March 18 / 18.00 Kempton (AW)

18.00

Standard To Slow

Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Clear

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 5072-1 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Went down by a nose on sole nursery start at Newcastle last year and overcame widest stall to go one better at Wolverhampton 40 days ago (both 7f; gelded in between); major claims up 3lb with Oisin Murphy booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(1)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Newbury

Lion Of Mali

9st 3lb

J: David Egan

T: James Fanshawe

All four wins have been at 7f; admirably consistent and the winner got first run on him last time at Newmarket (good to firm); has finished first and second under the returning David Egan; every chance once more.

11/4

2nd

5

(4)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:23 Newmarket (July)

Lion Of Mali

8st 11lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: James Fanshawe

Likeable 7f specialist (all four wins at this trip); just edged out by Sierra Sands over C&D three weeks ago; holding his form really well and should be in the thick of things again.

100/30

2nd

9

(1)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Lion Of Mali

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: James Fanshawe

Made it 3-4 for the year when winning at Leicester (7f, good to firm) in April and bounced back from a lesser run on soft ground with another win at Sandown last month (7f, good; Kimbara second); had just half a length to spare but he had to wait for a clear run and all of his wins have been by narrow margins; could still be ahead of the handicapper up 3lb.

9/2

OUR TIP

15/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 61324- BF

Last run: 180 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Very narrow win on nursery debut at Newbury (6f) then twice highly competitive (6f/7f); last race perhaps came too soon; could bounce back, with real hope for AW on breeding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(3)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

17:15 Epsom

French Affair

9st 12lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Jennie Candlish

Record of 1-13 for Richard Hannon but he won on his stable debut at Glorious Goodwood before following up with a last-gasp success at Redcar (both 6f on good to firm); up another 3lb but he's on a roll and is effective on slow ground including heavy; big player again back up in trip.

5/4

1st

1

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

17:31 Redcar

French Affair

9st 13lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Jennie Candlish

Record of 1-13 for Richard Hannon but he made a bright start for his new yard when beating 25 rivals at Goodwood (6f, good to firm) last Wednesday; up 4lb for that narrow success but he did well to overcome trouble and is a major player again on this drop back in grade.

13/8

1st

26

(15)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

French Affair

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jennie Candlish

Has drawn a blank since his 6f nursery debut success at Newbury last year but he did go close in 20-runner York handicap (7f, good) in May; bit below that level in two 7f outings last month but new connections went to 55,000gns to acquire him recently and Billy Loughnane has been booked.

10/1

Form: 16563-

Last run: 140 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Heavily backed when beating three rivals on nursery debut at Ffos Las last year and duly followed up at Doncaster (both 6f); good third over C&D when last seen but suspect others are open to more improvement; cheekpieces quickly discarded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(6)

27th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Dublin Bay

9st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ollie Sangster

Made just about all for his two wins at Wolverhampton (7f, Tapeta) in the spring, but was raised 10lb for his 7l romp there last time and may face competition for the lead on this return from three months off.

5/1

1st

2

29th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

19:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dublin Bay

9st 9lb

T: Ollie Sangster

Improved for the switch to nurseries last summer, winning easily at Ffos Las and Doncaster (both 6f) before finishing off strongly for sixth in a much stronger race at York's Ebor meeting; better than ever when winning a C&D handicap in April and his subsequent fifth of 19 at Ascot was in a Class 4; could still rate higher; key player despite a wider draw than ideal.

9/2

8/1

Form: 20442-

Last run: 134 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Just about a PB when going down by a neck over 6f at Lingfield last time (well backed); return to 7f looks a good move and he has reasonable claims of going one better off 1lb higher, particularly if gelding operation has the desired effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(8)

30th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

17:10 Yarmouth

Ecclefechan

10st 0lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: John Ryan

Got up to beat the favourite with the pair clear last week at Windsor (1m, good to firm) and he's unexposed at this trip; may well defy the penalty but softening ground could complicate matters.

