March 18 / 20.30 Kempton (AW)

20.30

Standard To Slow

Virgin Bet Handicap (London Middle Distance Series Qualifier) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 2f 219y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap (London Middle Distance Series Qualifier) (Div II)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Clear

OUR TIP
1st
3 (8)
Solanna

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2362-5 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Form figures here when tackling 1m3f+ read 133122 and Rossa Ryan who, before today, is 5-18 (+8.88) for the yard in the last five years, gets the leg up for the first time; Wolverhampton isn't his track but he ran okay there off a break last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(7)

23rd Jun 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Ffos Las

Solanna

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: John Butler

7-32 on the AW and 2-19 on turf, but he has performed well on grass in his last two starts, latterly over 1m2f at Yarmouth where he didn't get the clearest of runs; respected.

11/4

2nd

3

(2)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

18:40 Yarmouth

Solanna

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: John Butler

Nine wins to his name, including C&D, and just 1lb higher than for March's narrow Kempton success (1m3f); two creditable efforts have followed but he could use the ground drying out if he is to add to his tally.

9/2

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -15765 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Signed off 2025 and began 2026 in winning form; like before, a mark in the 70s has proved tough of late but he showed a bit in a deeper race over track and trip two weeks ago; squeak; one of two runners for Tony Carroll.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(7)

4th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

16:55 Kempton (AW)

Tortured Soul

9st 6lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tony Carroll

10-32 on the AW and as tough as old boots, going down by less than a length in his last three outings including when beaten a short head over C&D in March; likely to be bang there once again.

13/2

2nd

6

(7)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Tortured Soul

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

C&D record is currently three wins and two seconds from five starts; most of his career wins have come in the winter but he continues in good form and has strong claims.

3/1

3rd

6

(8)

25th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:52 Lingfield (AW)

Tortured Soul

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Tony Carroll

All of his ten wins have been on AW and he had a near-miss over 1m3f at Kempton last Wednesday; on same mark here and he's a big player if he can repeat that form.

5/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 88-513

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Broke through under Callum Shepherd at Lingfield last month (1m4f); didn't find 9.4f at Wolverhampton or 1m2f at Lingfield, where he pulled particularly hard in an apprentice race, enough of a test either side; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

26th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Newmarket (July)

Seventy

10st 1lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: Ross Burdon

Building up a solid record for this yard, including one win on AW (this February) and two at Windsor (May and June); the latest win was in tidy style over almost this far 11 days ago and, although not well-in under his penalty, he has major claims again.

2/1

1st

6

(5)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

20:30 Windsor

Seventy

9st 4lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Ross Burdon

Building up a solid record for current stable and was beaten only narrowly by Mrembo over C&D (good to firm) last time when bidding for a Windsor double; major contender.

11/4

9/4

Form: 5-7312 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Broke through for Sir Mark Prescott at Lingfield in January (1m2f) and changed hands for 32,000gns after; achieved more in finishing runner-up over that track and trip 18 days ago and could have done with a stiffer test; a bold showing from his conqueror Sea Founder in the 7.00 would increase confidence; same mark here; Luke Morris, who knows him well, gets back aboard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(6)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 4

15:15 Yarmouth

Kings Hand

9st 7lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Joseph Parr

Not straightforward but he won at Lingfield (1m2f, good) last month and backed it up with a good second of four over C&D three weeks ago; should remain competitive.

100/30

2nd

2

(1)

28th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

15:53 Yarmouth

Kings Hand

9st 10lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Joseph Parr

Polytrack winner for Sir Mark Prescott in January; two good runs to start off his time with Joseph Parr and he took a step forward when seeing off seven rivals at Lingfield (1m2f, good) ten days ago; this is tougher under a penalty but he did well to overcome a slow start last time and he's still unexposed on turf; respected.

3/1

25/1

Form: 9-9556

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
This 10yo, who has won eight times, failed to beat a rival sole start here and same outcome at Chelmsford 25 days ago (typically pulled hard both times); one of two runners for Tony Carroll.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(2)

7th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

19:50 Brighton

Annexation

9st 2lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Has yet to score this year but is getting close, finishing second of eight over C&D (good to firm) last Tuesday; 8lb lower than for his two wins last autumn.

