October 31 / 19.15 Southwell (AW)

19.15

Standard

Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £13189.68
  • 1m 0f 13y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

Form: 481-22 D BF

Last run: 240 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Useful 2yo, including a 1m AW win; good second in a local Group 2 in Qatar in February and followed that with a Listed second at Lingfield two weeks later (both 7f); back up to 1m for his handicap debut; unexposed but has an eight-month break to overcome.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(2)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Rajeko

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Bell

Only had three runs in the last 15 months and he hasn't beaten a rival in any of them; drops back in trip having been gelded; risky.

33/1

1

(5)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Rajeko

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Michael Bell

Useful 2yo, including a 1m AW win; good second in a local Group 2 in Qatar in February and followed that with a Listed second at Lingfield two weeks later (both 7f); back up to 1m for his handicap debut; unexposed but has an eight-month break to overcome.

7/2

1

(5)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Rajeko

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Michael Bell

Useful 2yo, including a 1m AW win; good second in a local Group 2 in Qatar in February and followed that with a Listed second at Lingfield two weeks later (both 7f); back up to 1m for his handicap debut; unexposed but has an eight-month break to overcome.

7/2

Form: 808935 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Unable to match 2024's heroics this year but he was successful at Chester in May off this mark and has been running in deep races since; should give his running but perhaps minor money will be his best hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 2

14:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Two Tempting

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

He was making his seasonal debut when only fifth in this race 12 months ago but he's been kept on the go this winter and has been better than ever; suspicion others will prove better handicapped here though.

8/1

3rd

5

(7)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 1

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Two Tempting

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

He has been a fine servant to connections and added wins eight and nine to his tally in 2025, the latest a 1m handicap at Kempton in November; ran as well as he ever has when second to an upwardly mobile 4yo over C&D five weeks ago but even that effort will need bettering in this field.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: -11640 CD

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
3-3 on AW, two of the wins coming over C&D, and he showed what he could do on turf when a fine fourth in the Britannia at Royal Ascot; last of 17 at the Ebor meeting but he was making some inroads when meeting traffic and eased inside the final furlong; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(3)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Dividend

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

In great form since wearing cheekpieces, completing a handicap double at Meydan then running well in better races, latest at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm; Listed) back on home soil; solid claims in the retained headgear.

11/2

3rd

4

(1)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Dividend

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Had a very productive spell at Meydan earlier in the year, winning two handicaps before progressing again when second to Quddwah in Group 2 Singspiel and fifth to Ombudsman in Group 1 Dubai Turf (both 1m1f, good); those efforts suggest he can make his presence felt in Listed races back in Britain but this is a particularly strong one.

20/1

Form: 963028 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Better than ever this summer, placed in strong 1m handicaps at Newcastle in June and August; tapped for speed over 7f last month but it was still a solid effort; no obvious reason why he won't be as effective at this track (has won around a bend); each-way shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:10 Newmarket (July)

Nikovo

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Michael Herrington

Gained last three wins on Newcastle AW; ran respectably back there on latest start; has bits of encouraging turf form this term but it's over two years since his last success in this sphere.

8/1

3rd

4

(10)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Nikovo

9st 4lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Herrington

Well suited by conditions and his last-gasp C&D win in March came off just 2lb lower; creditable efforts off his lower turf mark more recently; may find a few of his younger rivals better treated.

10/1

4th

6

(8)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:25 Redcar

Nikovo

9st 12lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Rated much lower on turf (2-20) than on the AW (5-22); hasn't run at all badly in his last two starts on grass including when eighth of 28 in the Victoria Cup; each-way claims down another 2lb.

12/1

Form: -55708 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Useful form in Europe last year; two good runs to begin his time with Ian Williams, including a fifth in the Britannia at Royal Ascot, but his form has cooled on his last two starts; returns from seven weeks off with his stable in flying form; interesting contender on AW debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(13)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Supido

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ian Williams

Performed well (first and third) at Chester in last two turf attempts and may be capable of further progress returned to this sphere; helps to give his connections, who also run Aalto, a robust hand.

9/1

7th

3

(7)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Supido

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

Good effort to win a 7.6f handicap at Chester on his reappearance and he ran to a similar level when third back there (7f) four weeks ago; today's stiffer test at the trip will suit and he has shown promise on AW.

4/1

3rd

5

(3)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Supido

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Finished close up in fifth in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last year (1m, good to firm); his 3yo campaign rather fizzled out but he dropped in the weights as a result and took full advantage with his 7.6f success here 24 days ago; well drawn again and a 4lb rise isn't beyond him.

5/2

Form: 134 C

Last run: 182 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Well backed when making a winning debut here in March (7f); creditable efforts in two conditions events in the spring; into a useful event for his handicap debut, and has a six-month absence to contend with, but he is still an unknown quantity.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(11)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:52 Goodwood

Al Arbeed

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Has been unable to sustain early progress and is 0-7 since debut success; ran respectably on penultimate start and is on a reduced mark but chance of doubling his tally largely depends on the effects of first-time headgear.

