14.00
Good To FirmVirgin Bet Handicap
- Prize money: £13085
- 1m 0f 0y
- Class 3
- 10 runners
Runners: 10 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
Form: 87/670 D
Last run: 74 days
W: 10st 3lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 96
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 26 (27) |
17th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
Has been campaigned only on artificial surfaces, mostly in UAE, for current yard; generally out of form since a hat-trick that was over two years ago (missed the 2025 campaign); enough to prove in first turf attempt since his French days in 2023. |
50/1 |
|
7 (1) |
16th Nov 2024 Standard 1m 2f 42y Class 1 |
9st 4lb |
Took very well to the Dirt at Jebel Ali on joining this yard last winter, going 3-3 over 1m, including a Group 3; found life harder in Group races at Meydan in March and off since; the visor he wore last time is left off on return; 1m2f winner (turf) in France. |
9/1 |
Form: 00-000 CD
Last run: 30 days
W: 10st 3lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 96
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 12 (14) |
31st Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
9st 5lb |
Commenced last season with wins in the Lincoln and useful AW handicap; not in the same form since, latterly posting two duck eggs this term for new yard, latest in the Royal Hunt Cup when behind several of today's opponents; major revival is required. |
33/1 |
|
18th 20 (6) |
17th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
9st 2lb |
Got up in the final stride to win last year's Lincoln and followed up in useful AW handicap; not in the same form since and York defeat on stable/seasonal debut spoiled an otherwise good record when fresh; revival is far from guaranteed. |
40/1 |
Form: 5-0151 CD
Last run: 16 days
W: 9st 12lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 91
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 6 (1) |
14th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
His wins have come on good or heavy ground but he's effective on good to firm; has been and up down since his win at Glorious Goodwood last summer but he scored at Nottingham (8.3f) in May and backed that up with a creditable fifth in a big field at Epsom the following month; returns after a short break but he could go well on this drop back in grade. |
6/1 |
|
5th 10 (6) |
5th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 1m 0f 113y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
Heavy-ground winner of a Glorious Goodwood handicap (1m) last July and he had dipped below that winning mark when scoring at Nottingham (8.5f, good) last time; 2lb nudge shouldn't stop him being competitive. |
11/1 |
Form: 00-458 D
Last run: 29 days
W: 9st 10lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 4 (18) |
1st Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 1f 11y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
Third of 15 for Richard Hughes in the Golden Mile here last August when 5lb higher; hasn't hit the same heights since, most recently fifth of nine at Redcar when the 6-4 favourite; however, he's on a dangerous mark and is not written off; interesting to see if he's again strong in the betting. |
11/1 |
|
5th 1 (3) |
7th May 2026 Good 0m 7f 219y Class 3 |
9st 11lb |
Very useful for Richard Hughes, including third in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, soft) on last year's reappearance; failed to back that up in two subsequent outings in 2025 but added to his solid record fresh when fourth on 1m Newmarket return for new yard 23 days ago; classy but needs to show he can still string good efforts together now. |
4/1 |
Form: 5-0044 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 9st 10lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 18 (11) |
29th Jul 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 3 |
9st 4lb |
A couple of close calls led to a frustrating campaign last year but it was a good effort when a running-on fourth to Crimson Spirit over C&D (good) in May; not seen since but he's dipped below his last winning mark and this may have been the plan; big run might be on the cards. |
8/1 |
|
4th 5 (7) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 0m 7f 0y Class 3 |
9st 9lb |
Useful on his day but losing run is mounting up and two duck eggs this year leave a question mark over his current form; chance partly depends on how well he responds to the removal of usual cheekpieces. |
7/1 |
Form: 500500 CD
Last run: 8 days
W: 9st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12 (9) |
29th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 0y Class 2 |
8st 6lb |
Well suited by ground softer than good; six-time winner at Goodwood and had an excuse (unsuitable conditions) in most recent course start; doesn't have the prettiest form figures this term but he has slipped to a very attractive mark; record in this race reads 3100. |
11/2 |
|
13th 10 (1) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Soft 0m 7f 127y Class 2 |
8st 12lb |
Hasn't fired yet this term but needs conditions softer than good to show his best form; has dropped down to a tempting mark but is 0-3 around here and is at his best at Goodwood and Epsom. |
7/1 |
Form: 156500 D
Last run: 8 days
W: 9st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 83
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17th 21 (8) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Soft 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
8st 8lb |
Progressive last autumn and rediscovered that thread to win at Redcar (1m, good) in May; hasn't been running badly over about 1m2f subsequently but needs something extra if he's to take this. |
66/1 |
|
12th 19 (10) |
11th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
8st 8lb |
Progressive last autumn and rediscovered that thread to win at Redcar (1m, good) in May; hasn't been running badly over about 1m2f subsequently but needs something extra if he's to take this. |
50/1 |
Form: 2-5134 BF
Last run: 34 days
W: 9st 3lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 (3) |
27th Jul 2026 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 3 |
9st 8lb |
A couple of short-priced defeats in early runs, not looking the easiest on his comeback, but the cheekpieces have definitely helped; won well from the front in the spring (Polytrack) and backed that up on his handicap debut last time; holds obvious claims. |
6/4 |
|
3rd 3 (3) |
13th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 0m 7f 127y Class 2 |
9st 0lb |
Promise when placed in both starts last year (good to soft and soft) but it was much his best effort when cheekpieces and/or AW sparked a win in Kempton novice (7f) 17 days ago; handicapper didn't miss that but still warrants plenty of respect on his debut in this sphere. |
7/2 |
Form: 041415 CD BF
Last run: 25 days
W: 9st 1lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 (5) |
5th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 216y Class 4 |
10st 3lb |
Showed career-best form when leading close home at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last month and has now won under Oliver Carmichael on two of his last three outings; ought to cope with the undulations here and can make his presence felt again. |
7/2 |
|
1st 5 (4) |
18th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Most of his handicaps on AW, winning three at 7f and 1m, but the return to turf is working quite well of late, gaining a first win on the surface at Goodwood (1m, good to soft) in June then checked in quite a promising run at Sandown (1m, good to firm) since; can be competitive off the same mark. |
5/2 |
Form: 445212 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 9st 1lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 12 (8) |
8th Aug 2026 Good 0m 7f 212y Class 3 |
9st 0lb |
Consistent form since being gelded, gaining a deserved success in five-runner race at Hamilton (1m, good to firm) three weeks ago; just 2lb higher and should go well again. |
7/1 |
|
1st 3 (3) |
16th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 68y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Scored at Newcastle (1m) in December and has proved reliable without adding to his tally this season, a clear second of seven to Jannas Journey in 1m Carlisle handicap 12 days ago; not taken lightly despite a 2lb weights rise. |
15/8 |
Betting Forcast
16/1 Swing Vote, 10/1 Godwinson, 11/2 Principality, 13/2 Real Gain, 9/2 Oliver Show, 13/2 Rhoscolyn, 33/1 Rainbow Nebula, 13/2 Masked Warrior, 12/1 Silca Bay, 7/2 Inspired
Non-runners
Drifts Away
Verdict
A chance is taken on REAL GAIN who hasn’t won for nearly three years but, assuming the headgear works a treat, is interesting off his current mark and with Harry Vigors taking off a bonus 5lb. Inspired, who may have more to offer over 1m, is second choice ahead of Oliver Show and Principality who both look reasonably solid on recent form.[Steve Boow]
Selections
The Sun:
Real Gain