October 03 / 17.15 Southwell

17.15

Good

weatherbysshop.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
weatherbysshop.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: U-3116 D

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
3-7 for new stable since March but was fortunate to collect four-runner Bangor hurdle (2m, good) in June and ought to have been suited by the heavy ground when only sixth at Cartmel ten weeks ago; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:55 Newton Abbot

Feel The Pinch

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

No longer the force of old but returned from break with C&D (good) win off much reduced mark in June and subsequently ran well over fences here; still well handicapped over hurdles and seems versatile regarding ground; no surprise if he features.

6/1

2nd

4

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:43 Newton Abbot

Feel The Pinch

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Capitalised on a reduced mark over hurdles here (2m1f, good) ten days ago when back from a break; he wasn't running well over fences towards the end of last year but he's a three-time chase winner who is able to run off the same mark as for that recent hurdle win, so is entitled to respect.

9/4

1st

1

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:57 Newton Abbot

Feel The Pinch

12st 0lb

J: Mr James King

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Nine-time winner over jumps, including over C&D last July; out of form over hurdles and fences afterwards but the booking of James King catches the eye and, having dropped to a career-low mark, this 11yo could be a player back from a break.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 647-87 D

Last run: 3 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Quite useful in his prime but has dropped a long way down the weights over the last year or so and did not look poised to capitalise when safely held at Market Rasen (a track he likes) on Saturday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:40 Hereford

Stonific

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary Hanmer

Not firing on all cylinders this year but handicapped accordingly now and has been placed twice this month; suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; ought to be right in the thick of things again.

5/1

3rd

5

11th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:10 Ludlow

Stonific

11st 3lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

held up in rear, hit 2nd

3/1

2nd

8

3rd Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Stonific

11st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary Hanmer

Quite useful in his prime but has dropped a long way down the weights over the last year or so and did not look poised to capitalise when safely held at Market Rasen (a track he likes) on Saturday.

16/1

9/4

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 4522-P

Last run: 139 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won Fontwell juvenile hurdle (2m1f, good to soft) for Milton Harris on Boxing Day and was clear second to progressive rival in heavy-ground handicap over that C&D in March; joined burgeoning new stable for 20,000gns during the summer; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

2nd Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

13:11 Bangor-on-Dee

Polyphonic

11st 6lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Won Fontwell maiden (2m1f, good to soft) for Milton Harris last December but he has a mixed record since; wasn't beaten far when third of five at Uttoxeter two weeks ago but he's now 1-11 over hurdles and others are more convincing.

14/1

Form: 2-2P61 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdle winner for Fergal O'Brien, most recently in selling handicap at Stratford (2m2f, good) last month; bought for £8,000 afterwards; 4lb rise might be enough to leave him vulnerable in much more competitive race here.
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

Form: 2012P- D

Last run: 157 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Can sometimes race too freely but made all in Fakenham maiden hurdle (2m, good) in first-time hood in February and lost out only by a head in subsequent Doncaster handicap (2m, good); pulled up in hot Sandown race at end of last season and the hood is left off here but we may not have seen the best of him yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:45 Perth

Sergeant Wilson

11st 9lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: R Mike Smith

Left Nigel Twiston-Davies for £3,000 in May; easy to back, he was well beaten when sixth of eight on his stable debut over C&D ten days ago.

10/1

6th

4

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:48 Perth

Sergeant Wilson

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: R Mike Smith

prominent, raced in second after 2nd

10/1

5th

5

12th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:28 Ludlow

Sergeant Wilson

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Temptingly treated on the pick of his handicap form at about 2m on ground not too slow; Taunton last time was disappointing (2m3f, good) but coming back to a sharp 2m will help and could run well if his jumping holds up (can make mistakes).

7/1

Form: 267-85 D

Last run: 138 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Collected a good prize on handicap debut in February 2022 but is yet to add to that success and has become disappointing; beaten favourite off lowly Flat mark on latest start in August and needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(6)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:17 Newcastle (AW)

Socialist Agenda

10st 2lb

J: Miss Ellie Mayo

T: L J Morgan

Completed an AW double last spring but hasn't been in the same form in three runs back from a break this winter; back on a winning mark but need to see more.

16/1

9

(6)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:17 Newcastle (AW)

Socialist Agenda

10st 2lb

J: Miss Ellie Mayo

T: L J Morgan

Completed an AW double last spring but hasn't been in the same form in three runs back from a break this winter; back on a winning mark but need to see more.

16/1

8th

6

(8)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Socialist Agenda

9st 3lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: L J Morgan

Completed an AW double last spring, adding to his bumper/hurdles wins; disappointing in the latest of his two runs this winter and needs to rebound.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 226-46 CD

Last run: 73 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner (twice over C&D) who has dropped 2lb since respectable sixth in competitive Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen (2m, soft) in July; placed on the Flat since and sure to be suited by return to this track; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

29th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:31 Newton Abbot

Byzantine Empire

10st 12lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Alison Thorpe

Badly out of form over fences and on the Flat for the Flint stable this year, and was well beaten in 2m4f Warwick chase for new trainer on Tuesday; needs combination of return to hurdling and refitted cheekpieces to rekindle his enthusiasm.

16/1

9th

1

23rd Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:28 Warwick

Byzantine Empire

12st 0lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Alison Thorpe

Two-time chase winner but last success in this sphere was in 2022 and he's deteriorated considerably since; has switched yards since his last run and is well treated if new trainer can get a tune out of him.

20/1

8

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Worcester

Byzantine Empire

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: John & Rhys Flint

Two-time chase winner who won off this mark over hurdles here last July; however, he's been well beaten over fences and on the Flat on his four outings this year and needs a major turnaround.

33/1

Form: 70915- BF

Last run: 181 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Displayed sudden burst of improvement to reward good market support at Wincanton (2m5f, good to soft) in March, his fourth start for Ryan Potter, but was safely held off same mark on chasing debut a few days later and hasn't raced again since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

14:50 Wetherby

Ithaka

11st 10lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Ryan Potter

Pulled up in both starts since opening his chase account in Hereford contest; still seeking first success above Class 5; cheekpieces added.

14/1

4

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Ithaka

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

Perhaps found out by the 3m6f trip at Exeter and heavy ground wasn't ideal when best efforts have been on good to soft or good; again reservations on that score here, but he was running well prior to last time.

10/1

8

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Ithaka

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

4l winner under Freddie Mitchell at Hereford (extended 3m1f) in January on latest outing but 8lb higher today, including 3lb out of the handicap; also not proven on worse than good to soft (had two attempts on soft) and this sort of trip is something new to him.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £71.00
Straight Forecast £64.26
Tricast £499.91
Trifecta £388.90

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Sergeant Wilson

The Times:

Elham Valley

POSTDATA:

Byzantine Empire

SPOTLIGHT:

Polyphonic

Daily Mail:

Ithaka

RP RATINGS:

Feel The Pinch

Telegraph:

Sergeant Wilson

Daily Mirror:

Sergeant Wilson

The Sun:

Sergeant Wilson

D Express:

Polyphonic

The Guardian:

Elham Valley

Daily Record:

Elham Valley

WEST COUNTRY:

Byzantine Empire

The Star:

Byzantine Empire