August 17 / 16.52 Southwell (AW)

16.52

Standard

Coopers Marquees Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 4f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Coopers Marquees Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly sunny

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £53.00
  • Place: £10.20

Form: 60379-

Last run: 295 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
In very good form over hurdles when last seen in December/January, winning three consecutive low-grade handicaps (all on soft ground); returns from 228-day break with usual cheekpieces missing, though, and his current Flat ability is hard to gauge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

16:05 Fontwell

Motazzen

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Took form to new level when scoring by 10l over C&D (good to soft) in March but his two hurdle runs in May were disappointing and, following a wind op, he was soundly beaten on the Flat 12 days ago; has a point to prove.

5/1

9th

6

(1)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

13:30 Southwell (AW)

Motazzen

9st 8lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Henrietta C Knight

50-1 winner of this race last year off 4lb lower; following 228 days off; 10l winner over hurdles this March, followed by two modest shows in May; had wind operation (his second) in July and needs a second look.

14/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 572246

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Disappointed when upped to 1m6f last month (raced too freely) and is now 0-8 but made the frame in three consecutive turf handicaps in May-July (11.4f-1m4f) and those efforts make him of interest here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(10)

10th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Kingmaker

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Still a maiden after ten runs but has finished second in three handicaps at around 1m4f this year and again ran well when third of six at Chelmsford (13.3f) last month; usually sticks to his task pretty well; probably won't be far away.

4/1

4

(3)

18th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 5f 66y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Kingmaker

9st 8lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

0-9 but did bounce back from a lesser effort at Sandown (1m6f) when second at Southwell (1m4f) last month in his first handicap on AW; thereabouts with a repeat.

3/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 0-1123

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Started off in handicaps with two turf wins (1m5f/1m6f) and made the frame on his next two outings (1m4f/1m6f); persistently denied clear run before running on for third at Sandown (1m6f, good) last time and may still have more improvement to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(7)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Whatsgoingonmarvin

9st 2lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Mickey Bowen

A useful 1m5f Flat winner for Sir Mark Prescott last year; only fair form at best in four hurdle outings for this yard since, including when well-held sixth on Stratford handicap debut in that sphere four weeks ago; returns to the Flat with something to prove; first-time cheekpieces go on.

40/1

6th

9

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

17:08 Stratford

Whatsgoingonmarvin

10st 11lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

A useful 1m5f Flat winner for Sir Mark Prescott; changed hands for 115,000gns and shaped well when runner-up in 2m Catterick juvenile hurdle in January; faced a stiff task in Haydock's Victor Ludorum last time and remains with potential now handicapping.

9/2

6th

7

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

12:55 Haydock

Whatsgoingonmarvin

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

A fairly useful and three-time Flat scorer (at up to 1m6f) for Sir Mark Prescott in 2025; beat only one on his hurdling debut at Kempton but vastly improved when a clear second of nine in 2m Catterick juvenile 15 days ago; open to further progress but this demands plenty more.

25/1

11/2

Form: -80632

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Still a maiden after eight runs but suggested his turn is near when keeping on well for close second here (1m3f) three weeks ago; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

1st Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

14:20 Lingfield (AW)

Divot

11st 2lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: William Knight

Has form on AW; weakened late over 11.5f last time when bidding for Yarmouth hat-trick (maiden previously); gained his two wins over 1m2f and warrants respect back down in trip with very promising amateur Henry Callan booked.

3/1

3rd

4

(2)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:13 Yarmouth

Divot

8st 13lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: William Knight

Took 17 runs to gain a first win, over 1m2f here in July, but followed up in another 1m2f handicap at this track 17 days ago; up 5lb but latest runner-up has gone in since, so he's not taken at all lightly in his hat-trick bid.

2/1

1st

1

(4)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 6

16:20 Yarmouth

Divot

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: William Knight

Well backed when making all and winning easily at the 17th attempt over C&D (good to firm) this month; up 7lb, but a chance he may enjoy his own way again so could be hard to catch if he does.

Evs

5th
5 (11)
Appier

12/1

Form: -73255 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Finished well to snatch second from Papagei at Lingfield (11.6f, good) in May and is also suited by Tapeta but his tendency to lose significant ground at the start is always a big drawback, and he was unable to land a telling blow on his last two outings; hooded for first time here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(7)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Goodwood

Appier

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Tony Carroll

Eleven wins include one over C&D (soft; equally effective on good to firm) on yard debut in June; back up 6lb but has won off slightly higher marks on the AW and his latest Sandown third, where he kept persevering, suggests he should be on the premises again.

10/1

3rd

1

(5)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Sandown

Appier

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tony Carroll

Career win number 11 when coming clear at Goodwood (1m6f, soft) on his debut for Tony Carroll; effective on faster ground and a 6lb rise might not stop him if he's turned a corner.

3/1

1st

8

(2)

12th Jun 2026

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:39 Goodwood

Appier

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tony Carroll

Mainly seen on the AW these days, but he did win three times on turf as a 3yo; interesting to see how he fares in the market on debut for Tony Carroll (same owner).

10/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 355337

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Disappointed when last in action and remains on a losing streak but competes off new career-low mark here and will be suited by the trip-and-surface combination; hooded for first time; can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(12)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

16:52 Southwell (AW)

Lord Protector

10st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

Disappointed when last in action and remains on a losing streak but competes off new career-low mark here and will be suited by the trip-and-surface combination; hooded for first time; can't be ruled out.