100/30

2nd

3

(7)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

16:13 Brighton

Annexation

9st 7lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tony Carroll

At the veteran stage and has finished unplaced in his last ten starts, but now 8lb below his last winning mark; could still have a big effort in him.

7/2

5th

3

(8)

26th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

16:30 Bath

Annexation

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Won twice on turf in the autumn of 2025, including C&D; well handicapped on that form and his last two efforts have been respectable; should go well with Rossa Ryan up for the first time.

4/1

7/1

Form: 13-415 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Finished two places behind Seventy over 1m2f at Lingfield 19 days ago, having won over the same track and trip under Harry Davies the time before; settling him early with a furlong further to race will be the key.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(5)

18th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Muy Muy Loco

8st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon Dow

Finished two places behind Seventy over 1m2f at Lingfield 19 days ago, having won over the same track and trip under Harry Davies the time before; settling him early with a furlong further to race will be the key.

7/1

5th

10

(8)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

13:42 Lingfield (AW)

Muy Muy Loco

9st 6lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Dow

Tricky customer but in good form over C&D lately, notably when sweeping from last (started slowly) to first three weeks ago; every chance of following up if in a similar mood, with a good chunk of his 4lb rise offset by Mason Paetel's claim.

3/1

1st

1

(7)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:05 Lingfield (AW)

Muy Muy Loco

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon Dow

Tricky customer but arrived on the scene late and fast to win a C&D handicap last October; held his form with respectable frame efforts here (1m2f) in both subsequent runs and has claims if he can find some extra spark.

9/2

13/2

Form: 3-6453

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Twice placed in first-time headgear over this trip at Southwell, most recently when sporting blinkers (retained) 18 days ago; this is tougher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:58 Newcastle (AW)

Arths Gold

9st 8lb

J: John Fahy

T: Richard Hannon

Capable of the odd howler but he opened his account in Southwell handicap (1m4f, Tapeta) in April and similar form when third in an amateur riders' race back there three weeks later; wasn't at his best in another amateur riders' race last time but he's recovered from blips before.

10/1

6th

5

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Arths Gold

10st 13lb

J: Mr James Hills

T: Richard Hannon

Finally opened his account at Southwell in April and he followed it with a solid third of eight there eight days ago; ought to be thereabouts again.

7/1

3rd

3

(8)

21st May 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:23 Southwell (AW)

Arths Gold

10st 13lb

J: Mr Simon Walker

T: Richard Hannon

A few near-misses around here before finally off the mark three weeks ago off 6lb lower (boasts a much better record on Tapeta than Polytrack); holds obvious claims under the vastly experienced Simon Walker.

2/1

25/1

Form: 42057-

Last run: 146 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Twice placed in France but leap of faith required to support on what we've seen in two British starts; reportedly made a respiratory noise when nibbled at last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(5)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newmarket (July)

Now The Eagle

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Luke Dace

Ex-French 4yo who is 1-7 for current connections, easily best of those outings all from off the pace over 2m on Kempton AW; five-day break was blamed when he tailed off on turf (2m, good to firm) on latest outing, but that still leaves him with something to prove.

6/1

7th

8

(1)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newbury

Now The Eagle

8st 12lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Ex-French; no questioning his stamina with the form of his last three starts at Kempton (2m, AW) reading 122; has something to prove under these conditions, though.

7/1

2nd

11

(10)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Now The Eagle

8st 12lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Won in April and creditable second early this month, both over C&D under Jack Dace; Gooloogong had his measure in no uncertain style in the latter race, however, and this ex-French 4yo needs to improve on those recent runs.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.30
Straight Forecast £38.95
Tricast £94.13
Trifecta £116.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

King's Hand

POSTDATA:

Tortured Soul

Telegraph:

Arth's Gold

NEWMARKET:

Seventy

The Guardian:

Solanna

RP RATINGS:

King's Hand

The Times:

King's Hand

Daily Mail:

King's Hand

Daily Mirror:

King's Hand

Daily Record:

King's Hand

D Express:

Arth's Gold

The Sun:

Tortured Soul

The Star:

Tortured Soul