March 16 / 18.10 Southwell (AW)

18.10

Standard

Spreadex Sports Cheltenham Festival Specials Handicap

  • Prize money: £4291.88
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Spreadex Sports Cheltenham Festival Specials Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 6080-5 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Usually comes to hand early and he left the impression his recent return to action would have got some of the freshness out of him; on a dangerous mark and he's more appealing than most.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:50 Catterick

Saisons DOr

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Veteran; game AW winner at Southwell (7f; 6-1) recently; 1lb rise looks fair and he's still 5lb lower than when successful over C&D (good to firm) last August; no reason why he shouldn't be thereabouts.

4/1

1st

3

(10)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:20 Southwell (AW)

Saisons DOr

9st 8lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Returned from break with three down-the-field runs this year but his fourth of ten over C&D three weeks ago was a big step back in the right direction and he's another 2lb lower today; considered each-way.

12/1

4th

11

(4)

7th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Saisons DOr

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

2-7 over C&D and 4lb below his last winning mark, but now at the veteran stage and has beaten a total of one rival in three starts since returning from five months off in February.

14/1

5/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 148071

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Back to form with a bang in first-time blinkers at Lingfield 12 days ago (1m), coming home comfortably on top; doubt he's handicapped out of things on that evidence but he's not the most consistent and the headgear isn't sure to work as well a second time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(9)

30th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

14:15 Pontefract

Mabre

10st 1lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: David Evans

Three 1m wins this season and he went desperately close at Chester 16 days ago (7.5f, soft); only 1lb higher here and Ben Curtis is a positive booking; one to take seriously.

6/1

2nd

9

(8)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

17:45 Chester

Mabre

9st 5lb

J: Owen Lewis

T: David Evans

All of his eight wins have been at 1m and latest was in blinkers at Newbury (good) in May; only 1lb higher than for that success but he's gone off the boil in last two starts and was a remote third over 7f here last time; down the list.

16/1

3rd

10

(1)

30th Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:40 Chester

Mabre

10st 5lb

J: Miss Sophie Bain

T: David Evans

Stands his racing really well and as good as ever when winning an apprentice handicap at Newbury (1m, good) last month; respectable second on firm going at Bath a week later; below-form fifth over 1m2f back at Newbury 15 days ago but this is more his trip.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 7-2384 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Rattled off a 7f Tapeta hat-trick in the autumn; beaten seven times since the third leg of that treble and he's still 4lb higher; finished in front of Saisons D'Or at Newcastle a fortnight ago but might not confirm those positions today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(9)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Bobby Joe Leg

9st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ruth Carr

11-time course winner who defied this mark over C&D in December; some creditable efforts since but he has been a bit up and down and was only sixth behind Anthropologist here last time; others preferred.

16/1

6th

5

(9)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bobby Joe Leg

9st 7lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

11-time course winner, the latest over C&D in December, and he twice finished placed over C&D last month; certainly of interest on that form but this 12yo has gone off the boil on his last two starts.

14/1

11th

1

(7)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Bobby Joe Leg

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Failed to fire at Newcastle last week but this veteran had run two fine races in defeat beforehand; fully effective at this track too so no great surprise were he to rebound quickly.

12/1

Form: 7-5977 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Game effort to win a 6f handicap at Kempton in September; now 3lb lower but he hasn't been operating at his peak this year; this looks a competitive enough race in which to try and bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(6)

7th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mostallim

9st 9lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Michael Appleby

C&D winner in 2022; ran away with a 6f Chelmsford race in July off just 2lb lower, which stands out this season but he has place claims on other 2023 evidence nevertheless.

7/1

3rd

1

(7)

14th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Chelmsford (AW)

Mostallim

9st 11lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

Ran away with a C&D handicap in July off just 3lb lower; two good efforts on Tapeta in successive days in early August; below par here last time but he can't be discounted.

6/1

6th

6

(10)

24th Aug 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Mostallim

9st 6lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Michael Appleby

midfield

7/2

5th
7 (4)
Daafy

11/2

Form: -03722 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
C&D winner this week last year off 4lb lower; banging at the door this winter without managing to put his head in front; a strong pace would aid his cause; each-way claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(10)

5th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Daafy

9st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Derek Shaw

Course regular who has been placed on both starts since winning over 7f here in January; also effective over 1m and current mark is probably not beyond him; ought to be on the premises again.

4/1

3rd

1

(3)

27th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Daafy

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Derek Shaw

Southwell specialist who has performed well (won then second) in C&D events this year and the form has received several boosts; strongly respected off an unaltered mark.

