Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Benefited from front-running in first-time cheekpieces when winning at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) and he ran another good race there (2m5f, soft) in January; not in the same form when a fading fourth to Califet En Vol over C&D since and needs a better effort.

Won two Grade 2 hurdles; still learning his trade over fences, safe enough apart from one blunder when winning at Wincanton (2m4f, good), albeit he made a meal of beating a lower-rated rival; out of depth in Grade 1 here since but he's 10lb lower than his hurdle mark now handicapping and still has potential; cheekpieces on; yard has won two of the last three runnings.

Two hurdle wins, the latest in Listed company; has taken well to fences and he looked a good prospect when winning in pleasing style over C&D (good to soft; acts on most surfaces) last month; a 5lb higher mark should be within reach; solid claims.

One of two hurdle wins came on this track; two later chase wins, at Chepstow and Newbury, also came at about 2m (good to soft) but he has a good chance of staying this far and is a better jumper than suggested by two unseats from his last three starts; interesting.

All three chase wins (good to soft and good) in 2025, including at 2m2f here; creditable shows in his first 2m4f chases on last two starts and perhaps this sharper test than at Newbury recently will suit; not far away.