16.20
Good To FirmVirgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
- Prize money: £8066
- 1m 6f 0y
- Class 4
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Form: 102-45
Last run: 52 days
W: 9st 9lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 (3) |
8th Jul 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
Progressed well in 2025 when a dual C&D winner; shaped encouragingly after six months off when fourth of five in 2m Goodwood handicap on his return in May; sort to do well again this season, so he's a big player eased 1lb. |
6/1 |
|
4th 4 (5) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
9st 2lb |
Close third on soft at Yarmouth (1m6f) last July was his best turf form; needs better given the improvement he's shown on Kempton AW (2m) in two of his three starts since, but he'd have a good chance if that form is transferred back to turf; won on 2024 reappearance; needs a close look. |
6/1 |
Form: 714-02 D
Last run: 25 days
W: 9st 9lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 (2) |
4th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
10st 2lb |
Turf/AW/hurdle winner; ran well over jumps during the winter but trailed in last on his return to the Flat at Goodwood where he ran in snatches; that was unlike him and he could bounce back. |
5/1 |
|
10th 1 (4) |
1st May 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 11lb |
The last of four Flat wins was over this trip at Sandown last summer (good; 5lb lower); has since racked up a solid sequence over hurdles; in form, consistent and respected. |
6/1 |
Form: 45/04/
Last run: 676 days
W: 9st 9lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 4 |
19th Aug 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
1-19 over hurdles, the win gained from the front at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) in April; below that form when fifth of six in recent 2m Uttoxeter handicap, though, and others in this field have much more potential. |
20/1 |
|
5th 3 |
26th Jul 2026 Good 1m 7f 168y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Only win in 18 runs over hurdles was in a maiden on penultimate start in April, that after finishing a well-held third in a 2m4f handicap; latest run at Punchestown three months ago is forgiven (tried a visor) but he's unconvincing against some of these. |
9/2 |
Form: 230613 CD
Last run: 36 days
W: 9st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 79
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 (5) |
24th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 9lb |
Career win number 11 when coming clear at Goodwood (1m6f, soft) on his debut for Tony Carroll; effective on faster ground and a 6lb rise might not stop him if he's turned a corner. |
3/1 |
|
1st 8 (2) |
12th Jun 2026 Soft 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 2lb |
Mainly seen on the AW these days, but he did win three times on turf as a 3yo; interesting to see how he fares in the market on debut for Tony Carroll (same owner). |
10/1 |
Form: -13433 D
Last run: 25 days
W: 9st 7lb
9 yo Mare
OR: 78
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 (4) |
4th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
10st 0lb |
Multiple winner but a 9yo now and hasn't been at her best in last two races, beaten 18l at Goodwood and then last of the three at Newbury (both at 2m); on last winning mark if she could stage a revival. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 2 (1) |
23rd Jun 2026 Good To Firm 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
9st 11lb |
Usually consistent, but her modest effort at Goodwood (2m, soft) last time was disappointing given she does handle any ground; needs to bounce back from that. |
5/1 |
Form: 4/641
Last run: 15 days
W: 9st 7lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 78
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 (3) |
14th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 104y Class 5 |
9st 8lb |
Australia gelding who has shown promise on each of his three runs, still looking inexperienced when fourth of seven in a 1m2f Salisbury maiden in June; that form has worked out well and he rates an interesting handicap debutant with this longer trip also a plus. |
5/2 |
|
4th 3 (5) |
30th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 1f 201y Class 3 |
10st 2lb |
Eye-catching fourth at Kempton (AW) in late 2024, then was absent until sixth of 14 at Windsor (1m2f) this month; remains open to improvement, with the reappearance effort under his belt. |
7/1 |
Form: 3-1463
Last run: 29 days
W: 9st 7lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 78
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 17 (8) |
31st Jul 2026 Good To Firm 2m 4f 137y Class 2 |
8st 2lb |
14th at 100-1 in this race in 2024; won at Kempton this year over hurdles and on AW Flat, and similar Flat form over that 2m on last two runs, but much better is needed from 5lb out of the handicap today; 7lb claimer is called up. |
66/1 |
|
6th 6 (4) |
8th Jul 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
