December 29 / 12.05 Southwell (AW)

12.05

Standard

BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 1m 0f 13y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 874413 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Four-time course winner who arrives in good form, goes well for Joanna Mason and won't mind the step back up from 7f; looks set to go well once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

11

(11)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Eligible

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Veteran who has a better strike-rate on AW than on turf and hasn't prevailed in this sphere since York success three years ago; midfield when the 125-1 rank outsider back here last time.

66/1

10th

8

(21)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Eligible

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Veteran who won over 7f at Southwell in January but has been operating below his best since; drawn widest and likely best to look elsewhere.

40/1

4th

4

(1)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

15:50 Redcar

Eligible

9st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Veteran who won over 7f at Southwell in January but has been rather below his best since; equally effective on turf and has won over 1m on fast ground; others look better handicapped.

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 541113 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Notched a quickfire Class 6 hat-trick last month before finishing third to Feel The Need off revised mark over C&D latest; a 4lb swing entitles him to close the gap but it's possible the handicapper has caught up now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:25 Yarmouth

Hitched

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David Simcock

Won twice on turf in the summer of 2023 but better known for his AW exploits since; well beaten at Lingfield (1m1f, good to firm) on last month's return to grass; others are safer.

20/1

6th

6

(4)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:42 Lingfield

Hitched

9st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: David Simcock

A regular on the AW here (three wins) who's much higher in the weights than when last seen frequently on turf; generally consistent but whether he's up to this mark on grass is the leading question, and Quamby looks his trainer's best chance.

25/1

13th

14

(14)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Hitched

9st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: David Simcock

Four-time winner over 1m/1m2f here and just 1lb higher than when beating a dual subsequent winner at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) in January, but he has the outside stall and will require some luck given his come-from-behind style.

25/1

OUR TIP

11/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 745551 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Has enjoyed a consistent year and built on an unlucky Newcastle fifth when winning over C&D a fortnight ago (4lb higher today); had a bit in hand that day and has to be considered in current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(3)

5th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Feel The Need

9st 9lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Herrington

Doesn't win often but is down to a career-low mark and is used to doing his racing in better company; has often run well here without winning and showed more back on Tapeta last time, so there are positives on the return from a short break.

7/1

6th

9

(2)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Feel The Need

9st 3lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Herrington

Winner here at 1m who has also been involved in tight finishes over C&D, most recently in January; this will probably take more winning though and he needs more than he's shown on his last two turf starts.

9/1

13th

19

(15)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Feel The Need

9st 2lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Michael Herrington

Good C&D record includes a win in this race (good to firm) off 1lb higher last year; good second at Southwell (7f) in January but always behind over C&D four months later; may well have needed that outing but needed to see more to be confident.

14/1

7/2

Form: 508151 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Fine on Tapeta but easy to argue Polytrack suits best, with five of his six wins coming on that surface; a 5lb rise for his latest Kempton win, which came in a race run to suit, may leave him vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(8)

3rd Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:48 Kempton (AW)

Dembe

9st 11lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Pearce

Good C&D record since joining this yard and ran well at Lingfield on Good Friday off this mark on his most recent AW outing; fair run off his lower turf mark at Doncaster four weeks ago; could yet rate higher on this surface.

5/1

6

(13)

6th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Dembe

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Pearce

Recorded his eighth AW win when completing a double at Newcastle (1m) in March; came up short at Lingfield last time but that was another good effort in a valuable handicap on Good Friday; now returns to turf but he's still lightly raced in this sphere and is 11lb lower than last time; not ruled out.

11/2

4th

6

(1)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Lingfield (AW)

Dembe

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Pearce

midfield

13/2

5th
4 (10)
Lessay

5/1

Form: 475625

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Picked up from Andrew Balding for 20,000gns in October and made a solid start for his new yard when coming home nicely over 7f here ten days ago; the return to this trip will suit on that evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

(6)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Lessay

9st 0lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

Came from the rear to gain his fourth success (all on the AW) when winning at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) two months ago; a 5lb rise still leaves him well treated on his previous form so can't be discounted in his bid to follow up.

9/2

1st

9

(9)

28th Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:37 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lessay

9st 2lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Patrick Morris

C&D winner off 8lb higher in December; chased home Split Elevens here last month but not quite so good back here four weeks ago; apprentice takes off a useful 5lb; each-way shout.

10/1

Form: 683236

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Maiden who often pulled hard for James Ferguson and did so again for his new yard when last seen, despite the first-time hood; this mark should be within range if he's more amenable but therein lies the gamble.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(1)

18th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

15:50 Chepstow

Risen Again

9st 4lb

J: William Carson

T: John & Rhys Flint

Broke duck at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to firm) in May 2025 and some good efforts in defeat followed later in the year; however, it's been a slow process recapturing form for new yard and was well held when second of five back at Yarmouth recently; no good thing to take advantage of a tempting mark.

