May 07 / 18.42 Southwell

18.42

Good

Join Southwell Golf Club Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Join Southwell Golf Club Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 40/30-

Last run: 139 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer; third in this 12 months ago (on good) and combination of softer ground and tougher company an excuse for her heavy novice defeat at Ludlow when next seen in December; if repeating last year's form in this race she won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

13th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

17:20 Hereford

My Virtue

10st 9lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Mel Rowley

Good-ground winner off 6lb lower last season and mostly running well this campaign over hurdles and fences; latest run in a handicap chase needs forgiving but couldn't rule out.

5/1

8

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Uttoxeter

My Virtue

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Stuck to her task pretty well at Cartmel (2m5f, good) last month and has now finished second on two of her last three starts but the forecast rain is probably not helpful here; tongue-tie left off today.

14/1

2nd

8

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:35 Cartmel

My Virtue

10st 12lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Mel Rowley

Didn't really fire at Stratford last month and now 0-4 over fences but that run came just one week after a pretty good second there (2m3f, good to firm) and she's had a longer break this time; a possible.

8/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: O932-

Last run: 33 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Would surely have made a winning hurdle debut at Worcester (2m, good) last June only to run out at the final flight; hasn't progressed from there and his recent placings here in maidens (soft/heavy) were remote; William Maggs relieves a big weight with his claim but one or two others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:08 Newcastle

Ascension Day

10st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Ex-Shaun Lycett; maiden under all codes; well beaten or pulled up in all his races this year so has plenty to prove.

33/1

33/1

  • Place: £6.60

Form: P74PP-

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Has really struggled since leaving Nicky Henderson and pulled up in handicaps over hurdles and fences the last twice when big odds.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

2nd Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:00 Southwell

Royal Max

10st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

His near-9l fifth in this race last year (behind Clean Getaway) came at the end of a fairly busy spring/summer campaign; defied longer absence than today's for April's Sedgefield success, but yet to convince this higher sort of mark hasn't compromised him for further win purposes.

9/1

4th

4

18th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

15:55 Stratford

Royal Max

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Returned from break with win at Sedgefield (2m, good) last month, his fifth chase, and was placed off today's mark at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) a few days later; obvious contender in current form.

5/2

4th

4

18th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

15:55 Stratford

Royal Max

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Returned from break with win at Sedgefield (2m, good) last month, his fifth chase, and was placed off today's mark at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) a few days later; obvious contender in current form.

5/2

Form: /1366- D

Last run: 301 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Lost his way over hurdles and fences after winning a 2m good-ground chase last May for a different yard; had wind surgery ahead of this stable debut and could easily raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

14:00 Newcastle

Chemical Warfare

12st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: David Pipe

He's struggled on his last four starts but is now 3lb lower than when winning at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) last April and his southern trainer has a very healthy 24% strike-rate here; interesting, especially if backed.

12/1

3

18th Nov 2025

Good

2m 6f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Lingfield

Chemical Warfare

11st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Went up 40lb for winning six handicap chases last season (also won twice over hurdles); below par in three runs this season; needs to bounce back after a 139-day break.

10/1

2

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Worcester

Chemical Warfare

11st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Scored off 3lb lower mark at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) in April but well held subsequently at Fakenham (3m5f, good) and here over hurdles in May; looks too high in the weights.

12/1

Form: /PPP7-

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Placed over hurdles in Ireland in summer 2022 but has lost his way badly; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Eric Carmen

10st 13lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

In cracking form this season, with three wins and a second, until however he went down by 25l at Bangor (good) on latest start; maybe the ground that day was not soft enough; major player if bouncing straight back.

13/2

6th

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Eric Carmen

10st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

A lot more exposed than many in here but he's been in cracking form since returning from an absence and his defeat at Leicester was no backward step (2m4f, good to soft); firmly in the mix.

3/1

2nd

3

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Leicester

Eric Carmen

11st 9lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Has thrived since returning from a break in December, winning two of his three runs over hurdles before adding a third win of the season reverting to fences at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) last month, each time under Benjamin Macey; he's up 4lb for last time but is very much a leading contender in current form.

5/4

Form: 3/P0P-

Last run: 114 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Four Flat wins at up to 1m4f for Richard Hughes and twice third over hurdles for that yard; yet to find his form under either code since changing bases and now tongue-tied; too risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:12 Stratford

Tessy Lad

10st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Sam England

Good second over fences in July but failed to complete his next two chases and both subsequent Flat runs were also disappointing; reverts to hurdling with questions to answer.

