December 12 / 19.30 Southwell (AW)

19.30

Standard

BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap

  • Prize money: £8208
  • 0m 4f 214y
  • Class 3
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP
1st
2 (4)
Bergerac

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.20
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 800021 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Signalled his turn was near when mugged close home at Newcastle in November (Lord Riddiford third) and duly opened his AW account there the following week (made virtually all); fair chance up 5lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(9)

27th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Bergerac

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

A fair 5f winner in 2025 but yet to fire this season, tenth of 12 in 6f Hamilton handicap 16 days ago; needs to take a big step forward.

16/1

10th

11

(8)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Bergerac

9st 1lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Kevin Ryan

Course winner last June off a 10lb higher mark than today's, but he's been struggling in recent starts and hasn't won over 6f since August 2022; best watched at present.

33/1

10th

9

(7)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Thirsk

Bergerac

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Fine servant down the years but he hasn't won over 6f since August 2022; on a good mark and can pop up soon but would like to see more from him before getting involved.

20/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 314452 CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
In good form on AW this time last year (won twice, including easily over C&D) and on turf for most of 2023 (also won twice); goes well fresh and is considered; no tongue-tie on this occasion.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(7)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 4

14:35 Pontefract

Hiya Maite

9st 10lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

Absent since running respectably when favourite for AW contest in January; on a two-year losing spell but is attractively treated off his lower mark back on turf; further market support should be noted.

9/1

7

(8)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 3

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Hiya Maite

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roy Bowring

On a losing run and he has yet to win over this trip; sent off favourite for the corresponding race 12 months ago but faded into tenth; 6lb lower this time around and he has finished second in two of his last four starts; vulnerable to stronger stayers.

10/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: -92063 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
15 AW starts but this will be his first on Tapeta; seems equally effective over 5f or 6f; could do with breaking better but doesn't have much to find with Blind Beggar on Chelmsford running 33 days ago, his second start off a 189-day break; Harry Davies got a very good tune out of him for former yard last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

1st Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Crimson Sand

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Dan Horsford

Six AW wins on his record, three of them at this track; solid third at Lingfield on Good Friday, on second run for this stable, and he's undergone wind surgery since; promising apprentice takes off 5lb and he's one to consider.

12/1

1

(9)

1st Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Crimson Sand

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Dan Horsford

Six AW wins on his record, three of them at this track; solid third at Lingfield on Good Friday, on second run for this stable, and he's undergone wind surgery since; promising apprentice takes off 5lb and he's one to consider.

12/1

3rd

8

(5)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Crimson Sand

9st 5lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Dan Horsford

Ran creditably on his stable debut at Southwell 12 days ago and returning to 6f won't be a problem; not sure he's ahead of his mark though.

14/1

4th
10 (1)
Khabib

8/1

Form: 645241 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Form figures over C&D read 12231 and his latest win came over a well-backed reviver 18 days ago; front pair were nicely clear and 4lb rise is fine but stall 1 may not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(8)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Khabib

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Ray Craggs

Operated at a much higher grade in his prime; absent 615 days prior to returning to action in May and he has finished well beaten in three runs in 2026; tumbling down the weights but need to see more before getting involved.

33/1

9th

5

(7)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Thirsk

Khabib

9st 10lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Ray Craggs

Well handicapped on old form, but has shown little in two starts since returning from a long absence in May; just 1-36 on turf and hard to fancy.

20/1

8th

10

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:42 Thirsk

Khabib

9st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Ray Craggs

Fair and consistent for Ray Craggs in 2024; off 20 months before coming in last of nine, on sole outing for David Thompson, over 6f here last month; has rejoined his former yard with lots to find.

25/1

Form: 016732 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won the same Goodwood handicap in August for third year in a row; gave it very good shot back on AW the last twice, with favourite stealing a march latest; can go well from middle draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(2)

30th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Lord Riddiford

8st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John & Sean Quinn

Has a stunning record at this meeting, winning four of his five attempts, including this race for the last three years (soft, good and good to soft); well held of late but he ran no worse last time out than he had in his prep race before the 2023 win and he's weighted to have a big chance despite being 3lb wrong; Hollie Doyle rode for his 2021 win; drying ground could be the sticking point, however.

5/1

6th

4

(5)

20th Jun 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Chelmsford (AW)

Lord Riddiford

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

bumped start, midfield, switched right and some headway 2f out, weakened from 1f out

10/1

12th

10

(3)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Epsom

Lord Riddiford

8st 2lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: John & Sean Quinn

Unplaced in this race in 2021 and 2023 and short of his best when last seen on AW in February; his last three wins have come in the same 5f handicap at Glorious Goodwood and that race looks a better fit than today's.

20/1

Form: 108162 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Finished last on sole visit here (stable debut in January, off a break following wind surgery) but third win of the year came over 5f on Tapeta at Newcastle last month; good second from the front at Wolverhampton last time; squeak.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(2)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:28 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Johnson

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

led narrowly on far side of group, headed halfway, weakened inside final furlong

9/2

7th

2

(2)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:28 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Johnson

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

The veteran of the field but he arrives in top form, finding only the revitalised Mondammej too strong over C&D three weeks ago; not dismissed lightly off an unchanged mark.

