April 01 / 18.00 Kempton (AW)

18.00

Standard To Slow

Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Mostly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 79-892 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Back to form when second of 11 at Wolverhampton (8.6f) a fortnight ago; 2lb higher today but Rossa Ryan booked and this course winner should have a big run in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(2)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Ripon

Havana Touch

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: John Butler

5yo who was in top form on AW in the spring, with a win at Kempton (1m) being sandwiched by two seconds; showed some promise in May 2024 when he last raced on turf; key player if transferring good form back to grass.

7/1

2nd

9

(5)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

17:40 Lingfield (AW)

Havana Touch

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Butler

Resumed winning ways in 1m Kempton handicap 29 days ago; up 4lb but must enter calculations.

7/2

1st

6

(2)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Havana Touch

9st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: John Butler

Back to form when second of 11 at Wolverhampton (8.6f) a fortnight ago; 2lb higher today but Rossa Ryan booked and this course winner should have a big run in him.

4/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 055-42

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Two good runs have followed a wind operation in December, notably when headed in the final stride over C&D five weeks ago; 2lb higher today but still feasibly weighted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(3)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Kempton (AW)

Penfolds Grange

9st 11lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Mark Pattinson

Back-to-back seconds over C&D and shaped as if still in form when sixth to Joseph over 2f further at Lingfield last time; not out of this; trainer/owner also represented by Forca Timao.

12/1

6th

2

(7)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

19:20 Lingfield (AW)

Penfolds Grange

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: Mark Pattinson

Had wind surgery in December and he has run three good races since, finishing fourth over C&D before two runner-up efforts at Kempton (1m); should remain competitive.

7/2

2nd

4

(6)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Penfolds Grange

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Mark Pattinson

Two good runs have followed a wind operation in December, notably when headed in the final stride over C&D five weeks ago; 2lb higher today but still feasibly weighted.

3/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -18866 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Returned from a break to win a 7f handicap here, his third course success, in January; not in the same form since but he is now back to his last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

(12)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Billy Mill

9st 2lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Eight-time AW winner who has finished placed over C&D in his last two starts; drawn out wide this time but he's tactically versatile and remains feasibly treated off his last winning mark; in the mix.

8/1

2nd

10

(3)

30th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Billy Mill

9st 2lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Has done most of his winning over 7f, most recently off current mark at Kempton in January; however, posted best effort since when keeping-on third over C&D last time; fighting chance.

10/1

3rd

5

(5)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Billy Mill

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Returned from a break to win a 7f handicap here, his third course success, in January; not in the same form since but he is now back to his last winning mark.

10/1

12/1

Form: 32415- D BF

Last run: 120 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Hold-up performer who won over this trip at Lingfield in November; not so good off this mark when last seen in December; up in class today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(4)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

14:21 Lingfield (AW)

Chico Dulce

10st 11lb

J: Mr Simon Walker

T: Michael Madgwick

Back to winning ways over C&D in November and resumed from four months off with a solid fourth of nine in 1m Kempton handicap 19 days ago; he can go very well with that run under his belt with Simon Walker up.

4/1

4th

9

(9)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Chico Dulce

8st 9lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Madgwick

Hold-up performer who won over this trip at Lingfield in November; not so good off this mark when last seen in December; up in class today.

12/1

1st

4

(11)

4th Nov 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

15:40 Lingfield (AW)

Chico Dulce

9st 6lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Madgwick

Gained his win over 1m2f here last summer and he arrives on the back of two good runs over that trip here; he will need a good pace back at 1m but that seems likely; high on the list.

6/1

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 31/0-8 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Useful form, including a C&D novice win, back in 2022; absent for 1,218 days prior to December's reappearance (for Gordon Treacy); did enough to think she retained ability when eighth of 13 over C&D two weeks ago (stable debut); eased in grade and could yet come good again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(1)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:18 Nottingham

Caph Star

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mark Rimell

Unraced on ground slower than good; off the mark for this yard when winning over C&D in April and he ran another solid race when third of ten at Kempton (1m3f, AW) next time; however, he was reported to have ran flat at Newmarket 19 days ago and needs to bounce back; hood removed.

12/1

7th

5

(5)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Newmarket

Caph Star

9st 7lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Mark Rimell

Lightly raced 7yo who can race freely; off the mark for this yard when beating 13 others at Nottingham (1m2f, good) in April; backed that up with creditable third (AW) when 1m3f just looked to stretch him 11 days ago; player.

