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

10th

9

(7)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Yanifer

8st 13lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Harriet Bethell

Yet to fire this season but landed his third win here when successful in this race last year (good to firm) off 4lb higher; he has also been placed twice at this track and can never be written off around here.

7/1

4th

3

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

15:34 Haydock

Yanifer

9st 12lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Harriet Bethell

Prominent racer; now 1lb lower than for last August's win at Chester (7.6f, good to firm) but his two York efforts this summer have been underwhelming.

12/1

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

4th

11

(7)

20th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Hawksbill

8st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: Richard Spencer

Two quick runs at Glorious Goodwood three weeks ago, beaten only 2l when fifth of 20 on the Wednesday (7f, good to firm) then seventh of 18 in the Golden Mile on the Friday (good to firm) when he would have been closer with a clear run; it's possible he'll be involved; unproven on slow ground.

12/1

7th

18

(7)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Hawksbill

9st 0lb

J: George Wood

T: Richard Spencer

Ran encouragingly in a couple of races won by English Oak during his spell in Meydan and wasn't disgraced at Goodwood (7f) on Wednesday; however, still has a poor strike-rate as it's two years since his sole success; steps back up in trip/class.

25/1

5th

9

(8)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Goodwood

Hawksbill

9st 8lb

J: George Wood

T: Richard Spencer

Just one novice stakes win for Hugo Palmer but recorded plenty of good efforts, including when he split two subsequent Group winners in a 1m conditions race here (good) last May; didn't run badly in three of four starts in Meydan for this yard earlier in the year, but his British return from a 111-day break was underwhelming last month; might have needed that and he's not badly treated.

8/1

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

4th

1

(10)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Two Tempting

9st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

First of two wins over C&D came in this contest in 2024 off 4lb lower; had a fruitful AW winter campaign; reported to have met with a setback when being readied for Chester's May meeting and returned only when beating just one home in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) recently; has a high draw to contend with here and is 3lb higher than his last winning mark.

16/1

17th

7

(15)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Two Tempting

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Very consistent on AW since last turf appearance; respectable seventh, despite enduring a nightmare passage, in this contest two years ago but is 5lb higher and lacks recent match practice in this compensation attempt; absent since March.

33/1

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

1st

3

(12)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Crown Board

9st 12lb

J: Mme Frida Valle Skar

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

He has returned from the Middle East with fine efforts at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) and over 1m on the straight course here (good to firm) in July; should remain competitive under these conditions.

7/1

2nd

2

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Ascot

Crown Board

9st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Inconsistent but he's just 1lb higher than when making all at Chelmsford (1m, AW) last December and he returned from a break with an encouraging third at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) three weeks ago, when again making the running; might not face much opposition for the lead; chance.

13/2

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

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

6th

3

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Newbury

Witch Hunter

9st 10lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: Richard Hannon

Hard to predict; followed six duck eggs with a last-gasp win at Thirsk (1m, good) two weeks ago, only to run poorly again at Haydock last week; just 2lb higher than for the win but can't be relied on.

14/1

10th

2

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

16:40 Haydock

Witch Hunter

10st 2lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: Richard Hannon

Followed six duck eggs with a last-gasp win at Thirsk (1m, good) last Saturday under Seamus Cronin, capitalising on some leniency from the handicapper; nudged back up only 2lb; has possibilities if on another going day.

9/1

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

5th

3

(6)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:15 Beverley

Al Shabab Storm

9st 4lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Group 3 win on soft ground in Germany in 2024; chequered history since but the drop to 5f and fitting of a tongue-tie sparked a transformation at Newcastle in June, winning the Gosforth Park Cup in game fashion; not certain to be in the same form again but he won't be far away if he is.

12/1

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

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

8th

1

(4)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:15 Hamilton

El Burhan

10st 0lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Boughey

Four-time turf winner at up to 1m2f (good/good to soft), latest at Ayr last September; best of three runs this season when third at Southwell last time (1m3f); quite interesting on first try at 1m4f.

7/1

3rd

3

(6)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 2

20:26 Southwell (AW)

El Burhan

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

Has won four races and still looks to be improving; ran better than it looked when fifth of 13 in the Rosebery on his reappearance at Kempton (1m3f, Polytrack) in March and looked in need of a return to further when fourth of 11 at Chester (1m2f, good) in May; off three months, but has won fresh; high on list.

6/1

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

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

19th

3

(6)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Golden Mind

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Inconsistent but he is a smart performer, as when beating his 21 rivals at Doncaster last November (6f, heavy); raced exclusively at 7f since, with mixed results, but this mark isn't beyond him and a big run could be on the cards back down in distance.

50/1

15th

1

(14)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Golden Mind

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Below his best on his last two runs, most recently over C&D at the Royal meeting; has some good C&D form, however, such as when fourth in both this race last year and the Victoria Cup in May; not ruled out each-way.

50/1

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