March 25 / 19.30 Kempton (AW)

19.30

Standard To Slow

Virgin Bet Novice Stakes (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £6480
  • 1m 3f 219y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Novice Stakes (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Mostly cloudy

1/6 (Won)

  • Win: £1.15
  • Place: £1.02

Form: 1 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Superstar hurdler on his day and one of the best-known horses in training; having developed serious jumping issues, he was switched to the Flat in Southwell contest (1m4f) last month and showed his class by producing an impressive performance that is backed up by the figures; sets a tall standard en route to Group targets.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(4)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Constitution Hill

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Nicky Henderson

Superstar hurdler on his day and one of the best-known horses in training; having developed serious jumping issues, he was switched to the Flat in Southwell contest (1m4f) last month and showed his class by producing an impressive performance that is backed up by the figures; sets a tall standard en route to Group targets.

1/6

1st

3

(12)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Constitution Hill

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Nicky Henderson

Last jumps campaign started well but ended badly, as he took back-to-back falls at Cheltenham/Aintree and then laboured when he did complete at Punchestown; suffered another tumble on his reappearance in the Fighting Fifth in November, which has prompted this switch to the Flat in the hope of restoring confidence levels ahead of a possible bid to regain the Champion Hurdle crown he won in 2023.

7/4

5th

2

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:40 Punchestown

Constitution Hill

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

towards rear, overjumped 1st, soon went fourth, headway after 4 out, went third going okay 3 out, nudged along when jumped left and lost ground 2 out, soon no extra

11/10

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1- D

Last run: 179 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Gained his Southwell 1m4f success six months ago in a time over three seconds slower than Constitution Hill recorded over the same C&D last month; however, this once-raced gelding is open to progress and, being so unexposed, looks one of the brighter opponents to the Henderson star.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

(15)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Classical Allusion

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won Southwell maiden (1m4f, AW) on debut last autumn and best of the rest behind superstar hurdler Constitution Hill in Kempton novice (1m4f again) on his return in March; on the back of that he was sent off 11-10 favourite for his 2m Newbury handicap and turf debut three weeks ago but pulled too hard; retains potential back down in trip, but the outside stall has the potential to make life awkward.

10/1

5th

4

(6)

17th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

16:20 Newbury

Classical Allusion

8st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won Southwell maiden (1m4f, AW) in September on debut; second favourite to superstar hurdler Constitution Hill in Kempton novice (1m4f, AW) last month and chased him home 2l adrift, perhaps giving him more to think about than had widely been expected; not easy to pin down but 2m is plausible and his connections presumably like the look of his opening handicap mark.

2/1

2nd

2

(1)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Classical Allusion

9st 11lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Gained his Southwell 1m4f success six months ago in a time over three seconds slower than Constitution Hill recorded over the same C&D last month; however, this once-raced gelding is open to progress and, being so unexposed, looks one of the brighter opponents to the Henderson star.

9/2

66/1

  • Place: £6.00

Form: 2

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden hurdler; fared best of the rest behind easy winner at Wolverhampton (8.5f) last week on Flat debut, shaping as if this longer trip will suit; needs big improvement on form, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(4)

14th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Keep It Cool

9st 11lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Owen

Not as good as Star Artist over hurdles; been offering more on the Flat, appreciating the step up to this trip when having Star Artist behind in Constitution Hill's Kempton race last time; handicaps will likely be her time to shine after this.

5/2

3rd

8

(3)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Keep It Cool

9st 0lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Owen

Modest maiden hurdler; fared best of the rest behind easy winner at Wolverhampton (8.5f) last week on Flat debut, shaping as if this longer trip will suit; needs big improvement on form, however.

66/1

2nd

4

(4)

16th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Keep It Cool

8st 13lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Owen

Regressive, ex-Irish hurdler who's struggled in four runs for her new yard, who also saddle Laravie; will do very well to get involved.

33/1

Form: 62

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful, having shown best hurdles form with Grade 2 novice win; not in same league as Constitution Hill in that sphere and duly proved no threat to that rival at Southwell on Flat debut, finishing midfield; bagged a silver medal there (1m3f) since, however, and again has place claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(2)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Roadlesstravelled

9st 5lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Useful, having shown best hurdles form with Grade 2 novice win; not in same league as Constitution Hill in that sphere and duly proved no threat to that rival at Southwell on Flat debut, finishing midfield; bagged a silver medal there (1m3f) since, however, and again has place claims.

12/1

2nd

7

(2)

4th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 3

16:32 Southwell (AW)

Roadlesstravelled

9st 5lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Lightly raced hurdler with a Grade 2 win to his name in November 2024, but he signed off that campaign with two non-completions; returned from 356 days off with a midfield finish behind Constitution Hill on his Flat debut here over 1m4f 12 days ago.

