September 13 / 20.45 Southwell (AW)

20.45

Standard

William Hill Epic Value Racing League Race 42 Handicap (Racing League)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 4f 14y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
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William Hill Epic Value Racing League Race 42 Handicap (Racing League)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 143-62 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Comparatively fresh, having raced only twice this term; close second at Newbury (1m4f) on latest occasion, bouncing back from his spring flop; has low mileage and may do better still; one to consider on AW debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:33 Uttoxeter

Valsad

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

led, 1 length ahead going okay when fell 2 out

4/6

1st

5

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

17:40 Uttoxeter

Valsad

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

made all, wandered at early obstacles, went clear after 4th, reduced lead when mistake 3 out, unchallenged

8/15

13th

7

(9)

6th Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton (AW)

Valsad

9st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Better than ever when quite a comfortable winner of a 13-runner race at Southwell (1m4f) four weeks ago; raised 5lb to a clear career-high mark so another improved effort will be required to follow up.

16/1

11/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: -41123

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Successful over 1m2f/1m3f on turf/AW this summer; creditable third in Racing League event over 9.5f at Wolverhampton last week; however, has something to prove back at 1m4f (second attempt); hood applied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(3)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:01 Newbury

Graignes

9st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: George Baker

Won twice last summer and ground should not be a problem, but he lost his form in Bahrain in the winter and there's not been a significant revival back in Britain for last five outings; 18lb lower than this time last year.

33/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 127331 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Ran well in Racing League event at Yarmouth (1m2f) in July, then rallied tenaciously to land the Shergar Cup Classic at Ascot (1m4f) last month; 2-3 at Southwell early this year and commands respect back here; this 3yo colt is open to further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(1)

13th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

20:45 Southwell (AW)

Regal Empire

8st 9lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: James Tate

Ran well in Racing League event at Yarmouth (1m2f) in July, then rallied tenaciously to land the Shergar Cup Classic at Ascot (1m4f) last month; 2-3 at Southwell early this year and commands respect back here; this 3yo colt is open to further improvement.

5/1

1st

4

(6)

12th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Regal Empire

9st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: James Tate

Both wins on Southwell's Tapeta but he has achieved better RPRs on turf since, posting another solid effort when third (Like A Tiger fifth) in a Racing League handicap at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to soft) 16 days ago; steps back up in trip now.

13/2

3rd

9

(3)

27th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 2

20:30 Yarmouth

Regal Empire

8st 3lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: James Tate

First four runs were on Tapeta this January/February, winning 1m novice and 1m3f handicap; good 4l second to Like A Tiger in handicap at Newmarket (1m2f Rowley Course, good to soft) on turf debut in April; not disgraced in Lingfield Derby Trial (run on AW this year) next time and made a solid return to turf when third of ten on the July Course at Newmarket (good to firm) 27 days ago; each-way claims.

9/1

Form: 5-8816

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Irish 5yo who brings Racing League form, having won at Chepstow then looked better than the bare result (met trouble) at Windsor last month, both over 1m2f; return to 1m4f is the question mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

(1)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Star Harbour

8st 11lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Adrian McGuinness

Irish-trained 8yo, on a long losing sequence; not entirely disgraced when fourth of ten at Leopardstown (1m4f, good) two weeks ago; others have more potential but he's certainly well treated on his best form.

16/1

4th

4

(5)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Leopardstown

Star Harbour

10st 7lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: Adrian McGuinness

Seven-time winner, on a long losing sequence now, although soft/heavy ground not ideal of late; handicapper relenting so don't rule out with ground more in his favour; rider/trainer had a winner at Roscommon on Monday.

8/1

14th

7

(12)

3rd May 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 30y

15:43 Cork

Star Harbour

9st 2lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Seven-time winner, on a long losing sequence now; unplaced in two outings this term; others have stronger credentials.