Resumed with C&D success and backed it up with a solid fourth of 13 over C&D later in May; ought to be in the shake-up off the same mark. |
5/1 |
Form: 5325V2 BF
Last run: 15 days
W: 9st 6lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 77
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 (1) |
14th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 104y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
Sole win came over 1m in April 2025; in good form this season before his form dipped when fifth of ten in 1m4f Epsom handicap last month; latest race was voided and he's left Richard Hughes since; very much one to consider in a change of headgear for his new yard. |
15/8 |
|
6 (2) |
17th Jul 2026 Standard 1m 5f 219y Class 4 |
8st 13lb |
Sole success came in April 2025 when trained by Darryl Holland; has performed with credit on several occasions since, resulting in him being still 6lb higher than his winning mark; place claims. |
6/1 |
Form: 65/358 C
Last run: 59 days
W: 9st 6lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 77
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 2 (10) |
1st Jul 2026 Good 1m 4f 6y Class 4 |
10st 2lb |
Multiple Flat/hurdles winner who came back from an absence (after a nasty spill at Plumpton) with encouraging third at Salisbury (good; not clear run) in May; didn't build on that at Goodwood (also 1m6f) this month but he travelled well until soft ground likely got the better of him; drops in trip and he's not ruled out. |
14/1 |
|
5th 1 (7) |
12th Jun 2026 Soft 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 11lb |
11-time winner under rules who made a fine return from 389 days off when third of nine at Salisbury (1m6f, good) last month, looking unfortunate not to go closer; good or faster ground may suit ideally, but he handles soft; respected in his bid to make it 4-5 in Class 4 handicaps on the Flat. |
9/2 |
Form: -21144 D
Last run: 25 days
W: 9st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 (1) |
4th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 13lb |
Having a fine year with success over hurdles and on the Flat (1m4f; stays this far), while latest fourth at Ascot was very respectable; solid claims. |
5/2 |
|
4th 4 (10) |
25th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 4 |
9st 13lb |
Has won six races on the Flat at up to 1m6f and this year is going particularly well, with two hurdle wins and now two over about 1m4f on Flat (on good ground at Salisbury and Chester); raised 4lb to career-high mark but should be fine back on good to firm and he's never been better. |
13/2 |
Form: 702311 D
Last run: 23 days
W: 9st 4lb
7 yo Colt
OR: 75
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 (4) |
6th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 0y Class 5 |
9st 13lb |
Eventually drew clear from two rivals at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) last week, having taken a while to respond to Billy Loughnane's urgings; previously effective over 1m4f and, even with 4lb penalty, remains well treated on peak form. |
13/8 |
|
1st 2 (3) |
28th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 17y Class 5 |
9st 5lb |
Losing run up to 15, but has run well to be placed in his last two starts since the blinkers went back on, at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm) last month and at Lingfield (1m5f, AW) 15 days ago; player. |
2/5 |
Form: 414242 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 8st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 60
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 5 (5) |
30th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 6y Class 5 |
8st 9lb |
Scored at Bath in May and was one of two to pull clear of the others when close second of four off today's mark at Nottingham (also 1m6f, good to firm) last month; didn't fire on latest outing but this drop back in trip won't be a problem if he's back on song. |
9/2 |
|
4th 2 (5) |
9th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 5f 61y Class 5 |
9st 10lb |
Made all for his last three wins, the latest at Bath in May; never better than when beaten a nose in four-runner race at Nottingham (again 1m6f on good to firm) two weeks ago, so he needs respect. |
5/1 |
Betting Forcast
12/1 Caprelo, 12/1 Scarlet Moon, 25/1 Bright Legend, 10/1 Appier, 16/1 Russian Rumour, 2/1 Zachary Hickes, 10/1 Gooloogong, 7/2 Arcturus Flame, 25/1 Mr Freedom, 16/1 Taritino, 7/1 Educator, 14/1 Two Plus Two
Verdict
The intriguing ones are ZACHARY HICKES and Arcturus Flame who fought out the finish of a Yarmouth handicap last time out. The former didn’t need to be asked for a full effort to win a shade cosily and has a good chance of finding further improvement and also staying this new trip. However, Arcturus Flame is not passed over at all lightly, seeing as he’s already shown form over this C&D and is having only his second run for this yard. Appier may be the pick of the remainder.[Emily Weber]
Selections
Daily Mail:
Russian RumourNEWMARKET:
Zachary HickesThe Times:
Zachary HickesTelegraph:
Zachary HickesD Express:
Zachary HickesThe Star:
Zachary HickesPOSTDATA:
Arcturus FlameThe Guardian:
Arcturus Flame