April 06 / 15.30 Kempton (AW)

15.30

Standard To Slow

Virgin Bet Handicap (GBBplus Race)

  • Prize money: £8246.4
  • 1m 3f 219y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap (GBBplus Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 11147- D

Last run: 212 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Can lead; won first three turf handicaps as 3yo, at about 1m2f and 1m4f; lost little in defeat when fourth in the Shergar Cup at Ascot after but he floundered on soft ground there in September; gelded since; solid chance on turf form back on AW for yard with a strong AW strike-rate this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

(13)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Topteam

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

Four wins from 11 starts; successful on comeback at Kempton (1m4f, AW; made all) in April and again ran well when second at Newmarket (1m4f, good) two weeks ago; should be in the thick of things once more.

13/2

2nd

3

(2)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Topteam

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Normally reliable and gritty performer, as evidenced by his comeback win at Kempton (AW; made all) in April, so his major flop at Epsom (again 1m4f, good) came as quite the surprise three weeks later; maybe that track didn't suit and his previous body of work means he can easily be given another chance.

4/1

5th

2

(3)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 3

15:50 Epsom

Topteam

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Really likeable sort who scored three times on good ground (1m2f/1m4f) last term, twice coming out on top in tight finishes; gelded before again showing a fine attitude to pick up Kempton handicap (1m4f, AW) on his reappearance three weeks ago; likely won't go down without a fight for his ever-growing fan club.

7/4

10/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 51429- CD

Last run: 194 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
A good spell last summer for new yard included a C&D win in July but she faded badly over 1m6f at Goodwood on final start; had wind surgery since but this is likely to need her best form yet on seasonal return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

14

(2)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Incensed

8st 12lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Amanda Perrett

Two big runs over 1m4f here, including when third of nine in Listed race in May; not quite so good in two Ascot handicaps (1m6f/1m4f) since and there's a bit more to prove at this trip but that Listed run reads well.

25/1

5th

3

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

16:23 Ascot

Incensed

9st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Amanda Perrett

Four-time winner whose third of nine in Goodwood Listed race (1m4f, good) in May looks all the better now; midfield finish in the 16-runner 1m6f Copper Horse handicap at the Royal meeting was no disgrace and she's not dismissed.

12/1

8th

16

(11)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Incensed

9st 6lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Amanda Perrett

It wasn't a strong Listed race in which she finished third at Goodwood (1m4f, good) in May and the steady pace casts further doubts about that form; the handicapper saw fit to raise her 5lb and that spells danger in this competitive race back up in trip.

16/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 51109-

Last run: 198 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
All races at 1m2f on turf, winning two novices in the first half of 2025; dropped right out on handicap debut at Glorious Goodwood (11-1) and he didn't fare much better at Newbury in September; it could go either way on AW debut but this new trip could suit; thereabouts if it does.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 4

19:05 Chepstow

Serenity Blue

10st 1lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: James Horton

Dual novice winner last year and back to form in first-time cheekpieces when not quite getting home over 1m2f last time (runner-up won at the weekend); drops in trip with probably more to offer.

7/2

4th

3

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

15:45 Doncaster

Serenity Blue

10st 0lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: James Horton

Dual novice winner early last summer who's generally strugged in handicaps, including in two runs since being gelded; the drop back from 1m4f should help but this will largely come down to how he responds to first-time headgear.

10/1

11th

3

(10)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

17:15 Thirsk

Serenity Blue

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: James Horton

Two novice wins last May/June (1m2f, good to firm) and back on track when third in handicap at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last month; down the field at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) since on first run since being gelded but this 4yo remains lightly raced and is not written off.

7/1

8/1

Form: 20-352

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Sole win in 1m2f Lingfield AW handicap nearly two years ago; has been running well since back on AW of late but it's pushing it to call him well handicapped in this competitive race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

17:35 Chester

Midnight Rumble

9st 12lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

1-22 for Alan King, with his sole win in June 2024; had a respectable first two runs for new yard over C&D this season, before tailed off on good to firm at York four weeks ago; now 6lb below his peak mark.

12/1

13th

2

(7)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

18:05 York

Midnight Rumble

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

His sole win came back in June 2024 but he often runs well and was third of seven at Chester (2m, good) four weeks ago on his second stable start; might be in with an each-way shout.

16/1

3rd

2

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Midnight Rumble

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Much respected on his form for Alan King, for all that he was 1-22 for that yard; following a 30,000gns sale he ran okay over C&D on last month's stable debut, but no more than that.

10/1

Form: 12/21- CD

Last run: 163 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Was a more convincing Wolverhampton winner (2m) in October than the narrow margin suggests, making it 4-5 on sand for this yard, including at 1m3f and 1m4f on this track; well held over hurdles in November but had wind operation since; by no means out of it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:29 Newmarket (July)

Goblet Of Fire

9st 12lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Nicky Henderson

Landed big prize over this trip on Rowley Mile (good to firm) on 1,000 Guineas day in May and was close third in another heritage handicap over C&D (good to firm) when reappearing last month; nudged up only 2lb for that and in much calmer waters today; good chance.

