20:00 Kempton

Wednesday 8 April 2026

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Virgin Bet Handicap

Off time: 20:00 | Winning time: 1m 12.15s

(3)

Twilight Madness³^{(ex 4)}

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Ashley Lewis⁽⁵⁾| T: S Hodgson| OR: 62| CD

11/8

Continued his good form from the all-weather when winning 5f Bath handicap on Sunday. 5 lb claimer up which offsets penalty and he seems sure to be on the premises again.

Form: 293231

(4)

Arnaz^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 64

14/1

Sole success came in May 2024. Caught the eye at Wolverhampton 7 weeks ago but soundly beaten at Southwell since.

Form: 274-760

(9)

Travel Agent^e/s1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Charles Bishop| T: Adam Kirby| OR: 64| D

18/1

Not unfancied when getting off the mark at Lingfield (6f) in August for Martin Dunne. Should have come on for recent Southwell run for new trainer and not dismissed in new headgear.

Form: 90159-4

(8)

Watermelon Sugar⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Joey Haynes| T: C Banham| OR: 63| D

14/1

In good form, landing a gamble in 6f Lingfield handicap 6 weeks ago, doing it a touch cosily in the end. 3 lb rise should leave him competitive although he's never shone at Kempton previously.

Form: 0051-21

(5)

Teardrops^b,t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Spencer| OR: 62| D

15/2

Newcastle regular and wasn't seen to best effect there last time, likely to have finished second had things panned out a little better. Same mark here and Oisin Murphy up.

Form: 123023

(12)

Initial Blue^b¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Loughnane| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 62| CD

7/2

Reacted well to blinkers when making all with ease in C&D handicap in February and has remained in form, not seen to best effect over 5f at Chelmsford last time. Appealing back here under Billy Loughnane.

Form: 351333

(6)

Big Bard^p³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Jude Fernandes⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 62| CD

40/1

Inconsistent sort returned to form from out of the blue to win over C&D in January when plenty went his way. Well held back here 5 weeks ago.

Form: 4067-19

(1)

Hello Luna^v³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Joe Leavy| T: J G Portman| OR: 60

10/1

Won at Windsor last summer but hard to catch right and may prefer 5f ideally.

Form: 45-8245

(10)

Hint Of The Jungle^h,t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Rob Hornby| T: M Murphy| OR: 60| D

10/1

In top form, winning 7f handicaps at Southwell and Chelmsford. Building up a good record under this rider and can go well back in trip.

Form: 02-5211

(7)

Just Jump^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: William Carson| T: A W Carroll| OR: 57| BF

14/1

Not beaten far again over C&D last time fitted with this headgear and the type his current stable ought to be winning races with, though he'll need to settle down.

Form: 473-375

(11)

Vitalline^b,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 51| CD

40/1

Won 7f classified event here at the start of last month but has proven too free in this headgear both starts since. Risky.

Form: 755150

Non-Runners

(2)

Noble Phoenix⁹

Weight: 8-8| Age: 4

T: D Flood J: S D Bowen

Forecasts

Twilight Madness (11/8), Initial Blue (7/2), Teardrops (15/2), Hello Luna (10/1), Hint Of The Jungle (10/1), Arnaz (14/1), Just Jump (14/1), Watermelon Sugar (14/1), Travel Agent (18/1), Vitalline (40/1), Big Bard (40/1), Noble Phoenix (150/1)

INITIAL BLUE remains in top form and gets the vote back at the scene of his February success, with Billy Loughnane now up for the first time. Hint of The Jungle and Bath winner Twilight Madness are a couple of the dangers.