The Virgin Bet Autumn Festival Friday

Racing Reports

11 Sep 2026

Day 1 of the Autumn Festival provided great fashion, entertainment and racing in September 2026. The feature race of the day came in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boost Handicap (Class 3), where Roman Dragon attempted to claim a record ninth course victory. Ground conditions were Good To Soft (Soft in places) throughout.

Race Report By Adam Perkins

1:37 pm

The Neaves & Co EBF Restricted Novice Stakes

Taking the class drop in her stride, Donna Beauty (7/4F) ran out a game winner of the opening race, ridden out to score by 1 ¾ lengths for Connor Beasley and Charlie Johnston. Rousted along out the gates, Donna Beauty worked hard to gain the early advantage after a furlong, racing a little keenly on the front end ahead of market rival Bearly Blue (15/8). Still ahead with two furlongs to go, Donna Beauty was ridden for more around the home turn, but despite a late challenge from Water Angel (22/1), the leader was always doing enough to see off her opponents. Enjoying another fine year, Connor Beasley also won the Gimcrack (Group 2) this season aboard Arapaho Gold!

Results

Winner
Name: Donna Beauty (7)
Owner: Mr Jaber Abdullah
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Jockey: Connor Beasley

The Race
Distance: 6f 17y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 5

2:12 pm

The Virgin Bet A Good Bet Restricted Novice Stakes

Consistent in Ireland this year, She’s Too Kool (7/4) put it all together in emphatic style when landing the second race, sailing home by 7 lengths under Jack Nicholls for winning trainer Mrs Claire O’Connell. A strong traveller, She’s Too Kool was a real eye-catcher through the opening couple of furlongs, latching onto the back of the quartet as market leader Dovecote (8/11F) attempted to make all. By the time the leaders reached the home turn, it all looked set to change once they entered the straight, and sure enough, She’s Too Kool launched a telling bid and powered on relentlessly to record a decisive victory. Doubling last year’s efforts, Jack Nicholls has now ridden 42 winners in 2026!

Results

Winner
Name: She's Too Kool (4)
Owner: Miss R. Teggart
Prize: £18,000
Trainer: Ms Claire O'Connell
Jockey: Jack Nicholls

The Race
Distance: 7f 1y
Prize: £18,000
Class: 4

2:47 pm

The HRS Cladding Handicap Stakes

Having been an unlucky loser last time out, Meet Me In Meraki (100/30JF) flipped the script in the third race of the day, delivered late to score by half a length for Finley Marsh and David Evans. Switched off in rear division, Meet Me In Meraki raced in last for much of the way, latching onto the main group as Condotti (14/1) challenged Mayflower Billy (20/1) for the lead. Still with plenty to do around two furlongs out, Meet Me In Meraki was forced to switch wide into the home straight. However, finding his second wind once in the clear, Meet Me In Meraki stuck on powerfully down the near side, fending off Condotti in the final 50 yards to land a 71^st Roodee winner for trainer David Evans!

Results

Winner
Name: Meet Me In Meraki (6)
Owner: Spiers & Hartwell Ltd & Mrs E. Evans
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: David Evans
Jockey: Finley Marsh

The Race
Distance: 1m 2f 70y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 5

3:17 pm

The Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Stakes

Placed at the Ebor meeting last month, Baker Blue (3/1F) continued his fine form to take the feature race of the day, keeping on well by 1 ¾ lengths for Ed Greatrex and Dylan Cunha. Getting across nicely to take the lead, Baker Blue held sway from Roodee record holder Roman Dragon (14/1) in the early stages, setting a solid tempo up front on the run for home. Still in front and apparently full of running, Baker Blue soon put paid to the chances of Roman Dragon gaining his ninth course victory, kicking for home around the turn and readily maintaining his lead all the way to the line. A trainer in flying form, Dylan Cunha also won a Grade 1 in Hungary last week with Asgard’s Captain!

Results

Winner
Name: Baker Blue (2)
Owner: Martians Racing
Prize: £25,000
Trainer: Dylan Cunha
Jockey: Edward Greatrex

The Race
Distance: 5f 15y
Prize: £25,000
Class: 3

3:53 pm

The TMT Group Handicap Stakes

Appropriately named, King Of Thunder (10/1) flashed home to land Race 5 under David Probert, kicking clear by 2 ¼ lengths to land the spoils for local trainer Hugo Palmer. Unable to gain a prominent position from his wide berth in Stall 10, King Of Thunder was forced to settle in mid-division through halfway, the lead occupied by habitual frontrunner Alfa Whiteburd (7/1). As the leader attempted to slip the field around the home turn, it briefly looked like the chance had gone for King Of Thunder. However, staying on strongly as Alfa Whiteburd began to flounder at the furlong pole, King Of Thunder stormed home impressively to notch a 56^th course winner for David Probert!

Results

Winner
Name: King Of Thunder (10)
Owner: Roudee Racing 17
Prize: £18,000
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Jockey: David Probert

The Race
Distance: 7f 1y
Prize: £18,000
Class: 4

4:28 pm

The Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Fillies' Handicap Stakes

Gaining her first win on turf in the process, Ghisa (7/2F) snapped a run of third places to take the sixth race in a close finish, holding on by just a neck to score for George Wood and Charlie Fellowes. Always prominent, Ghisa stuck to the inside rail for much of the way, never more than a couple of lengths behind leading pair Homestrait (7/1) and Lady Gormire (13/2). Despite being firmly ridden as the field turned for home, Ghisa looked to be travelling well enough with just over a furlong to go, and once upsides Homestrait entering the final 100 yards, Ghisa kicked on bravely to land the spoils. A good season for the rider, George Wood has now ridden 4 winners at Chester this year!

Results

Winner
Name: Ghisa (8)
Owner: Daniel MacAuliffe & Anoj Don
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes
Jockey: George Wood

The Race
Distance: 7f 1y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 5

5:03 pm

The Inkerman London Apprentice Handicap Stakes

Making the long trip down from Scotland a winning one, Jim Goldie’s Cascade Hall (2/1F) absolutely routed his rivals to take the finale, coasting home by 21 lengths under a fine ride from Lauren Young. In the chasing vanguard through the opening circuit, Cascade Hall travelled nicely under Lauren Young, racing a couple of lengths behind Free World (15/2) as they made their way into the final half mile. Making his move down the far side of the track, Cascade Hall made smooth headway to take the lead, and despite taking the initiative a long way from home, the Scottish raider was far too good for the opposition, careering away to land a first ever Chester victory for Lauren Young!

Results

Winner
Name: Cascade Hall (5)
Owner: Whitestonecliffe Racing Partnership
Prize: £15,000

The Race
Distance: 1m 7f 196y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 5

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