9/2

3rd

4

(2)

4th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

16:55 Kempton (AW)

Caph Star

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Mark Rimell

Has only raced four times since winning over 1m here in August 2022, but he proved he still possessed plenty of ability when winning at Nottingham (1m2f, good) 16 days ago; up another furlong in trip and 5lb higher, but still worthy of consideration.

5/1

Form: 5988-0 D

Last run: 81 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Thrown in on his 3yo form but 2025 was disappointing and he finished tailed off at Lingfield (1m2f) in January; tongue-tie absent today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(1)

28th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

17:00 Yarmouth

King Of Charm

9st 8lb

J: George Wood

T: Martin Dunne

Thrown in on his 3yo form but 2025 was disappointing and he's struggled in both runs this year; mark continues to fall but he needs a needs a big turnaround in first-time cheekpieces.

6/1

6th

7

(7)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

King Of Charm

9st 0lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Martin Dunne

Thrown in on his 3yo form but 2025 was disappointing and he finished tailed off at Lingfield (1m2f) in January; tongue-tie absent today.

20/1

10/1

Form: 37-329

Last run: 33 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Began 2026 with two good placed efforts over 1m2f at Lingfield; easy enough to strike a line through latest effort as he ended up poorly positioned in a race run at a stop-start tempo; drops in trip and steps up in class today; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

7th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:35 Windsor

Beta Reader

9st 8lb

J: William Carson

T: Laura Mongan

Wouldn't judge him too harshly on his latest effort (1m; Class 5) and his penultimate run didn't see him to best effect either; has shown promise on turf; not discounted.

10/1

7th

8

(3)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Beta Reader

8st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Laura Mongan

Began 2026 with two good placed efforts over 1m2f at Lingfield; easy enough to strike a line through latest effort as he ended up poorly positioned in a race run at a stop-start tempo; drops in trip and steps up in class today; others appeal more.

10/1

9th

8

(9)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

13:42 Lingfield (AW)

Beta Reader

9st 7lb

J: Tyrese Cameron

T: Laura Mongan

It's now 12 runs since his sole victory but he's recorded two good placed efforts over C&D since joining Laura Mongan, going down by only a head latterly; has to enter calculations.

11/2

Form: /2422-

Last run: 202 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
He finished second in three of his four starts in 2025, including on his seasonal return, but was still operating at a level below his old form; drops into 0-70 for the first time; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(9)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Magical Merlin

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

Continues to edge down the weights, but losing run is up to 19 and the application of a tongue-tie made little difference last time; something to prove on his first attempt over this far.

11/2

4th

3

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Bath

Magical Merlin

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

Ran just four times last season and was runner-up on three occasions (7f/1m, various ground); down the field on reappearance at Kempton (1m, AW) four weeks ago but may have needed that outing and it will be no surprise if he's in the mix; a tongue-tie is added.

7/2

8th

1

(4)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Magical Merlin

9st 9lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

He finished second in three of his four starts in 2025, including on his seasonal return, but was still operating at a level below his old form; drops into 0-70 for the first time; not discounted.

6/1

7/2

Form: 04-452 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Still to add to his debut success (for Karl Burke) but he went desperately close at Chelmsford last month, running on well at the finish; handicap mark left unchanged and he needs serious consideration.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(8)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Nordic Norm

9st 8lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

Still to add to his debut success (for Karl Burke) but he went desperately close at Chelmsford last month, running on well at the finish; handicap mark left unchanged and he needs serious consideration.

7/2

2nd

2

(3)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Nordic Norm

9st 8lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

Started handicap life for Karl Burke last summer on an unrealistic mark and struggled prior to being picked up for just 2,000gns in the autumn; finding his level now for his current yard and it wouldn't shock were he to pop up here, dropped another 3lb.

12/1

5th

1

(3)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 5

13:45 Lingfield (AW)

Nordic Norm

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

Won on debut at Newcastle last February but he became disappointing for Karl Burke; hasn't been with current yard for long but he was beaten 9l at Chelmsford (1m, Polytrack) last month and is now 1-9; passed over.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.90
Straight Forecast £8.05
Tricast £31.28
Trifecta £38.20

Selections

POSTDATA:

Havana Touch

SPOTLIGHT:

Nordic Norm

Telegraph:

Penfolds Grange

RP RATINGS:

Billy Mill

Daily Record:

Penfolds Grange

The Guardian:

Nordic Norm

D Express:

Nordic Norm

The Sun:

Nordic Norm

NEWMARKET:

Havana Touch

The Times:

Havana Touch

Daily Mail:

Havana Touch

Daily Mirror:

Havana Touch

The Star:

Havana Touch

TOPSPEED:

Billy Mill