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

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

8th

4

(8)

25th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Eligible

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Seven of his 12 wins have been here (five over this trip); has never won off a mark this high however and most likely needs to drop a few pounds.

20/1

8th

3

(8)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Eligible

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

No signs of age dimming his enthusiasm, completing a December/January hat-trick (second leg over 1m here); a slow start didn't help when sixth of 12 at Southwell last time and he can be treated as if still in form.

14/1

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

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

4th

6

(4)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

18:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hitched

9st 3lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: David Simcock

C&D win in January off a 1lb lower mark; not so good twice since but he is not the type to stay down for long.

15/2

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

21th

14

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Feel The Need

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael Herrington

Most of his 14 races at York have been over 7f, including wins in this race in 2024 and another last June; absent since second on AW in January and that's the longest break he's had for two years, which asks a question, but he has to be considered off his last winning mark.

16/1

2nd

7

(3)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Feel The Need

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Easy to make a case on last year's peak form but signed off with two quiet runs and now back from three months off; not without hope if the break has done him good; has form here.

14/1

11th

7

(7)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:00 Doncaster

Feel The Need

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

Enters the equation on best 7f form this year but his latest run at York, where he often goes well, was a letdown; seems to handle heavy ground, having finished close up in his sole attempt on it, but it's not necessarily a plus and he has a shade to prove now.

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

6th

7

(1)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lessay

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Patrick Morris

Three AW wins, the latest over C&D in December; went through a quiet spell since his most recent 7f run here (in January) but fared better back over C&D in May when going close off a reduced mark; bang there.

7/1

2nd

6

(6)

8th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lessay

9st 5lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Not at his best of late, but has dropped 8lb lower than when successful over C&D in January; needs a resurgence, but is too well handicapped to ignore.

20/1

7th

3

(3)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

13:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lessay

9st 8lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

Kept on well to score over 7f here (10-1; from 5lb higher) in December; form has dipped since February, slowly away, failing to beat a single rival at Newcastle (1m) just over a fortnight ago; needs to rediscover a spark.

12/1

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

6th

10

(4)

7th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

15:27 Windsor

Risen Again

9st 0lb

J: William Carson

T: John & Rhys Flint

A fair 1m2f winner at his best for Alice Haynes, but he's failed to beat a rival in handicaps at Lingfield (1m5f) and Bath (1m) in 2026; others appeal more.

25/1

11th

8

(11)

5th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Bath

Risen Again

9st 3lb

J: William Carson

T: John & Rhys Flint

Sole win (21 races) was over 1m2f at Yarmouth last May but subsequent efforts include two seconds; left Alice Haynes for 17,000gns in October and came last of 12 (hood removed) when upped to 1m5f for new yard in February; now has a bit to prove over a trip this short.

33/1

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

9th

8

(9)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

19:20 Lingfield (AW)

Onslow Gardens

9st 2lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Kevin Frost

19-race maiden; ran some good races in defeat for this yard last year, including when last seen in October (1m2f, good to soft); withdrawn at the start having got upset in the stalls ahead of this month's intended return (10-1 at the time of withdrawal); others preferred for win purposes.

14/1

12

(1)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

18:45 Nottingham

Onslow Gardens

9st 1lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Kevin Frost

Might have been a shade unlucky when close second over 1m here last August and he was a respectable third over 1m2f at Redcar (good to soft) when last seen in the autumn; should be competitive if ready to roll after 196 days off

16/1

3rd

6

(4)

4th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

14:46 Redcar

Onslow Gardens

9st 6lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Kevin Frost

Might have been a shade unlucky when close second at Nottingham (8.3f, good) in August and is now 2lb below that mark, but was unable to land a telling blow on next two starts (1m/9.4f) and must up his game on this first attempt at 1m2f.

10/1

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

1st

1

(6)

26th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

16:30 Bath

Show Biz Kid

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

5lb lower than for last April's Yarmouth win (1m2f, good); solid fourth at Windsor two weeks ago and now drops in class; high on the list.

4/1

4th

7

(2)

11th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:12 Windsor

Show Biz Kid

10st 12lb

J: Mr Ross Birkett

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

In good form in the first half of 2025, including a 1m2f win at Yarmouth (good ground) last April; ended the year quietly and he was only in midfield in a 1m2f handicap at Nottingham on his reappearance last month; on a dangerous mark if using that as a stepping stone.

15/2

6th

6

(3)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

18:45 Nottingham

Show Biz Kid

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

A bit below form on his final five starts last year but a revival can't be ruled out on return having dipped to 3lb below the mark he defied at Yarmouth (1m2f, good) last April.

20/1

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

5th

6

(3)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

15:50 Redcar

Cosmos Raj

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Closely-matched with Classic Encounter on their form at York last June (1m1f, good to firm); bit disappointing since Ripon win in July (1m, good to soft), although excuses for poor reappearance run (blindfold removed late).

20/1

9th

7

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:23 Pontefract

Cosmos Raj

9st 1lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Three wins last May/July at about 1m on various ground and he's back down to his last winning mark; ended 2025 quietly and there's a suspicion he'll improve for this comeback run; withdrawn after getting upset in the stalls at Ripon two weeks ago (25-1 at the time).

25/1

8

(7)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

Cosmos Raj

9st 7lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: David O’Meara

Three wins last May/July at about 1m on various ground and he's back down to his last winning mark; may have been ready for a break towards end of last season but there's a suspicion he'll improve for this comeback run.

9/1

+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