May 15 / 20.45 Southwell

20.45

Soft

Play With The Finest Bookmaker, Fitzdares Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Play With The Finest Bookmaker, Fitzdares Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.70
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 21/5- D BF

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 7yo who built upon his promising debut when winning easily at Chepstow (2m, good) in April 2022; disappointing favourite when reappearing in handicap chase in February (bled from the nose) but was given a wind op soon afterwards; now reverts to hurdling; still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Worcester

Tarahumara

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Back in good form this spring, most notably when keeping on well for narrow win at Warwick (2m3f, good) two starts ago; not yet fully exposed over this sort of trip and probably still on a workable mark; likely contender.

100/30

3rd

3

10th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Warwick

Tarahumara

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Emma Lavelle

His second run back from a lengthy break when emerging from off the pace to win narrowly over 2m3f here (good; 5lb lower) and there could be more to come over this far, as he's very lightly raced for a 9yo.

4/1

3rd

3

10th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Warwick

Tarahumara

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Emma Lavelle

His second run back from a lengthy break when emerging from off the pace to win narrowly over 2m3f here (good; 5lb lower) and there could be more to come over this far, as he's very lightly raced for a 9yo.

4/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 12002- D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner on good ground in early part of last season and seemingly back in good form when second at Kempton (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago; suited by this C&D; can make his presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Elham Valley

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Back in good form this spring (placed three times) and didn't run badly when fifth on latest outing three weeks ago, but there are still more obvious options than this high-mileage 7yo.

16/1

5th

2

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Elham Valley

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Won four times over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien, the latest a selling handicap off 1lb lower; solid efforts in three Southwell handicaps (2m-2m4f) for this yard and unlikely to be far away.

7/1

2nd

1

4th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:20 Southwell

Elham Valley

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

in touch with leaders

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 24653- D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on some of last season's form for Dan Skelton but finished rather weakly on final two starts for him and did so again after looking very likely winner on stable debut at Kempton (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago (ended up third, behind Elham Valley); has a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(8)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:10 Newcastle (AW)

Too Friendly

8st 7lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: James Owen

Seen far more often over hurdles; lost his way in that discipline but smooth 2m winner on the Kempton AW in March (first Flat start since 2021) and he's run well on turf since over 1m6f and 1m5f; often wears cheekpieces, which return today after he was hooded instead on penultimate start and had no headgear on latest; others are preferred for the win.

20/1

4th

4

(1)

2nd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:40 Hamilton

Too Friendly

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: James Owen

Seen far more often over hurdles (winner on varied ground); lost his way in that discipline but smooth 2m winner on the Kempton AW in March (first Flat start since 2021) and close second of six to Hope You Can Run at Newmarket (1m6f) two weeks ago; often wears cheekpieces, but hooded instead on latest start and has no headgear today; may still have more to offer on Flat.

8/1

2nd

6

(1)

19th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Newmarket

Too Friendly

9st 3lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: James Owen

Seen far more often over hurdles (winner on varied ground); has lost his way in that discipline but he was a smooth 2m winner on the Kempton AW in March (first Flat start since 2021) and was not discredited when tenth in the Chester Cup nine days ago; first-time hood replaces cheekpieces; may still have more to offer on Flat.

4/1

12/1

Form: 13522- D

Last run: 258 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won twice within a week on good ground last July and was still in good form when last seen in August but returns on a fairly tough mark and will want the ground to dry out here; usually ridden very patiently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

20:25 Newton Abbot

Karannelle

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: David Rees

Has won three times here, including over C&D; may have needed the run after a break when seventh of nine finishers over C&D (good) nine days ago; not out of this.

8/1

7th

1

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

Karannelle

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: David Rees

Has won three times here, including over C&D; below par on her last two starts of last season; yet to win when fresh but has run well after a break; on a competitive mark if she is ready.

12/1

Form: 24P35- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Ran well for a long way on first two stable starts but dropped out rather tamely at the business both times, more recently when reverting to hurdling at Ayr (2m4f, good) last month; has the services of Brian Hughes today and is on a very good mark now but will need to see this race out more strongly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Restandbethankful

10st 6lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Mixes chasing with hurdling and he's stuck on a losing run; last three efforts thoroughly underwhelming.

20/1

6

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 77y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Restandbethankful

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Course winner but it's now 16 starts since his last victory and he came in a remote fifth of seven over C&D on Boxing Day; he's not one to rely on.

