Today / 16.55 Goodwood

16.55

Good To Firm

Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap

  • Prize money: £8066
  • 1m 1f 197y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 221313 D BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Successful twice this summer and ran creditably when favourite last time; still on career-high mark but is a consistent sort who again holds a solid chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(3)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:41 Windsor

A Major Payne

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Michael Bell

This is a classier race than he's accustomed to but he's been in fine form since returning from a break and it was comfortable over C&D a month ago; 6lb rise demands another career best but couldn't put it past him.

3/1

1st

2

(3)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:20 Windsor

A Major Payne

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Michael Bell

Record is only 1-19 but the success, at Nottingham, is among his recent form and puts him 1-1 under Oisin Murphy; ran creditably a few days later and remains a consistent sort; rested over five weeks since that last run; solid claims.

5/2

Form: 4-3655 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Made the frame a few times during his spell in UAE and perhaps needed the run when returned to British soil last time; competitively handicapped on best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

18:58 Newmarket (July)

War Hawk

9st 13lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

AW and dual turf winner over about 1m2f last April-June; some minor honours in his November-March campaign in the UAE, mostly on dirt, without reproducing best efforts; tongue tied first time for today's return from four months off and he needs to be back at his peak; has a bit to prove on firmer than good (after one attempt) but his yard is among the winners.

7/1

2

(10)

1st Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 44y

Class 3

16:55 Goodwood

War Hawk

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Progressive to win three 1m2f handicaps (Lingfield AW, Chester and Epsom) this season before never dangerous at Newmarket three weeks ago on his first race on good to firm; best effort on good to soft, soft in places, the time before, with a strong finish to pip Grecian Legacy, and he may well bounce back to go well again.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 313-50 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: -82551 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Comfortably prevailed at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) last time but is no certainty to follow up, having done all his winning in Scotland; on a career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(4)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Obito

10st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

C&D winner last summer; back in good form of late and posted a solid fifth of eight in 1m2f Doncaster handicap last month; in the mix once more.

9/1

Form: -67066

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Record of 0-8 in handicaps but he shaped well, running-on sixth, at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f) on second run for new yard; possibilities provided he builds on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

15

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

First Ambition

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Keady

5yo who won last year on first two starts before good second on handicap debut at Haydock where he was 7lb higher; however, his form has gone the wrong way since and there was no revival on last month's stable debut.

50/1

6th

3

(3)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:33 Kempton (AW)

First Ambition

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Michael Keady

Won his first two starts for Karl Burke last year but he hasn't kicked on from his handicap debut second (1m, good to soft) last September (RPR 95); sold for 22,000gns in April; drops in class but not a solid option.

14/1

Form: 4-1210

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Record of 2-5 includes a win at Ayr (1m, good) on handicap debut; disappointing at the York Ebor festival since but may still have more to offer; new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(2)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:50 York

Bearish

8st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Dunlop

All four starts on good/good to firm; posted her second win on handicap debut at Ayr (1m, good) last month; had just a neck to spare and is 5lb higher up in grade this afternoon, but that form has been franked by the placed horses and he could have more left in the tank.

16/1

1st

10

(6)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Ayr

Bearish

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Ed Dunlop

Odds-on in a pair of novice events this term, winning over 1m at Ripon then clear second over 1m1f at Hamilton; still plausibly open to progress and could do well in handicaps; respected.

5/1

Form: 228-50 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Holds weak claims on his two efforts this season for new stable and is best watched unless the betting suggests a resurgence is likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

17

(17)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Alcaraz

9st 3lb

J: C Y Ho

T: George Baker

Seven-time winner in France; this front-runner was runner-up in twice in a row for Tom Dascombe last July/September but things didn't go to plan on his final two runs for that yard (Flat/hurdles) and he was well beaten on his stable and seasonal debut at Chepstow in May.

50/1

5th

1

(1)

21st May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:40 Chepstow

Alcaraz

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: George Baker

Seven-time winner in France; 0-5 for Tom Dascombe but his second at Newbury (1m2f, good to soft) in September was an eyebrow-raiser, looking all over the winner before being claimed late; considered on this stable debut/reappearance.