16/1

4th

6

(3)

18th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 27y

Class 3

17:15 Pontefract

Tessy Lad

8st 11lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Ex-Richard Hughes; four Flat wins (one on the AW) at up to 1m4f; yet to race at this sort of trip on the Flat and not shown a great deal for his new yard; hood now tried; not an obvious candidate.

33/1

9th

3

(8)

31st Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

15:15 Redcar

Tessy Lad

10st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Hasn't looked a natural over hurdles/fences and has enough to prove back on the Flat here having failed to complete the last twice; tongue-tie retained; blinkers added.

20/1

Form: /065P-

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
16-race maiden who hasn't looked at home on testing ground in her last three races; has had her share of disappointments on goodish ground but her second here in March of last year on good to soft isn't forgotten.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

7th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

18:42 Southwell

Dazzling Dove

10st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Billy Aprahamian

16-race maiden who hasn't looked at home on testing ground in her last three races; has had her share of disappointments on goodish ground but her second here in March of last year on good to soft isn't forgotten.

12/1

7th

6

7th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

18:42 Southwell

Dazzling Dove

10st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Billy Aprahamian

16-race maiden who hasn't looked at home on testing ground in her last three races; has had her share of disappointments on goodish ground but her second here in March of last year on good to soft isn't forgotten.

12/1

6

20th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

17:15 Market Rasen

Dazzling Dove

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Billy Aprahamian

in touch with leaders, lost ground after 3 out, soon struggling

15/2

OUR TIP

Form: 4/5U6-

Last run: 129 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Unlikely that it represented any improvement on his bumper form when a close sixth at Taunton in December (2m3f novice, good to soft) but he's one to be interested in on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Mersey Street

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won at Sedgefield (2m3f, good to soft) in February and was runner-up on his return visit over 2m5f two weeks later; looks interesting on that form but he needs to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Carlisle in March.

12/1

7th

13

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Mersey Street

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Sound performances (won then good second) at Sedgefield last month, while leaving the impression this return to a right-handed track will prove ideal; may still have more to offer over fences; in the mix.

10/1

2nd

3

19th Feb 2026

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:17 Sedgefield

Mersey Street

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Decisive winner over 2m3f here last time (good to soft); this longer trip will suit (has won over 3m1f) and should go well despite 6lb rise.

13/8

Form: 3P00P-

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Unlike some of these he does have experience in handicaps but they're nothing to shout about, the latest over fences; kicks for a new yard with much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:12 Fontwell

No Mean Feat

10st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Simon Hodgson

Remains a maiden and has been quiet in four runs after a long absence; no obvious significance in the return of cheekpieces.

20/1

6th

6

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

19:30 Taunton

No Mean Feat

10st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Simon Hodgson

0-14 over hurdles and has shown little in three runs (2m-2m4f) since returning from a long absence; cheekpieces tried last time quickly dispensed with; plenty to prove.

12/1

Form: 9P36-

Last run: 105 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Two runs in these colours for David Pipe; has shown more in his runs for this yard in races won by useful novices; could be interesting now handicapping off this low a mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

18:42 Southwell

Marrakushi

10st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Michael Blake

Two runs in these colours for David Pipe; has shown more in his runs for this yard in races won by useful novices; could be interesting now handicapping off this low a mark.

9/2

5

7th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

18:42 Southwell

Marrakushi

10st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Michael Blake

Two runs in these colours for David Pipe; has shown more in his runs for this yard in races won by useful novices; could be interesting now handicapping off this low a mark.

9/2

6th

6

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:00 Newbury

Marrakushi

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Michael Blake

took keen hold, led

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £82.20
Straight Forecast £77.87
Tricast £2381.67
Trifecta £1262.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Ascension Day

WEST COUNTRY:

Mersey Street

Telegraph:

Chemical Warfare

SPOTLIGHT:

Marrakushi

The Times:

My Virtue

D Express:

Mersey Street

The Sun:

Mersey Street

POSTDATA:

Ascension Day

Daily Mail:

Ascension Day

Daily Mirror:

Ascension Day

Daily Record:

Ascension Day

The Guardian:

Chemical Warfare

The Star:

Chemical Warfare