4/1

2nd

3

(5)

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 6

16:38 Yarmouth

Risen Again

9st 7lb

J: William Carson

T: John & Rhys Flint

Well handicapped on some of last year's form for Alice Haynes that includes a fast-ground C&D win but has not been competitive on any of four starts for new stable this season (cheekpieces refitted last time); considered only if lively in the betting.

20/1

6th

5

(2)

4th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 209y

Class 5

20:50 Ffos Las

Risen Again

9st 4lb

J: William Carson

T: John & Rhys Flint

A fair 1m2f winner at his best but yet to run a race of note since leaving Alice Haynes.

14/1

Form: 5-0534 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Couple of solid efforts in handicaps in the autumn but then looked to have no excuses at a short price when back to novice company a few weeks ago; has had plenty of chances now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(4)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

15:20 Lingfield (AW)

Onslow Gardens

9st 6lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Lawrence Mullaney

22-race maiden but he has finished in the first three on seven occasions; however, he was down the field at Wolverhampton on his yard debut three weeks ago and needs to bounce back in first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

9th

13

(7)

30th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Onslow Gardens

9st 4lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Lawrence Mullaney

Placed in both previous goes over C&D but is now 0-21; needs something extra starting out for another new yard (same owners).

14/1

7th

5

(2)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

17:15 Doncaster

Onslow Gardens

9st 9lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Has inconsistent form for current yard, aside from being placed a few times, and is still a maiden at the aged of six.

14/1

10/1

Form: 3-91

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
More professional when off the mark on her third start for the Gosden yard in October, after which she was picked up for 35,000gns; it will be interesting to see how she goes in the market on her handicap/Tapeta debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

(9)

23rd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

First Kiss

9st 3lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ollie Sangster

Successful in Kempton maiden (7f) on final start for the Gosdens; down the field in C&D handicap since and needs to do better with headgear now fitted.

20/1

12th

7

(9)

23rd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

First Kiss

9st 3lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ollie Sangster

Successful in Kempton maiden (7f) on final start for the Gosdens; down the field in C&D handicap since and needs to do better with headgear now fitted.

20/1

8th

5

(3)

29th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

12:05 Southwell (AW)

First Kiss

9st 10lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Ollie Sangster

More professional when off the mark on her third start for the Gosden yard in October, after which she was picked up for 35,000gns; it will be interesting to see how she goes in the market on her handicap/Tapeta debut.

10/1

20/1

Form: -35364

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Ex-Hannon maiden who goes in a first-time hood having pulled hard over further last time; will find this more competitive back into handicap company after a short break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 5

19:28 Goodwood

Show Biz Kid

11st 2lb

J: Mr Ross Birkett

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Easy win at Bath (1m2f, firm) when dropped into a Class 6 in May; not so good since but edging back down the weights and he holds each-way claims in this field.

11/1

5th

4

(4)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 5

17:30 Epsom

Show Biz Kid

9st 8lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Not far off career-best form when coming from the rear for clearcut success at Bath (1m2f, firm) in May but not seen to same effect on either subsequent outing; chance may depend upon others setting a strong pace.

10/1

3rd

2

(3)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 5

18:55 Epsom

Show Biz Kid

9st 10lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Held up; ran creditably sole start here (2024); latest of his two wins came when dropped into Class 6 at Bath (1m2f, firm) in May, before a Class 4 at Yarmouth saw a lesser effort; should be competitive in this race.

9/1

20/1

Form: 405116 D

Last run: 269 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Generally solid record over 1m on Tapeta is rather spoiled by two poor efforts over C&D, which would have to be a worry on his return from nine months off (wins have all come after a recent outing).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(1)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:10 Ripon

Cosmos Raj

9st 7lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

10-50 turf; made all, clinging on, at Redcar (1m2f, good; 20-1) ten days ago; 3lb higher, but with 3lb claimer Conor Whiteley taking over in the saddle; is better known as a miler, so stamina could be the thorny issue, especially if more rain arrives.

7/2

1st

3

(3)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

18:30 Redcar

Cosmos Raj

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: David O’Meara

A three-time 1m winner in 2025 but yet to hit top form this season, finishing just fourth of six in 1m Pontefract handicap 17 days ago; on a falling mark but more is required.

10/1

4th

5

(2)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

15:45 Pontefract

Cosmos Raj

8st 13lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Multiple winner over 1m-1m2f; versatile regarding going; 12lb lower than his most recent win at Ripon 13 months ago; plenty to prove based on five of his six starts this season.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.10
Straight Forecast £22.60
Tricast £70.72
Trifecta £69.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Feel The Need

TOPSPEED:

Dembe

The Times:

Lessay

Telegraph:

First Kiss

The Star:

Hitched

The Sun:

Lessay

RP RATINGS:

Feel The Need

Daily Mirror:

Feel The Need

Daily Record:

Feel The Need

POSTDATA:

Dembe

D Express:

Dembe