September 02 / 17.18 Goodwood

17.18

Soft

Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £6621
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 210336

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Seems fine from 5f to 7f and his only previous run on soft was in a Curragh maiden (200-1); has twice performed well since his successful debut for this yard and the cheekpieces tried when below par last time are now left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(12)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Far Above Dream

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: James Owen

The winner of five of his 12 starts (5.7f-6f) since joining James Owen last summer; fourth and sixth in major handicaps on last two starts and it would seem highly likely that he will give his running once again; appears to handle any ground.

9/1

6th

17

(23)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Far Above Dream

9st 3lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: James Owen

Another success story for James Owen, progressing well in 2025 and continuing the good work this time around with wins over C&D and at Newbury (both good ground); another step forward when fourth in the Wokingham, an effort that can be upgraded, and he races off the same mark today; 3-3 over C&D and sure to be popular.

7/1

4th

17

(17)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Far Above Dream

9st 3lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: James Owen

Three of his last four wins have come at Goodwood (6f; heavy and good ground); probably not too track dependent as he won at Newbury in May but he has more to find on his first run at Ascot, off another career-high mark in a daunting race.

16/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 31220P D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
AW novice winner at this trip and second on handicap debut at Musselburgh (5f, good) in June; ran moderately at York later that month and was pulled up early last time at Doncaster; not yet exposed (and unraced on slow ground) and now fitted in a tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

1

(11)

28th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Thirsk

Topwarrior

10st 0lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Ralph Beckett

Progressive in 2025 and signed off with 6f success at Newbury in October; well below par in 6f handicaps at Epsom and Newcastle in June so needs to take a step forward after a break.

16/1

12th

11

(8)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Topwarrior

9st 4lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

The addition of blinkers saw him take a good step forward when comfortably seeing off 17 rivals at Newbury (6f, soft) last October; absent until Derby day three weeks ago where he was never a threat; the blinkers now return and dangerous to underestimate him.

14/1

14th

9

(11)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 2

17:55 Epsom

Topwarrior

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Record of 2-9 in his first season last year, winning in blinkers at Newbury (6f, soft) final outing; may improve further this term; a possible danger, provided the removal of headgear doesn't backfire.

8/1

Form: 22-252

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo who has form in the mud and the winner got first run when a 20-1 second over C&D (good) 11 days ago; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(8)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Goodwood

Rory Rocket

9st 12lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Second in the corresponding race 12 months ago when rated 4lb lower; three wins this year, the latest a runaway success at Brighton last month, but his progress has stalled on his last two starts; needs to raise his game again.

10/1

19th

16

(7)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Rory Rocket

9st 6lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Can miss the break and is usually ridden from off the pace; back-to-back wins over the extended 5f at Brighton this summer, the latter by a wide margin under Jude Fernandes this month; below-form third turned out under a penalty at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) four days later and another 4lb higher now.

20/1

3rd

1

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:05 Salisbury

Rory Rocket

10st 5lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Can miss the break and is usually ridden from off the pace; won a Brighton handicap (5.3f) by a wide margin on Tuesday for Jude Fernandes; that made it three wins from his last four starts and he is a leading player under his penalty.

4/6

Form: -37429 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Three wins at about 5f include one here; however, it was a forgettable run at the track 11 days ago when well behind Rory Rocket.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(1)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Goodwood

Kiss And Run

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

Won the corresponding race in 2024; up and down in 2026 and due to be 2lb lower from the weekend; needs to bounce back to take this.

12/1

5th

2

(4)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

17:20 Windsor

Kiss And Run

9st 12lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

11 races here include one of her three wins; no score since August 2024 and although her two minor honours this year give her a shout, she needs to bounce back from a lesser show when favourite here three weeks ago.

8/1

8th

3

(4)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

17:15 Windsor

Kiss And Run

9st 11lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

On a long losing run but she arrives in decent nick, ridden too aggressively when seventh of 12 over 6f here two weeks ago; this C&D winner is not out of things.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 000020 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Should be well handicapped but has sparked only once this season when runner-up at Ripon two runs back (6f, good; first-time cheekpieces); the AW might not have suited last time and he goes well on soft ground; hard to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

16

(19)

28th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Thirsk

Eye Of Dubai

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Scored at Ripon (6f) in September but yet to hit top form in four runs this season, beating only one back there (6f) 13 days ago; mark is plummeting but he still needs to take a step forward.

25/1

13th

9

(1)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Eye Of Dubai

8st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: John & Sean Quinn

His record over C&D reads 121 and he has slipped to a dangerous mark after three low-key runs in 2026; looks the type to revive soon but perhaps when faced with slower ground than he'll encounter today.

20/1

8th

1

(1)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

19:30 Hamilton

Eye Of Dubai

10st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John & Sean Quinn

He's failed to shine on both starts this season but is on a handy mark on last season's best form and is likely to get back on track sooner or later; today's drop back in grade could help in that regard.

10/1

16/1

Form: 04-060

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Listed winner during a busy 2yo campaign but well held at that level in her first two runs of this season and fared no better back in a handicap at Royal Ascot last time when tried in blinkers; handles slow ground but now has questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(2)

2nd Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:18 Goodwood

Englemere

9st 13lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

Listed winner during a busy 2yo campaign but well held at that level in her first two runs of this season and fared no better back in a handicap at Royal Ascot last time when tried in blinkers; handles slow ground but now has questions to answer.

16/1

17

(8)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Englemere

8st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Busy 2yo campaign yielded three wins, notably in Listed grade at Newbury in August (5f, good); unplaced in two Listed events this spring; dropped 3lb for her troubles but the first-time blinkers need to have a positive effect.

33/1

6th

2

(6)

1st May 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

19:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Englemere

9st 2lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: George Boughey

dwelt start, took keen hold, midfield

12/1

Non-runners

Think Of A Name

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.40
Straight Forecast £36.27
Trifecta £111.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rory Rocket

TOPSPEED:

Eye Of Dubai

D Express:

Think Of A Name

NEWMARKET:

Englemere

RP RATINGS:

Rory Rocket

POSTDATA:

Rory Rocket

Telegraph:

Rory Rocket

The Guardian:

Rory Rocket

Daily Mail:

Rory Rocket

The Star:

Rory Rocket

Daily Record:

Rory Rocket

THE NORTH:

Eye Of Dubai

The Times:

Eye Of Dubai

Daily Mirror:

Eye Of Dubai

The Sun:

Eye Of Dubai