March 05 / 19.00 Southwell (AW)

19.00

Standard

BetUK. Home Of The Acca Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 2m 0f 102y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
BetUK. Home Of The Acca Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1-1111 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Has proved a revelation over 1m6f-16.5f on Polytrack/Tapeta since joining this yard and bids for a sixth straight win; 3lb higher mark not a major issue given he only seems to do enough and he has to be high on the list provided he can continue his recent form on his first visit here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

20th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Warwick

The Craftymaster

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Tony Carroll

A nine-time Flat winner over 1m6f-2m, he made a pleasing hurdles debut when third of five finishers (with stablemate Alex The Great 27l back) in a Hereford maiden (2m, good) 15 days ago; steps up in trip and holds place claims.

7/1

3rd

6

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

18:12 Hereford

The Craftymaster

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Tony Carroll

Hurdles debutant who is a nine-time AW winner at 1m6f/2m, most recently in March; one of the better contenders in terms of achievements but an unconvincing turf record leaves him with something to prove.

11/2

6th

7

(7)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 24y

Class 5

16:15 Bath

The Craftymaster

8st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Tony Carroll

Got back on the scoresheet at Lingfield (2m, AW) last month and he ran to a similar level when fourth at Wolverhampton (1m6f) 11 days ago; on lower mark back on turf but he's struggled in his six runs in this sphere including three 2m handicaps; risks attached.

11/2

7/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 61112- D

Last run: 82 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Ended last year on a high, winning four of his last six starts over 1m6f/2m; they were all on Polytrack, though, and his Tapeta form doesn't match up (9706); enough to prove back from 82 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(3)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Kempton (AW)

Tradesman

9st 11lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Has often blown the start and he refused to jump away at all without the usual blinkers (back on here) last month; is capable off this mark but a lot will hinge on his mood and how he handles the stalls.

16/1

3

(3)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Kempton (AW)

Tradesman

9st 11lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

virtually refused to race, always behind

16/1

7

(2)

14th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

19:20 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tradesman

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David Simcock

Handles Tapeta but is best known for his Chelmsford work and has three poor efforts to his name here, including one at a short price; is long odds-on to blow the start too, so doesn't come without risk, going without headgear for the first time in ages.

5/1

11/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 01-019 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Bit of a mixed bag since returned to the AW in November (form 01010), albeit he faced a stiff task in a 0-88 contest over 1m4f here ten days ago; however, his two course wins in that period included one over this trip, so is capable of playing a part if on a going day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:50 Perth

Caldwell

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Returned from break with clearcut win in selling handicap at Fakenham (2m, good) in February but two lesser efforts followed (chase/hurdle); back from another break today; others have less to prove.

10/1

6th

4

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

16:53 Sedgefield

Caldwell

11st 8lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Jennie Candlish

held up in rear, not fluent 4th, hung right and outpaced home turn, hung badly right and lost touch after 2 out

11/2

Form: 26-232

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Running well lately as when beaten a short head here (1m6f; first-time blinkers) in January and when beaten a neck off this mark at Kempton (2m, Polytrack) 13 days ago; now 0-22, though, and others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:57 Warwick

De Vegas Warrior

10st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Longstanding maiden under both codes but he was running well when crashing out two from home at Taunton 17 days ago (3m, good); enters the reckoning.

7/1

9

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

De Vegas Warrior

10st 11lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Henrietta C Knight

Didn't fire on latest outing but began handicap hurdle career with encouraging thirds at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) and Fakenham (2m7f, good); 4lb lower now and Philip Armson claims 3lb today; could have a say.

12/1

6th

8

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:20 Southwell

De Vegas Warrior

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Fair stayer on the Flat (albeit a maiden); third in both handicap hurdles, more recently when upped to 2m7f at Fakenham (good) a fortnight ago, but needs to find something extra here; cheekpieces refitted.

8/1

Form: 111-21 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Record since returning to the AW in October reads 11121, his last two wins coming over 1m6f/16.5f around here; 4lb higher in a better race but still a major player in his current mood, especially being proven under the conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(7)

14th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Eagles Realm

10st 1lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Four wins (Class 6) on AW last autumn/winter; respectable third at this course most recently; place possibilities off unchanged mark.

8/1

4th

2

(7)

14th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Eagles Realm

10st 1lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Four wins (Class 6) on AW last autumn/winter; respectable third at this course most recently; place possibilities off unchanged mark.

8/1

3rd

11

(2)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

19:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Eagles Realm

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Four wins on Tapeta at up to 2m last autumn/winter; ran okay over 1m4f here last week given he wants further.

12/1

Form: 45251-

Last run: 152 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Improved for the step up in trip when off the mark at Salisbury (1m6f, soft) last October and returns to the Flat after two poor efforts over hurdles; has run well on Tapeta and remains relatively unexposed; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:10 Uttoxeter

Military Tycoon

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Came good at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in March and probably bettered that performance when close second at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) in April; reportedly not suited by the sharp track at Cartmel when very disappointing favourite last month but might bounce back in new headgear here and is evidently versatile ground-wise.