12/1

10th

11

(7)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Newmarket

Al Arbeed

8st 13lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Unraced on firmer than good; won debut on Southwell AW; close fourth on handicap debut there (1m) last October is markedly better than what he's done in three starts since, but he made late gains over 7f at Musselburgh on latest start to prompt some hope given today's step up in trip.

18/1

5th

4

(5)

4th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 2

13:55 Musselburgh

Al Arbeed

8st 13lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Successful 7f debut at Southwell; just a handful of starts since, showing useful form when fourth of ten on handicap debut in a warm race on Southwell AW in October only to run poorly next time; likely to come on for last week's Kempton run but now needs to show he can hack it on turf.

7/2

Form: 000750 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Had a fine time of things in 2024 but the handicapper has held the aces this year; didn't run badly at Kempton last month and subsequent turf defeat not the run to judge him on; others still look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(10)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

15:12 Newcastle (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 5lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Keiran Burke

Added to his excellent Kempton record with wins over 1m3f and 1m4f this year; another cracking effort there when chasing home the progressive Gamrai over 1m3f in March; probably worth ignoring a recent run on turf but his peak AW form (including all wins) has been achieved on Polytrack.

16/1

13th

9

(4)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 3

15:23 Sandown

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 5lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Keiran Burke

Fine from 1m to 1m4f; has won on turf but the AW looks more his scene and especially Kempton where he beat all bar a handicap snip the last time; back on grass others look safer.

10/1

2nd

8

(6)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Keiran Burke

Most of his wins have been at 1m but he swooped late on to score over 1m3f in January and led 1f out when asserting in tidy style over 1m4f early this month, both at this track; back up another 5lb and he's a 7yo, but peak form (October 2024) was a little better still and he's now 7-12 at Kempton; on the shortlist.

15/2

Form: 309405 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Drawn a blank since January 2024 but he hasn't had much clemency from the handicapper; latest AW run saw him finish fourth at Newcastle in June having met trouble in running and he will be in the shake-up if anywhere near that level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 177y

Class 4

16:50 York

Fantastic Fox

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Roger Varian

Smart handicapper at his peak but his form tailed off in the second half of 2025; has a reduced mark to work with as a result but the betting is perhaps the best guide after 198 days off.

14/1

8

(1)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Fantastic Fox

9st 2lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

Drawn a blank since January 2024 but he hasn't had much clemency from the handicapper; latest AW run saw him finish fourth at Newcastle in June having met trouble in running and he will be in the shake-up if anywhere near that level.

5/1

Form: 1-218 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Two wins and a second from his three runs in novice company; disappointed over 1m2f on his handicap debut at Doncaster seven weeks ago (tongue tied first time); gelded since; still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

First Principle

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: William Haggas

Best form has come on AW and he hung left when 3l last of six at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) in May last time; however, the trip appeared to stretch him and he's off the same mark as for his win at Wolverhampton (8.4f, AW) in March; not written off back at 1m in first-time cheekpieces.

10/1

6th

4

(5)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Windsor

First Principle

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Broadly progressive, mostly at about 1m and on AW, until posting duck eggs in last two outings; may prove resurgent back down in grade, and pedigree suggests the return to 1m2f is worth a go.

4/1

17th

8

(17)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

First Principle

8st 13lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: William Haggas

Having been gelded last autumn he enjoyed a good stint on AW, winning twice (1m/8.6f); soundly beaten at Newcastle (1m, AW) last time and he needs to transfer his improvement back to turf, but he remains lightly raced for his top yard and is not discounted under Ryan Moore.

14/1

Form: 013400 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won twice at around 1m this summer and also ran a cracker when third at York's Ebor meeting (in front of a couple of today's rivals); well short of his best on his last two starts but a revival wouldn't be a big shock.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Ripon

Sir Paul Ramsey

9st 1lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Two wins last summer and he showed spark as recently as this April; he's dropped to a dangerous mark but has failed to shine on his last three outings and arrives with something to prove.

8/1

7th

1

(1)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

16:00 Pontefract

Sir Paul Ramsey

9st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Well treated on the form he showed last August, including win at Haydock and close third at the York Ebor festival; absent since finishing rather tamely over C&D two months ago.

13/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £60.60
Straight Forecast £50.36
Tricast £182.34
Trifecta £272.20

Selections

The Times:

Al Arbeed

RP RATINGS:

Fantastic Fox

The Sun:

Rajeko

TOPSPEED:

Dividend

NEWMARKET:

First Principle

SPOTLIGHT:

Supido

Daily Record:

Rajeko

Telegraph:

Dividend

The Guardian:

Al Arbeed

Daily Mail:

Al Arbeed

Daily Mirror:

Al Arbeed

The Star:

Al Arbeed

POSTDATA:

Fantastic Fox

D Express:

Fantastic Fox