14/1

Form: 812148 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Never figured in Racing League contest at Wolverhampton (1m6f; second start for new yard) last week and all wins remain in Class 5; first-time cheekpieces need to make a difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

9th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

17:15 Brighton

The Thunderer

10st 3lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

switched to near side

4/1

6th

9

(1)

29th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:45 Southwell (AW)

The Thunderer

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Stuart Williams

Beaten half a length or less in his last two starts at Newmarket (1m2f/1m4f); has winning form on Tapeta (at Wolverhampton) and is 8lb lower than when last on the AW, but losing run up to 14; needs a bit more.

11/1

3rd

3

(6)

23rd Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Newmarket (July)

The Thunderer

9st 6lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Stuart Williams

Has won four middle-distance handicaps and latest was off 9lb higher at Chester (1m4f, good) last June; 0-13 since but he bounced back with a close call over 1m2f here last Friday and is a big player if he can repeat that form (due to be 2lb higher in future).

9/4

OUR TIP

7/2

Form: 652610 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won on Tapeta in 2022; successful in two useful 1m4f handicaps on turf this term and went close in the Old Newton Cup; didn't quite see out 1m6f in the Ebor most recently; back down in trip, he remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

5

(17)

14th Jun 2024

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Scampi

9st 3lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Andrew Balding

Two good wins at 1m4f in 2023, impressing on this track (good) and just scraping home at Ascot (good to soft) in October; effective over C&D but he lacks a recent run and his time is more likely to come when back up in trip; hood refitted for the first time in 12 months.

14/1

4th

5

(10)

14th Oct 2023

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:35 York

Scampi

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Andrew Balding

dwelt start, in touch with leaders

7/1

Form: 034972 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has a largely consistent record on AW, most recently second in Racing League contest at Newcastle (1m2f) a fortnight ago; losing run is mounting up but last success came at this venue; step back up in distance looks ideal; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

8

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Onesmoothoperator

9st 8lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Won the 2024 Northumberland Plate (2m, AW) and also a Group 3 handicap in Australia (1m4f, good) last October; usually held up and he came from the back when seventh of 20 in this race last year; whether he's well enough handicapped to win this time round remains to be seen but he's shown enough in his two British starts this summer to demand each-way respect.

28/1

4th

3

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Onesmoothoperator

9st 0lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Won last season's Northumberland Plate (2m, AW) and also a Group 3 handicap in Australia (1m4f, good) last October; some fair efforts in Meydan earlier this year, and also in the Northumberland Plate a fortnight ago following a break, but he needs to raise his game to take this.

12/1

8th

1

(7)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Onesmoothoperator

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Brian Ellison

Usually runs well at Newcastle, where he won this race last year in good style; took a big prize in Australia last October and struck up a solid sequence over the winter; absent 119 days and 12lb higher than 12 months ago, which surely demands a career best, but needs respect.

10/1

Form: 302827 CD

Last run: 47 days

W: 8st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Performed respectably at Kempton on most recent AW attempt but was no match for Saratoga Gold and this is a higher grade; well exposed 8yo who is on a 16-race losing sequence; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

26th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Lingfield (AW)

Protected Guest

10st 3lb

J: Tom Queally

T: George Margarson

7th

1

(5)

9th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Protected Guest

10st 1lb

J: Tom Queally

T: George Margarson

slowly away, in rear

10/1

8th

12

(9)

13th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

20:45 Southwell (AW)

Protected Guest

8st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: George Margarson

Performed respectably at Kempton on most recent AW attempt but was no match for Saratoga Gold and this is a higher grade; well exposed 8yo who is on a 16-race losing sequence; opposed.

25/1

10/1

Form: 855003 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Respectable third in notable 1m6f handicap at Haydock last Saturday, taking a step back in right direction; won off 2lb higher at Meydan on sole 1m4f attempt and holds a good chance if back to that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(12)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Enemy

9st 11lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ian Williams

Durable veteran who won twice on the AW early this year; however, he was soundly beaten at Newcastle on Good Friday and faces some unexposed rivals on his return to turf.

