/1

12/1

Form: 920461

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Some big runs in defeat on turf this season and he won a competitive Racing League handicap at Newcastle (7f, AW) nine days ago; just 2lb higher today and could be in the mix if the extra yardage isn't an issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23th

5

(22)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Golden Mind

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Failed to beat a rival in Group race last time; seemed to run well in the Victoria Cup over C&D in his most recent handicap attempt but was always favourably positioned the way the race went and needs to prove he can back up the form; still on career-high mark.

25/1

8th

4

(2)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 1

13:30 Epsom

Golden Mind

9st 2lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

5yo who won three handicaps last year (including on heavy ground) and has been better than ever in such races this season, finishing second at Musselburgh (7f, good to soft) then fourth of 28 in the Victoria Cup at Ascot (7f, good); however, he has something to find against today's opponents.

14/1

4th

2

(23)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Golden Mind

9st 12lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Good second at Musselburgh (7f) with reappearance under his belt but is by no means certain to go one better off 103 in this deep field; has gained all handicap wins off marks in in the high-90s and still needs to prove he can break the triple-digit barrier.

25/1

Non-runners

Array, Thunder Roar, Flying Finn, Perfect Part

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £65.10
Straight Forecast £59.70
Tricast £424.67
Trifecta £578.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sir Paul Ramsey

LAMBOURN:

Two Tempting

The Guardian:

Hawksbill

RP RATINGS:

Witch Hunter

NEWMARKET:

El Burhan

D Express:

Flying Finn

Telegraph:

Al Shabab Storm

TOPSPEED:

Yanifer

Daily Mail:

Hawksbill

THE NORTH:

Sir Paul Ramsey

The Sun:

Sir Paul Ramsey

The Star:

Sir Paul Ramsey

Daily Record:

Sir Paul Ramsey

The Times:

Two Tempting

Daily Mirror:

Two Tempting

POSTDATA:

Witch Hunter