4/1

Form: 00-253 D

Last run: 78 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Placed twice in a light 2026 campaign; on a near two-year losing spell but remains well treated on peak form; 2-3 on soft ground; again has each-way possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

15:23 Chester

Due To Henry

8st 5lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Last won at Newbury (1m2f, soft) in September 2024; patchy form in nine subsequent starts includes a fifth of seven at Windsor (11.5f, good) last month; others hold stronger claims.

10/1

5th

5

(3)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

19:40 Windsor

Due To Henry

9st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Acts on good to firm and soft; all three wins have been on turf and he returned to form after a break with a near-miss at Haydock (10.4f) last month; up 3lb but he pulled clear of the third last time and is a big player if he can back that up.

4/1

Form: 4-5067

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced at Royal Ascot (1m) on handicap debut but has failed to land a blow in lesser races since; chance partly depends on the effects of added cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

(11)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 3

19:00 Hamilton

Brigids Well

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Hugo Palmer

Won a Thirsk novice over 1m last August; respectable tenth in the Sandringham in June before finishing sixth of ten at Ayr (1m, good) last month; still has stamina to prove for this trip.

25/1

6th

6

(2)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Ayr

Brigids Well

9st 5lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Hugo Palmer

3yo filly; respectable tenth in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot (handicap debut) with reappearance under her belt; now 2lb lower and Jack Nicholls takes off a useful 5lb; not ruled out.

8/1

Form: 2-1285

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Made a solid start to her career but has failed to show further progress in two handicap attempts (1m); new trip needs to make a difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 3

16:15 Pontefract

Si Grass

9st 5lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

1m AW novice winner who was beaten just over 3l when eighth of 14 on last month's handicap debut at Glorious Goodwood (1m, good); that came after a break and she may be able to build on that performance today; a possible.

3/1

8th

10

(9)

28th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Si Grass

8st 7lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Charlie Johnston

Chased home this season's smart Inis Mor at Newmarket (7f, good to soft) in sole start as a 2yo and did well at Southwell (1m, AW) early this year, winning a maiden and going down narrowly under a penalty in a novice; makes her handicap debut after 167 days off; stable won this in 2024; watch market.

14/1

Form: 23-710 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 3yo whose latest effort is likely best forgiven (eased; bled from nose); scored over C&D (soft) the time before and remains open to further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

14:05 Newcastle (AW)

Lavender Gold

9st 0lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: David Menuisier

Had wind and gelding operations before reappearance; 6-4 co-favourite for a seven-runner handicap at Goodwood (1m2f, soft) six weeks ago on second run back and improved to win from the front, asserting in clearcut fashion; up 6lb and needs another step forward but that may well be possible.

5/1

1st

1

(8)

12th Jun 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 5

18:04 Goodwood

Lavender Gold

9st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: David Menuisier

Showed ability in all four starts as a 2yo over 7f-8.6f on turf/AW and, after having been gelded and undergone wind surgery, he looked in need of his Haydock reappearance (1m2f, good to soft) three weeks ago; looks to have a bigger performance in him.

4/1

Betting Forcast

9/2 A Major Payne, 12/1 War Hawk, 6/1 Thinthread, 9/2 Obito, 13/2 First Ambition, 9/2 Bearish, 25/1 Alcaraz, 10/1 Due To Henry, 12/1 Brigids Well, 14/1 Si Grass, 10/1 Lavender Gold

Verdict

The shortlist is headed by FIRST AMBITION and Thinthread, who both showed positive signs in a 1m1f contest at Glorious Goodwood 29 days ago. Lavender Gold, a C&D winner who may still have further improvement in him, is third choice ahead of consistent A Major Payne.[Steve Boow]

Selections

POSTDATA:

A Major Payne

TOPSPEED:

Bearish

D Express:

Obito

The Times:

Thinthread

SPOTLIGHT:

First Ambition

RP RATINGS:

War Hawk

Daily Mirror:

Bearish

The Star:

Obito

NEWMARKET:

A Major Payne

Telegraph:

A Major Payne

The Sun:

A Major Payne

Daily Record:

A Major Payne