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

1st

12

(8)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:40 Kempton (AW)

Havana Touch

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

Justified favouritism in a C&D handicap in April off 5lb lower; beaten a nose at Lingfield later that month and then met trouble in running at Ripon last week; should remain competitive.

8/1

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

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

9th

1

(8)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 113y

Class 5

18:20 Epsom

Penfolds Grange

10st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Mark Pattinson

The only impact he made in three turf races (last April-July) came when third on good ground at Chester, which is up with his best AW form; pretty reliable with his minor AW honours this year, so needs considering.

4/1

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

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

6th

10

(7)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:08 Kempton (AW)

Billy Mill

8st 8lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Rod Millman

Eight-time AW winner who has finished runner-up over C&D in his last three starts including a close call on his penultimate run; should give it another good shot and he's respected.

5/1

2nd

10

(7)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:40 Kempton (AW)

Billy Mill

9st 4lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Rod Millman

Prolific winner who arrives on the back of three placed efforts over C&D; now 2lb higher but likely to give his running once again.

13/2

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

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

3rd

8

(3)

8th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:20 Kempton (AW)

Chico Dulce

8st 12lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Michael Madgwick

Both his wins (1m/1m2f) have come on AW at Lingfield; failed to build on an encouraging reappearance C&D fourth when seventh in 1m Lingfield handicap in April; needs to bounce back after a break.

10/1

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

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

3rd

10

(1)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:50 York

Caph Star

10st 8lb

J: Mr Harry Rimell

T: Mark Rimell

1m2f winner on good ground at Nottingham in April (4lb lower) but has dropped his guard the last twice and he's been contesting Class 5s, so this demands a fair bit more even if back in the groove.

20/1

5th

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

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

1st

11

(9)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:24 Newmarket (July)

King Of Charm

9st 1lb

J: Alice Bond

T: Martin Dunne

Endured a fair spell in the doldrums until cheekpieces woke him up when chasing home Siam Fox at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) three weeks ago; very well handicapped if that signals a revival in his fortunes.

6/1

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

8th

7

(1)

1st Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 5

17:20 Epsom

Beta Reader

9st 0lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Laura Mongan

Good AW effort when beaten a head for this yard in February and it was a fair third at Windsor (also 1m2f) last month; that was just his fourth turf start so maybe he can build on it.

12/1

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

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

10th

6

(1)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

17:28 Chester

Nordic Norm

9st 7lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

Hasn't won since his debut in February last year when trained by Karl Burke; went close when beaten a nose at Chelmsford (1m, AW) in March and if he can reproduce that effort on turf then he would be a player.

10/1

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

+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