18:00 Kempton

Wednesday 18 March 2026

All16:5517:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 1m 26.53s

(5)

Ecclefechan¹³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Ryan| OR: 75

14/1

Fairly useful maiden who was well backed for all-weather debut and duly ran best race when second in 4-runner nursery at Lingfield (6f) in November. Gelded ahead of return and not discounted from this sort of mark.

Form: 420442-

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(4)

Kilkenny Warrior¹⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 75| D

4/1

Much improved for switch to handicaps on all-weather last year, decisively following up her breakthrough Southwell win at Lingfield in October. Manner of that success suggests there's likely even better to come in 2026.

Form: 00511-

(7)

French Affair¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 75| BF

11/4

Strong gelding who was successful on nursery debut at Newbury (6f) in August. Good placed efforts next 2 starts and may have found quick turnaround catching him out on final start in September. Makes all-weather debut on first start for 6 months.

Form: 961324-

(6)

Acclaimed Freedom¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Scott| OR: 75| DWS

7/1

Showed a bit when fourth on debut at Ascot and he duly improved for the step up in trip when landing 11-runner novice at Chelmsford (7f) later in September. Remains with potential now handicapping after 6 months off following a breathing operation.

Form: 41-

(1)

Hardstyle¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 74| D

15/2

Has done well from a low base since the turn of the year, making it 3 wins from last 5 starts in 6-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 2 weeks ago. Did that emphatically so he ought to make another bold bid from 6 lb higher mark.

Form: 4-11251

(2)

Dublin Bay¹⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S Donohoe| T: Ollie Sangster| OR: 72

18/1

Dual scorer in nurseries who ended 2025 with a good third over C&D in October, coping better with the trip than on his previous try. Eased further 1 lb ahead of return to action.

Form: 116563-

(3)

Eyes Front¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: E Smyth-Osbourne| OR: 71

11/2

Finished runner-up on 2 of 3 starts in maidens and shaped better than bare result when third on nursery debut at Leicester (7f) in July, impressing with how he travelled. Softer ground may not have been ideal at Newbury on final start and betting may prove a good guide here.

Form: 02236-

(8)

Lion of Mali⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 64| D

9/2

Showed further progress having been gelded since last seen when winning 11-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (7.2f) 6 weeks ago. Still a shade green then and unlikely we've seen all he has to offer.

Form: 5072-1

Forecasts

French Affair (11/4), Kilkenny Warrior (4/1), Lion of Mali (9/2), Eyes Front (11/2), Acclaimed Freedom (7/1), Hardstyle (15/2), Ecclefechan (14/1), Dublin Bay (18/1)

HARDSTYLE decisively made it 3 wins in handicaps since the turn of the year at Wolverhampton 2 weeks ago and a 6 lb rise may not be enough to prevent George Boughey's charge going in again. Kilkenny Warrior ended her 2-y-o campaign on the up and is feared, as is Lion of Mali and Acclaimed Freedom.