6/1

8th

11

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Military Tycoon

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Arrives on the up for his current yard, scoring at Fontwell (2m5f) in March before an excellent second of nine in 2m5f handicap at Newton Abbot the following month; he was a fair 1m6f Flat winner so merits serious consideration despite a 3lb weights rise.

7/2

8th

11

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Military Tycoon

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Arrives on the up for his current yard, scoring at Fontwell (2m5f) in March before an excellent second of nine in 2m5f handicap at Newton Abbot the following month; he was a fair 1m6f Flat winner so merits serious consideration despite a 3lb weights rise.

7/2

Form: 24548-

Last run: 148 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Two wins for the Johnston stable, including at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta); steps up to this trip for the first time on stable debut after five months off; worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Nottingham

Bulldog Spirit

9st 6lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Scored over C&D last May for Brian Ellison; yet to fire for his new yard in handicaps at Wolverhampton (1m4f) and Lingfield (2m) this spring though.

14/1

5th

4

(1)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

17:15 Lingfield (AW)

Bulldog Spirit

9st 10lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Bernard Llewellyn

A fair 1m6f scorer for Brian Ellison in 2025; beat only one for his new handler after seven months off in 1m4f handicap at Wolverhampton last month; needs to take a big step forward.

16/1

6th

7

(3)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bulldog Spirit

8st 10lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Debuts for a fourth yard having been picked up from Brian Ellison last autumn for 7,500gns; won first time out as a 2yo and on his comeback last spring, which gives hope, but there's not much room for manoeuvre off this mark.

20/1

Form: 86843-

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
The latest of his 12 career wins came from 3lb higher at Pontefract (2m2f, soft) last April, though he didn't seem bothered by the shorter trip when third of 11 after four months off at Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) in December; back from another 11 weeks off and each-way claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(8)

11th Jul 2024

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 6

14:35 Doncaster

Champagne City

10st 7lb

J: Miss Stephanie Dorey

T: B F Brookhouse

Useful dual-purpose performer in his prime but out of form in low-grade AW handicaps this year and again disappointed when back on turf last month; revival needed.

16/1

12th

12

(2)

13th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:45 Newbury

Champagne City

10st 5lb

J: Miss Margot Scudamore

T: B F Brookhouse

Dual-purpose veteran who gained his latest win in 2m2f marathon on soft ground in April 2023; placed under Margot Scudamore at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) in December but this year's AW form is very uninspiring.

12/1

4th

1

(6)

1st May 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

13:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Champagne City

11st 3lb

J: Miss Margot Scudamore

T: B F Brookhouse

raced in second, led after 2f

16/1

Form: 753/5- D

Last run: 377 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
No win since completing a hat-trick on Polytrack at the end of 2019; back with his former trainer after a year off and 5lb lower than when last seen; market may be informative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(3)

5th Mar 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Pianissimo

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Anthony Carson

No win since completing a hat-trick on Polytrack at the end of 2019; back with his former trainer after a year off and 5lb lower than when last seen; market may be informative.

20/1

5th

10

(6)

22nd Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Pianissimo

8st 9lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Jo Davis

took keen hold, prominent, lost ground but in touch with leaders after 4f

50/1

9

30th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Pianissimo

10st 6lb

J: James Davies

T: Jo Davis

Useful on the Flat in his prime and showed some aptitude for hurdling when placed in Uttoxeter maiden (2m, good to soft) for Anthony Carson in October 2020; regressed on the Flat in 2021, though, and today's stable debut comes after a long absence.

33/1

OUR TIP

15/2

Form: 004-44

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Fourth in three starts off this mark since returning from wind surgery, including twice over C&D, the latest ten days ago (winner has gone in again since); should go well again but a bit more is needed for the win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(2)

5th Mar 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Award Dancer

9st 12lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Fourth in three starts off this mark since returning from wind surgery, including twice over C&D, the latest ten days ago (winner has gone in again since); should go well again but a bit more is needed for the win.

15/2

4th

9

(3)

24th Feb 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 3

17:05 Southwell (AW)

Award Dancer

9st 1lb

J: Sam James

T: Grant Tuer

in touch with leaders on inner

11/1

4th

1

(7)

7th Jan 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Award Dancer

9st 13lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

midfield

13/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.00
Straight Forecast £57.51
Tricast £474.24
Trifecta £593.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

The Craftymaster

SPOTLIGHT:

Eagle's Realm

TOPSPEED:

Tradesman

The Times:

The Craftymaster

Telegraph:

The Craftymaster

D Express:

The Craftymaster

The Sun:

The Craftymaster

The Star:

The Craftymaster

NEWMARKET:

Tradesman

Daily Mirror:

Tradesman

POSTDATA:

Eagle's Realm

The Guardian:

Eagle's Realm

Daily Mail:

Eagle's Realm

Daily Record:

Eagle's Realm