9/4

3rd

6

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Goblet Of Fire

8st 13lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Nicky Henderson

Second run after wind surgery saw him better than ever back on turf for a clearcut win in 12-runner race on the other Newmarket track (1m6f, good to firm) when last seen nearly ten weeks ago; 7lb rise demands better still but he's a regular Flat winner who needs respect.

6/1

1st

12

(2)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Goblet Of Fire

8st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Nicky Henderson

All of his Flat success for this yard has been on AW, albeit with good-ground hurdle wins too and he was runner-up at Goodwood (1m6f, good to firm) last August; has a run under his belt this term but to win this would require a new best performance on turf.

7/1

6th
1 (5)
Bahadur

13/2

Form: 33111- CD

Last run: 128 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Immediate progress for switch to AW in the autumn, especially in handicaps on last two starts when a ready winner over 1m4f at Newcastle, then held off a subsequent improver at Wolverhampton (1m6f); up further 3lb; James Doyle rarely rides for yard now but 10-41 overall; can do better again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Bahadur

9st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: S Woods

Won five-runner race here (upped to 2m, good) in May and made most when fifth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW); no room over 1f out at Newbury two weeks ago but the speed with which he dropped out when jockey gave up was still rather disconcerting; place chance if bouncing back.

28/1

7th

2

(1)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Bahadur

9st 10lb

J: William Buick

T: S Woods

Progressive on AW last autumn and he's been a bit better this season too; won five-runner race at Goodwood (upped to 2m, good) in May and, having been mid-division at Royal Ascot (2m4f), made most when fifth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW); in the mix.

11/2

Form: 42251- D

Last run: 153 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Well connected; didn't always do himself justice as a 3yo but he was a tough opponent for a good rival (now on a mark of 101) over 1m3f at Yarmouth last May and made a good visual impression when overwhelming two rivals on Lingfield AW in November; interesting on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(9)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:20 Goodwood

Marnier

9st 13lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-11 for the Gosdens, whom he left after winning at Sandown (1m6f, good; in regular cheekpieces); later bought for 77,000gns and did well at the Shergar Cup (2m, good to firm) given he pulled hard early; effective on good to soft (unraced on slower).

10/1

6th

7

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Marnier

9st 3lb

J: Suraj Narredu

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-11 for the Gosdens, scoring for the first time on turf when leading late on at Sandown a month ago (1m6f, good; in regular cheekpieces); later bought for 77,000gns; tackles a new trip here and might well have more to offer; good to firm seems fine.

8/1

1st

3

(5)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Sandown

Marnier

10st 1lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Record is only 1-10, the success in AW maiden; however, shaped well in C&D handicap (good) most recently, staying on for third place in his first attempt beyond 1m4f; possibilities off current mark kept to this scenario.

5/2

20/1

Form: 16398- D

Last run: 190 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Multiple handicap wins, the latest over 1m6f at Sandown last June; just 1lb lower now but he has no great record fresh and it's hard to see him teed up for this against unexposed rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:47 Newmarket (July)

Youthful King

9st 5lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Luke Dace

Usually apprentice ridden but Jude Fernandes rides him for the first time; 6lb lower than when winning at Sandown (1m6f, good to firm) last June; he has not beaten many in his four starts this season, coming last in a four-runner race last time, but can't be dismissed and the hood he often wore last term (and first run this year) is reinstated.

10/1

4th

2

(4)

26th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:54 Lingfield

Youthful King

9st 5lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

4lb lower than when winning over this trip at Sandown (good to firm) last summer, but heavy defeats in his last four outings leave him with plenty to prove.

20/1

12/1

Form: 02009- D

Last run: 187 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
A 1m4f AW maiden win last spring worked out well but reality struck in Listed race and the Derby after; in more suitable company when just unable to get past the front-running Topteam at Thirsk (1m4f) in July but he wasn't the same horse again; gelded since; could go well at a price.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:20 Market Rasen

Rogue Impact

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Useful on the Flat and ran in last year's Derby; hasn't won a race since but he ran okay to be second on his hurdle debut at Worcester (2m, good) and going up in trip here could suit.

2/1

2nd

7

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Worcester

Rogue Impact

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Useful on the Flat at his best; has regressed and become inconsistent in this sphere but seemed to respond well to first-time blinkers when third at Brighton (1m4f, good to firm; RPR 79) last month; sports refitted cheekpieces for this hurdling debut; can feature if all goes to plan.

8/1

3rd

2

(3)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

15:20 Brighton

Rogue Impact

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Highly tried after winning Lingfield maiden (AW) in April last year and he bounced back from a swing at the Derby when going close at Thirsk (also 1m4f, good) in July; that form would make him a handicap snip but it's been a real struggle since and blinkers are now reached for; only considered if the market warms to him.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £68.40
Straight Forecast £72.38
Tricast £342.31
Trifecta £364.20

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Midnight Rumble

LAMBOURN:

Goblet Of Fire

SPOTLIGHT:

Marnier

The Times:

Serenity Blue

Daily Mail:

Bahadur

RP RATINGS:

Rogue Impact

NEWMARKET:

Marnier

Daily Record:

Marnier

Daily Mirror:

Serenity Blue

POSTDATA:

Midnight Rumble

The Guardian:

Midnight Rumble

The Sun:

Midnight Rumble

Telegraph:

Goblet Of Fire

D Express:

Goblet Of Fire

The Star:

Goblet Of Fire