3/1

1st

1

(5)

24th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 6

18:48 Windsor

Ecclefechan

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: John Ryan

0-15 but he wasn't discredited when a staying-on third of six in 5f Musselburgh handicap 17 days ago; has his stamina to prove over this markedly longer trip, though.

8/1

3rd

6

(2)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

15:50 Musselburgh

Ecclefechan

8st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Ryan

14-race maiden; second in a C&D novice in 2025, but has raced mainly over further since; beaten over 7l back over 5f at Newmarket last time; bit to prove.

25/1

Form: 02236-

Last run: 180 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Two good seconds in maiden company (both 7f) but went backwards in nurseries, finishing two places and over 4l behind a slightly disappointing French Affair last time; others appeal more on AW debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(8)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:48 Epsom

Eyes Front

9st 8lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Edward Smyth-Osbourne

Kept on well to score over C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago, opening his account at the 12th attempt; subsequent 3lb rise does not look excessive and he ought to be right in the thick of things again.

3/1

1st

2

(6)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

19:50 Epsom

Eyes Front

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Edward Smyth-Osbourne

0-11 but he has shown winning potential and he wasn't beaten far over C&D two weeks ago; another bold bid expected.

4/1

4th

2

(6)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

20:40 Epsom

Eyes Front

9st 8lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Edward Smyth-Osbourne

Probably started handicap life on a demanding mark and he'd dropped 10lb before going down by just under 2l when fifth of 15 at Doncaster (7f, good) in first-time blinkers on latest outing; hit the front over 1f out that day but wandered under pressure; needs to see it out better.

6/1

Form: 00511- D

Last run: 155 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Different proposition when switched to nurseries last year, winning comfortably at Southwell (6f) and Lingfield (7f) under Finley Marsh; highly likely has more to offer at three; trainer took a division of this in 2025.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(9)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Sandown

Kilkenny Warrior

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Richard Hughes

Won his first two nurseries on the AW (6f/7f) last autumn, but the handicapper has been in charge since; still 6lb above her last winning mark and has a bit to prove back on turf with cheekpieces fitted.

14/1

6th

4

(1)

11th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kilkenny Warrior

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Well treated when entering nursery company last autumn, twice winning easily (6f-7f); tougher going off her revised mark this spring but her latest effort, and the dam's side of her pedigree, gives hope this longer trip will be within range.

7/1

3rd

1

(6)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

16:45 Lingfield (AW)

Kilkenny Warrior

9st 9lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Richard Hughes

Ended 2025 with nursery wins at Southwell (6f) and Lingfield (7f); shaped as if the run was needed after five months off when seventh at Kempton (7f) last month and can get back on track here.

12/1

Form: 41- D

Last run: 181 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Only had to do what he did at Ascot on debut (6f; fourth of five) to open his account over this trip at Chelmsford last time; has undergone wind surgery since (yard 4-11 with horses running for the first time following such a procedure) and he enters handicaps off what looks a fair mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(2)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Acclaimed Freedom

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: George Scott

Newly gelded; had excuses with one thing and another this year; this mark looks within range and there are positives back on the AW, and under Oisin Murphy, who boasts a decent record for the yard; shortlisted.

3/1

6th

4

(8)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

19:50 Epsom

Acclaimed Freedom

9st 7lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Scott

Low-mileage 3yo who went close when dropped back to 6f at Windsor (6f, good to soft) last month and also ran well when fourth at Nottingham (6f, good to firm) on Saturday; might be better by a stiffer 6f than this but could have a say if aided by refitted cheekpieces.

7/2

Form: -11251 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.00
Straight Forecast £17.67
Tricast £91.52
Trifecta £75.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Hardstyle

SPOTLIGHT:

Kilkenny Warrior

The Times:

Lion Of Mali

NEWMARKET:

Acclaimed Freedom

Daily Mail:

French Affair

RP RATINGS:

Eyes Front

Daily Mirror:

Hardstyle

The Sun:

Hardstyle

Daily Record:

Acclaimed Freedom

LAMBOURN:

Kilkenny Warrior

The Star:

Kilkenny Warrior

Telegraph:

Lion Of Mali

The Guardian:

Lion Of Mali

D Express:

French Affair