9/1

8

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 5

14:45 Kelso

Restandbethankful

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Last win was at Cartmel in August 2024 (2m1f, soft); best run since when third over same C&D in July (good); bit disappointing last twice, but no surprise if he were to run well.

12/1

Form: 500/P- D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 8yo; well down the field on the AW here on stable debut in March and was pulled up in 2m4f handicap hurdle here last month; has too much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(8)

5th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

With A Start

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Peter Winks

towards rear

50/1

0

4

18th Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:05 Worcester

With A Start

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Peter Winks

Two modest chasing efforts and 26lb out of the handicap.

66/1

8/1

Form: 56261-

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 4yo who has joined Laura Morgan since winning a claiming hurdle on very soft ground in February; not an easy one to weigh up on his British debut; the market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:20 Uttoxeter

Toronet

11st 13lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

French hurdle winner in 2023; 0-9 in Britain, showing little when pulled up over fences at Exeter (blinkered first time) on debut for David Pipe on New Year's Day; needs the switch back to hurdling to have a positive effect.

33/1

3

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:20 Uttoxeter

Toronet

11st 13lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

French hurdle winner in 2023; 0-9 in Britain, showing little when pulled up over fences at Exeter (blinkered first time) on debut for David Pipe on New Year's Day; needs the switch back to hurdling to have a positive effect.

33/1

6

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:20 Exeter

Toronet

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

French hurdle winner in 2023; 0-8 in Britain for Laura Morgan and signed off for her with very disappointing chase run in October but was given a wind op the following month and starts off for David Pipe on a tempting mark; sports first-time blinkers and refitted tongue-tie; interesting.

9/1

Form: /1122- D BF

Last run: 175 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Began hurdling career with comfortable novice win at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) in September and may not have been ideally suited by the soft ground when well-held second on handicap debut at Ludlow (2m) in November; should still have more to offer but his fitness has to be taken on trust here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

15:02 Cartmel

Sea The Clouds

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Won here over C&D in July 2024 and over fences in July 2025 (his only wins in those years); the second of his two races this May (both under Leah Noreci) suggests he could be building up to a good run; first-time visor replaces his usual cheekpieces; stable runs three.

8/1

5th

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

19:08 Cartmel

Sea The Clouds

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Has plenty of form around here over hurdles and fences, and very nearly won this race 12 months ago off 1lb higher (under Charlotte Jones); ran surprisingly well when 125-1 for a Class 2 at Haydock last time; in the mix.

10/1

10th

12

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Sea The Clouds

10st 4lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Hurdles form (handicap winner over 2m4f-3m1f) does not look quite good enough in this higher grade and the form of his winning chase debut at Cartmel last July has been followed by heavy defeats in both starts since (ridden by this 10lb claimer on latest); others preferred.

33/1

Form: 63423- D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 12lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
12yo who is not the force of old and hasn't won since 2020; ended last season with two good efforts on slow ground and a recent 1lb drop helps but he may not be seen to the same effect if the ground starts to dry out here and younger rivals appeal more anyway.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:47 Uttoxeter

Mcgowans Pass

11st 10lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jennie Candlish

Won on soft ground over 2m4f here last May but has suffered three serious defeats in the meantime and he's a 14yo now.

14/1

6th

6

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:47 Uttoxeter

Mcgowans Pass

11st 10lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jennie Candlish

Won on soft ground over 2m4f here last May but has suffered three serious defeats in the meantime and he's a 14yo now.

14/1

5th

8

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

Mcgowans Pass

10st 9lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

disputed lead, not fluent 3rd, lost position after 4 out

16/1

Non-runners

Sea The Clouds, Mcgowan's Pass

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.80
Straight Forecast £19.05
Tricast £34.32
Trifecta £46.50

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Sea The Clouds

TOPSPEED:

Mcgowan's Pass

RP RATINGS:

Too Friendly

SPOTLIGHT:

Elham Valley

The Star:

Tarahumara

The Times:

Sea The Clouds

Telegraph:

Sea The Clouds

The Sun:

Sea The Clouds

Daily Record:

Sea The Clouds

Daily Mail:

Too Friendly

Daily Mirror:

Too Friendly

WEST COUNTRY:

Elham Valley

POSTDATA:

Mcgowan's Pass

The Guardian:

Mcgowan's Pass

D Express:

Mcgowan's Pass