March 18 / 18.30 Kempton (AW)

18.30

Standard To Slow

Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap

  • Prize money: £13400.4
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Clear

OUR TIP

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2023-7 CD

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
James Doyle is 5-5 on him, three of those successes coming in this race (2023, 2024 and 2025); he's 2lb lower than last year but weakened into last place when back in a handicap over track and trip ten weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(3)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Thirsk

Mount Athos

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Tate

Running in this for the third time, finishing second in 2023 and 2025; on both occasions he arrived on the back of a 7f win at Kempton and he landed that same race yet again 23 days ago; should give it another good shot.

7/2

1st

1

(2)

18th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Mount Athos

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Tate

James Doyle is 5-5 on him, three of those successes coming in this race (2023, 2024 and 2025); he's 2lb lower than last year but weakened into last place when back in a handicap over track and trip ten weeks ago.

7/2

6

(3)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 1

15:33 Haydock

Mount Athos

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: James Tate

Listed winner at Deauville (7f, AW) last November and defied lofty mark in Kempton handicap (7f, AW) in March; also effective on turf and was second of six in a good conditions race at Thirsk last month; however, this 6yo needs to be better than ever if he's to take this.

22/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 6/121- CD

Last run: 113 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Ridden forward and improved each of his three starts last year, achieving a first and second over C&D before seeing off Serengeti at Wolverhampton (also 7f); looks set to make an even better 4yo and prove tough to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(11)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

14:35 Haydock

Sarab Star

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

His latest Newcastle defeat isn't the run to judge him on and he had been progressing well beforehand; no problem with the return to turf and stepping back up to 7f will be of benefit; interesting with cheekpieces now given a go.

9/2

13th

8

(1)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Sarab Star

9st 3lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jack Channon

Unexposed and progressive handicapper who has two wins and two seconds to his name from four AW appearances; lost little in defeat at Kempton 16 days ago when chasing home a smart rival who was winning the race for the fourth time; a stiff 6f should be fine but stall 1 might not be beneficial given the forecast of a brisk crosswind; stable also runs Ferrous.

7/1

2nd

5

(1)

18th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Sarab Star

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

Ridden forward and improved each of his three starts last year, achieving a first and second over C&D before seeing off Serengeti at Wolverhampton (also 7f); looks set to make an even better 4yo and prove tough to beat.

7/4

3/1

Form: 003-41 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Beat very good yardstick in Popmaster for fourth AW win from just eight tries at Lingfield 19 days ago (1m; ridden by Jack Callan for the first time); up just 3lb, and no issue with this shorter trip, but he's never been to Kempton and trainer is just 1-14 here last five years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(10)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

Apiarist

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent sort who made it 1-20 on turf (that grass win came here in 2yo campaign) when well beaten at Royal Ascot last month; however, two starts ago he was a close sixth in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) when he was denied a clear run, and he's not ruled out.

7/1

18th

12

(18)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Apiarist

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Eye-catcher, amid traffic issues, in the Thirsk Hunt Cup last time; form over C&D comprises a respectable eighth (off current mark) in this contest last year and creditable third (did well having been hampered) later in 2025; still has a much better strike-rate on AW than on turf, however.

22/1

6th

4

(15)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Apiarist

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Three fine efforts on AW to start the year but his run of good form came to a halt when well behind Blue Rc at Newcastle over Easter; acts on turf but has a much better strike-rate on AW; drawn widest.

20/1

11/1

Form: 5410-4 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Doubled his tally at Sandown last August (7f) then pulled his chance away at Doncaster; just a fair return/AW debut over C&D three weeks ago and more is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(6)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Sandown

God Of War

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tom Clover

Won this race last year on soft ground and he's now 4lb lower; shaped well from unfavourable draw when seventh at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) two weeks ago; returning to 7f should suit, and rain would not inconvenience him in the slightest; wears headgear for the first time; big player despite unflattering form-figures.

5/1

7th

4

(10)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:37 Newmarket (July)

God Of War

9st 12lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tom Clover

Acts on fast and soft ground; hasn't been at the top of his game this season but he ran well when fifth at Chester (7.6f) in May and is now 2lb lower than for his Sandown win last summer; should be fine on this return to 1m and he's not ruled out back from a break.

9/1

Form: 0125-4 D

Last run: 76 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Dual winner (one Polytrack) over this trip for Aidan O'Brien; gave Sarab Star much the most to think about on first start for Dylan Cunha at Wolverhampton in November (7f) then not quite so effective over a furlong further on either outing since; starts out for another new yard (same owner) this evening.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Serengeti

9st 5lb

J: C Y Ho

T: Mike Murphy

Four runs for Mike Murphy have yielded three heavy defeats and a shock 1m2f win at Windsor in May; opposable on balance of form.

33/1

15th

19

(6)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Serengeti

9st 3lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Mike Murphy

In his third yard since leaving Aidan O'Brien last autumn; third run for current trainer when upped to 1m2f and tongue tied first time at Windsor (good to firm) last month, starting 50-1 in a six-runner race but leading 1f out and narrowly holding off two challengers; back up just 1lb but this is another new trip and it's a vastly more competitive race.

66/1

1st

3

(6)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Windsor

Serengeti

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mike Murphy

Not particularly solid on his 7f/1m form for a few yards since leaving Ballydoyle; chance largely depends on the effects of new trip and first-time tongue-tie.

14/1

Form: -51826 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Luke Morris gets on well with him (form figures together read 3315421) and he'll appreciate returning to 7f having finished five places behind Apiarist over 1m at Lingfield 19 days ago; wouldn't want a tactical affair, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(10)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Tiger Crusade

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David Simcock

Ten-time winner who scored at Lingfield (7f, Polytrack) in Janaury but he's not got involved in his last three starts; now 2lb lower than for that last success but he needs to rediscover his spark.

20/1

5th

2

(7)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Tiger Crusade

9st 7lb

J: Jack Dace

T: David Simcock

Consistent record round here (2-4 over C&D) and is back on the mark off which he won here in January; not in the same form of late, there's always a chance he'll blow the start and it's no certainty the race will be set up for him.

8/1

6th

3

(3)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tiger Crusade

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Simcock

C&D winner who gained his sixth success on the AW at Lingfield (7f, AW) in January; didn't quite see 1m out when sixth there in February and he never featured in a 0-105 at Kempton (7f) 22 days ago; will appreciate the drop in grade but he'll want a good gallop to aim at over this shorter trip.

8/1

12/1

Form: 10001- C

Last run: 130 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
First of three 2025 successes came here and was last seen beating 21 rivals to win at Doncaster; a useful 7lb was taken off on that occasion and others may be better treated here.
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

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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.60
Straight Forecast £6.29
Trifecta £18.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sarab Star

RP RATINGS:

Apiarist

TOPSPEED:

Mount Athos

NEWMARKET:

Serengeti

POSTDATA:

Tiger Crusade

The Guardian:

Serengeti

LAMBOURN:

Sarab Star

Telegraph:

Sarab Star

Daily Mirror:

Sarab Star

Daily Record:

Sarab Star

The Times:

Apiarist

The Sun:

Apiarist

The Star:

Apiarist

Daily Mail:

Mount Athos

D Express:

Mount Athos