10/1

7th

1

(2)

2nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

19:00 Hamilton

Lord Protector

10st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Hasn't won for a while but his turn will come and a tactical race didn't suit when third to Spanish Hustle here recently.

7/1

3rd

1

(1)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 15y

Class 4

19:45 Hamilton

Lord Protector

10st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ruth Carr

No win since taking a Class 2 at Sandown (1m2f) in July 2023; kicked off 2025 with a pleasing AW effort at Newcastle (runner-up from 4lb higher) but unable to build positively on that since; latest 1m4f Ripon third (Haptics sixth) respectable but the wait for another win may go on.

9/2

12/1

Form: 443347 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won three times on Tapeta in December/January (1m4f-1m6f) and was still in good form in the spring; safely held on turf last week, after a break, but might have needed that outing and now returns to this surface on a workable mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:30 Carlisle

Swinging London

9st 4lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: John Mackie

Five wins on AW, including at Southwell (1m6f) last time; may remain competitive but looks by no means guaranteed to follow up, being 0-15 in Flat turf events; just 1-20 over hurdles.

6/1

1st

3

(2)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Swinging London

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: John Mackie

Dual C&D winner; beaten 2l when fourth of six here last month and he was unfortunate not to go even closer when fourth of 12 at Pontefract (1m4f, good to soft; short of room late on) 16 days ago; switches back to the AW with a good chance.

7/4

4th

3

(7)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

16:27 Pontefract

Swinging London

9st 7lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: John Mackie

Returned to the Flat with respectable fourth of six at Southwell (1m4f, AW) last month but is still 3lb higher than for narrow AW win last autumn, and his Flat turf strike-rate is 0-14.

10/1

14/1

Form: 46428- C

Last run: 285 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
On workable mark if judged on pick of form from first half of last year but returned from break with disappointing run in the autumn and has been absent for another 285 days since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(8)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

16:52 Southwell (AW)

Real Terms

9st 13lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

On workable mark if judged on pick of form from first half of last year but returned from break with disappointing run in the autumn and has been absent for another 285 days since.

14/1

8th

6

(6)

5th Nov 2024

Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 3

14:00 Redcar

Real Terms

9st 1lb

J: Sam James

T: Grant Tuer

Has won on good to soft; losing turf run goes back more than a year but she ran up to her recent best when second of 14 at Hamilton (1m3f, good) in June; needs to be on song to win off this mark back from break.

10/1

Form: 303825 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Triple turf winner last year (1m2f-1m4f); probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark but made bold bid from the front when close second at Salisbury (1m4f, good to firm) last month and subsequent run in a Racing League event was perfectly respectable; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

17

(10)

29th Jul 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Papagei

9st 7lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Thomas Gibney

Twice a winner in Britain for James Ferguson at 1m4f; kept to hurdling so far by current trainer, just okay form; first try at this extended trip, okay mark.

14/1

5th

4

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

16:00 Sligo

Papagei

11st 8lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Thomas Gibney

Three-time British Flat winner for James Ferguson; no wins since 2024; enters handicap hurdle company for the first time now following moderate efforts in four maidens; best watched.

15/1

Form: 931-57 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Returned from layoff with low-key turf run three weeks ago but won over about 1m4f on Tapeta at Newcastle in December and has obvious claims here if back at that level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(10)

18th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Desert Emperor

10st 1lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Won a Newcastle handicap over a similar trip last December off the same mark; best effort this year when second of five back at Newcastle three weeks ago; suspicion the 3yos will have his measure this time.

10/1

1

(4)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Emperor

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Won over C&D in December but he's returned from a layoff with two low-key runs this summer; only 1lb higher than for that last success but tailed off at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) last month and needs a major revival.

20/1

10th

4

(1)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

16:52 Southwell (AW)

Desert Emperor

10st 1lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Returned from layoff with low-key turf run three weeks ago but won over about 1m4f on Tapeta at Newcastle in December and has obvious claims here if back at that level.

14/1

12/1

Form: 14229- BF

Last run: 337 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Won on turf (1m6f, good to soft) for Alan King last spring but signed off for him with a poor 2m AW run in September and may not be ideally suited by the drop back in trip for this seasonal/stable debut; visor removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(3)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

16:52 Southwell (AW)

Smart Charger

8st 13lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Won on turf (1m6f, good to soft) for Alan King last spring but signed off for him with a poor 2m AW run in September and may not be ideally suited by the drop back in trip for this seasonal/stable debut; visor removed.

12/1

9th

3

(1)

14th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

12:55 Lingfield (AW)

Smart Charger

10st 0lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Alan King

Series of good runs for new yard since April, winning at Yarmouth in May and runner-up in AW handicaps the last twice; should be in the thick of the action once again.

4/1

2nd

7

(8)

7th Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:55 Kempton (AW)

Smart Charger

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Alan King

Came away with Fictional at Lingfield early last month off a 3lb lower mark and is closely matched with that one on revised terms; should go well again switched from cheekpieces to a first-time visor.

6/1

Non-runners

Lancashire

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £331.10
Straight Forecast £267.83
Tricast £546.78
Trifecta £1202.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

The Times:

Divot

TOPSPEED:

Swinging London

RP RATINGS:

Lord Protector

POSTDATA:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

NEWMARKET:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

Telegraph:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

D Express:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

Daily Mirror:

Divot

The Sun:

Divot

The Star:

Divot

Daily Record:

Divot