5/2

Form: 020-91 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Off the mark for this yard when winning a C&D handicap 16 days ago (runner-up has run well since), reportedly settling better; 3lb rise not insurmountable if he can back up that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(4)

21st May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Turbo Command

9st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Alison Hamilton

Losing run up to 14, but three of his five wins have come over C&D and he performed much better when second of 11 back here a fortnight ago; a player from the same mark.

11/4

2nd

6

(2)

7th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Turbo Command

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Alison Hamilton

Three-time C&D winner in 2023; well held in two starts since returning from a 364-day break, including here 26 days ago; dropped another 2lb.

10/1

9th

5

(11)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Turbo Command

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Alison Hamilton

Veteran three-time C&D winner; off 12 months before a well-held fifth of seven in 6f Newcastle handicap last month; needs to take a big step forward.

10/1

Form: 16-636 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Got up late to win a 7f handicap at Newcastle in December off a 1lb lower mark; mixed bag since but he has the ability to feature at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(3)

23rd Jun 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:20 Redcar

Like A Lion

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Third in a 1m selling handicap here last month but beaten about 6l, and remains that bit more compelling at the 7f of his two career successes, the latest on Tapeta before Christmas; down to a new career-low mark.

16/1

5th

7

(3)

1st Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:20 Ripon

Like A Lion

9st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

He's 2lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (7f, AW) last December and didn't run badly when third of seven in selling handicap at Redcar (1m) last time; however, he needs something extra here and is untested beyond 1m.

14/1

3rd

1

(1)

4th May 2023

Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

14:55 Redcar

Like A Lion

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Largely below par on the AW this winter and again returned to turf in a change of headgear when sixth in 7f Catterick handicap eight days ago; handily weighted now so he can't be totally dismissed.

3/1

16/1

Form: 89-956 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Now 5lb lower than when winning a 7f handicap at Chelmsford in November but that is a result of some modest runs since; others come here with slightly less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(2)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Yoshimi

9st 1lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

Has nine wins, including one over 6f here in January; best effort since when fourth of eight at Leicester (7f) when last seen in August; fairly treated if fully primed after a short break.

8/1

3

(6)

10th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Leicester

Yoshimi

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Michael Herrington

Has nine wins, including two over C&D; hasn't shown much on his last three starts, over 6f; cheekpieces worn last time are left off and return to 7f in his favour so not out of this.

8/1

6th

2

(6)

30th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Leicester

Yoshimi

9st 9lb

J: Andrea Pinna

T: Michael Herrington

Two of his five turf wins have come at this track, albeit over 7f; successful off today's mark (and for this rider) at Southwell in January; struggled in two runs back from a three-month break in the spring but grounds for expecting better today.

5/1

Form: 269-90 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Veteran with 11 career wins to his name, the latest of them over C&D 13 months ago off a 1lb higher mark; slow to come to hand this winter but the drop into Class 6 company is in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

(4)

8th May 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:20 Southwell (AW)

Custard The Dragon

8st 13lb

J: Jason Watson

T: John Mackie

Multiple C&D winner, mainly in the Fibresand days; it's been looking like the years have caught up since he returned from a nine-month absence though.

33/1

10th

10

(8)

31st Mar 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:50 Newcastle (AW)

Custard The Dragon

8st 12lb

J: Graham Lee

T: John Mackie

in rear

33/1

9th

1

(2)

16th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:10 Southwell (AW)

Custard The Dragon

9st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: John Mackie

towards rear, shaken up over 3f out

20/1

Form: 11-432 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
He is enjoying a fine winter, winning twice over C&D in December and running right up to his best when second at Newcastle last month (1m); should give it his all once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(5)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:57 Redcar

Martins Brig

8st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: David Thompson

Winner at Wetherby in April 2025 (7f, good to firm) and some fair runs since; hasn't been in much form on the AW this year and perhaps best watched for now.

33/1

7th

13

(7)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Martins Brig

9st 0lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: David Thompson

Triple C&D winner but he's finished in rear in his last three runs and and his last win was 12 months ago; one of three runners for the yard and he needs to turn things around.

16/1

8th

4

(2)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Martins Brig

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David Thompson

A three-time C&D scorer but he arrives out of sorts, beating only one in classified event over C&D 40 days ago; he needs this change of headgear to spark a resurgence.

16/1

Non-runners

Martin's Brig

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.30
Straight Forecast £49.51
Tricast £478.56
Trifecta £385.50

Selections

The Guardian:

Daafy

RP Ratings:

Mabre

The Star:

Turbo Command

SPOTLIGHT:

Saisons D'Or

Daily Mirror:

Martin's Brig

D Express:

Yoshimi

Daily Mail:

Daafy

The Sun:

Daafy

POSTDATA:

Mabre

Telegraph:

Mabre

Daily Record:

Turbo Command

The Times:

Saisons D'Or