25/1

10th

3

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Enemy

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ian Williams

Snapped a losing sequence at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) in January before close third at Wolverhampton (2m), and returned to winning ways at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) latest; this 9yo is in a more competitive race today but there remains mileage in his mark judged on his old form; might not be far away.

14/1

1st

4

(1)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 2

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Enemy

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ian Williams

Still very useful at the age of nine, getting his head back in front at Southwell (1m4f) on New Year's Day; split reopposing pair Roaring Legend and Brasil Power when creditable third of six over 2m at Wolverhampton three weeks ago but he has yet to win over this trip.

4/1

Form: 1213-6 BF

Last run: 169 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Solid record in France until form dipped on sole run this year; sold for 25,000euros since; pitched into a competitive handicap on British debut and is best watched unless the market speaks positively.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

24th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:28 Uttoxeter

Percy Shelley

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Three Flat wins and he's 2-5 over hurdles; competitive in both disciplines since returning from a break and this scenario is ideal for him.

10/1

4th

1

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Percy Shelley

9st 12lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: James Owen

Made good start to hurdling career in the autumn, including when going close in a Cheltenham novice (2m4f, good to soft; has won on good ground); reappeared with a creditable third at Plumpton last month and he's feasibly treated on his best Flat form last year, including a sequence of runner-up efforts over staying trips; respected back in this sphere.

9/2

3rd

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Percy Shelley

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Useful Flat performer who made good start to hurdling career in the autumn, including when going close in a Cheltenham novice (2m4f, good to soft; has won on good ground); flopped at Ascot (2m5f, good) in November but has had a break since and retains potential now in his first handicap hurdle.

10/1

Form: 3U1690 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Useful performance to beat Protected Guest by 7l at Kempton (1m4f) in July, taking AW record to 2-5; now only 4lb higher and looks quite interesting back in this sphere, despite underwhelming turf form since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(5)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 5

19:10 Yarmouth

Saratoga Gold

9st 5lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Kevin Frost

Losing run stretches back to July 2023 but he ended 2025 in good form and his reappearance at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) 18 days ago was a positive one; stepping back up in distance is a positive but he could do with the ground drying out.

5/1

3rd

4

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

19:02 Doncaster

Saratoga Gold

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Serial winner in his younger days but been dry in almost three years; does have a comeback spring victory to his name but all other wins came in the second half of the year and he may need this at his age back from five months off.

7/1

12/1

Form: 7-0302 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent results for new stable this term; respectable second of four at Goodwood (1m4f) most recently but now returns to a deeper field and is 0-5 on AW; not certain to back up latest effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(10)

3rd Nov 2023

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:10 Newmarket

Soto Sizzler

9st 12lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary Moore

midfield, weakened from 2f out

12/1

2nd

2

(1)

1st Oct 2023

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 3

16:00 Epsom

Soto Sizzler

9st 12lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary Moore

Creditable third in City And Suburban Handicap over C&D (soft) in April and now 6lb lower but has very mixed record for new stable this season and it's hard to know what to expect from him after last month's poor AW run.

8/1

12th

5

(7)

13th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

20:45 Southwell (AW)

Soto Sizzler

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Gary Moore

Inconsistent results for new stable this term; respectable second of four at Goodwood (1m4f) most recently but now returns to a deeper field and is 0-5 on AW; not certain to back up latest effort.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £46.40
Straight Forecast £47.97
Tricast £209.11
Trifecta £205.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Regal Empire

RP RATINGS:

Saratoga Gold

Telegraph:

Valsad

The Times:

Onesmoothoperator

The Guardian:

Scampi

POSTDATA:

Graignes

Daily Mirror:

Soto Sizzler

NEWMARKET:

Regal Empire

Daily Mail:

Regal Empire

D Express:

Regal Empire

The Sun:

Regal Empire

Daily Record:

Regal Empire

The Star:

Valsad

TOPSPEED:

Saratoga Gold

LAMBOURN:

Saratoga Gold