10/1

6th

8

(6)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Roadlesstravelled

9st 6lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Lightly raced hurdler with Grade 2-winning honours in late 2024; signed off that campaign with two non-completions and this winning pointer makes Flat debut after nearly a year off; looks very vulnerable.

50/1

Form: 8

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Vastly inferior to Constitution Hill and Roadlesstravelled over hurdles; duly finished behind those two opponents at Southwell on the switch to this code; faces another stiff task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

14th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Star Artist

10st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Hughie Morrison

Fair hurdler who's finished well held in a couple of AW novice events this year, latterly behind Keep It Cool; this more realistic for a yard just getting going for the season but his immediate future probably lies in the hands of the handicapper.

10/1

5th

5

(8)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Star Artist

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Hughie Morrison

Vastly inferior to Constitution Hill and Roadlesstravelled over hurdles; duly finished behind those two opponents at Southwell on the switch to this code; faces another stiff task.

66/1

8th

9

(8)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Star Artist

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Hughie Morrison

Lightly raced winning hurdler but not in the same league as some of these in that scene; Flat/AW debut.

50/1

100/1

Form: 0-5

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two bumpers but a faller in both attempts over hurdles; finished behind Roadlesstravelled at Southwell on return to the Flat, recording an ordinary RPR; plenty to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(4)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Newbury

Victors Spirit

8st 10lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Neil King

Fell in both hurdle starts, after which he was rerouted to the Flat; made a successful handicap debut at Southwell (1m3f, hooded first time) in April and two runs since have both been respectable; more needed to come out on top in this field.

8/1

5th

7

(7)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:20 Lingfield (AW)

Victors Spirit

9st 2lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Neil King

Has improved since handicapping on the AW with a hood enlisted, beating a solid yardstick at Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta) last month and finishing second of nine over 1m2f here nine days later; should be suited by the return to further; respected.

11/2

2nd

6

(6)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Lingfield (AW)

Victors Spirit

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Neil King

Fair bumper performer; hooded and much improved on his handicap debut when scoring at Southwell (1m3f) nine days ago; up 3lb but must enter calculations with the headgear retained.

4/1

Form: 677-

Last run: 173 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who has perhaps found 7f/1m in adequate in his modest Flat attempts; may do better over this longer trip but handicaps are likely to be his ideal scene.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(3)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Lingfield (AW)

Edward Sexton

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful bumper winner; has been brought along steadily in this sphere, a patiently ridden seventh in 1m4f Kempton novice 26 days ago; looks capable of a fair bit better now going handicapping and not without interest.

9/1

7th

3

(5)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Edward Sexton

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Bumper winner who has perhaps found 7f/1m in adequate in his modest Flat attempts; may do better over this longer trip but handicaps are likely to be his ideal scene.

66/1

2

(8)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:15 Southwell (AW)

Edward Sexton

9st 6lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful bumper winner; unable to make an impact in two Flat runs in August and he will be of more interest when upped in trip and handicapping in due course.

20/1

20/1

Form: 84/ BF

Last run: 489 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed some ability (RPRs 70 and 69) in maidens over 1m on turf and 1m2f on AW in autumn 2024 for Owen Burrows; absent and gelded since; has joined Andrew Balding, who also runs Classical Allusion; possibly open to improvement; the betting may offer further guidance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

13th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:52 Leicester

Serviceman

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Showed some ability in two maidens (1m/1m2f) in autumn 2024 for Owen Burrows; absent 489 days, gelded and changed stables before his last of eight in a novice at Kempton (1m4f; 16-1) 19 days ago, which is not the strongest recommendation but he could easily have needed that run, has better chance going handicapping and wears first-time headgear.

12/1

8th

7

(7)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Serviceman

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Showed some ability (RPRs 70 and 69) in maidens over 1m on turf and 1m2f on AW in autumn 2024 for Owen Burrows; absent and gelded since; has joined Andrew Balding, who also runs Classical Allusion; possibly open to improvement; the betting may offer further guidance.

20/1

4th

11

(4)

21st Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

12:00 Lingfield (AW)

Serviceman

9st 7lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Owen Burrows

prominent

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £1.90
Straight Forecast £1.79
Trifecta £27.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Constitution Hill

RP RATINGS:

Constitution Hill

TOPSPEED:

Constitution Hill

POSTDATA:

Constitution Hill

LAMBOURN:

Constitution Hill

The Times:

Constitution Hill

Telegraph:

Constitution Hill

The Guardian:

Constitution Hill

Daily Mail:

Constitution Hill

D Express:

Constitution Hill

Daily Mirror:

Constitution Hill

The Star:

Constitution Hill

Daily Record:

Constitution Hill