9/2

2nd

7

(7)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Johnson

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Paul Midgley

led but pestered, headed inside final furlong, soon no extra

7/1

7th
12 (9)
Castan

10/1

Form: 327812 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
First win of the year came at Newcastle in October and, like winner Strong Johnson, he was always in the firing line when runner-up there five weeks ago (Khabib fourth); should go well if taking to this place.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(10)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Castan

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

Multiple C&D winner; ran his best race for some time when third of ten at Beverley last week; major player back on AW.

9/2

3rd

3

(6)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Castan

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

5f AW win in April; hasn't reproduced that in four subsequent turf outings but he's back on that last successful mark and has run well here before.

12/1

6th

5

(7)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Thirsk

Castan

9st 10lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Bryan Smart

5f AW win in April; ran well at Ripon (5f, good) later that month but he has struggled twice since; has a C&D win on his record but others bring more pressing claims.

33/1

Form: 375847 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Doesn't leap off the page on recent form and 5f at this track might not be ideal but shrewd connections picked him up for 8,000gns in October and the booking of Oisin Murphy is a plus; tongue-tie remains; hood removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(3)

20th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 60y

Class 4

16:06 Brighton

Conquistador

8st 7lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Stuart Williams

dwelt start, towards rear, pushed along halfway, raced wide on turn over 2f out, keeping on but still plenty to do inside final furlong, ran on well to lead towards finish

4/1

Form: 333161 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
4-11 for in-form Mick Appleby and his Chelmsford win 33 days ago, with Crimson Sand in behind, was just about a career best; up just 2lb and could easily make it 2-2 here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(12)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:03 Newcastle (AW)

Blind Beggar

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Jessica Macey

Tumbling down the weights and one to be interested in when the stable emerges from the doldrums.

25/1

6th

3

(1)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Ripon

Blind Beggar

10st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Jessica Macey

Well handicapped on his Sandown win (5f, good) last July but has mixed record since and he's been well held in three runs this year; now drops back in grade but he needs to get back on track.

20/1

3

(7)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Blind Beggar

9st 7lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jessica Macey

Has won just once since April 2024, at Sandown (5f, good; from 6lb higher) last July; joined this trainer soon after for 15,000gns, and runner-up on stable debut; nowhere near his best in three starts this year, including when twelfth of 20 at York (6f; 50-1) latest.

25/1

10th
4 (11)
Above

16/1

Form: 358105 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Rather in and out for Stuart Williams and could be for this yard too given he followed a win with a disappointment; then probably sat closer to the pace than ideal over 6f latest; first run here; cheekpieces, worn on their own before, return to accompany usual tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(4)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

Above

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Robert Cowell

Has had more success on AW and his last turf win was in 2023; several bits of 2024 and 2025 turf form give him a good shout off this career-low mark but his more recent efforts are less encouraging.

7/1

3

(4)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

Above

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Robert Cowell

Has had more success on AW and his last turf win was in 2023; several bits of 2024 and 2025 turf form give him a good shout off this career-low mark but his more recent efforts are less encouraging.

7/1

5

(1)

9th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Above

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Robert Cowell

Beat Fierce by a neck when winning over C&D in March and he arrives here 7lb better off with his old rival; second run back from a summer break was better than the first and he should make a bold bid.

5/1

10/1

Form: 122113 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Started the year in 0-50 classified company but has improved in leaps and bounds, winning four times from 5f-6f; put up 9lb after his most recent win but gave it a very good shot last time; regular rider Lewis Edmunds is on Hiya Maite.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(11)

27th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Jenever

9st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: Jessica Macey

Yet to score this season but largely running well, posting a solid fourth of eight in 6f Carlisle handicap 16 days ago; this C&D winner can't be ruled out.

10/1

4th

1

(2)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Carlisle

Jenever

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jessica Macey

Yet to win this season but has dropped to a good mark and was close third in refitted visor at Nottingham (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago; blinkers are the headgear of choice today; might be the answer.

11/2

3rd

4

(1)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Jenever

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

Like many from the yard he has had a quiet year but he has dropped down the weights and is now 6lb lower than for his C&D win last October; quite possible the winners will start flowing for Jessica Macey now and he's of some interest.

8/1

33/1

Form: 970-00 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 8st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Just 1-26 in Britain and no sign he's about to capitalise on plummeting mark of late, back from nearly a year off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(6)

14th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

17:05 Bath

Zargun

8st 10lb

J: Mikkel Mortensen

T: Scott Dixon

Ended a losing run with a front-running 5f win at Doncaster in March (soft); in and out since and there are other pace influences in this field.

16/1

7th

9

(5)

26th Aug 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

16:30 Southwell (AW)

Zargun

8st 12lb

J: Mikkel Mortensen

T: Scott Dixon

Ended a losing run with a front-running 5f win at Doncaster in March (soft); not beaten far at Catterick when last seen in May but others may have his measure today.

20/1

Form: -57430 CD

Last run: 248 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Joined Paul Midgley around two years ago and won first three starts for him before form cooled; well beaten from tricky draw last time and probably best watched starting out for Craig Lidster off 248-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(6)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:42 Carlisle

The Bell Conductor

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Veteran; goes well on soft ground and ran a fine race when second to Trilby (2lb worse off for 0.5l) at Haydock last time (5f, soft; tongue-tie tried); tongue-tie retained and sound each-way chance.

6/1

2nd

4

(2)

21st May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:13 Haydock

The Bell Conductor

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

His mark continues to fall but for good reason and this 9yo arrives with plenty to prove; wears a first-time tongue-tie; visor is removed.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.20
Straight Forecast £36.66
Tricast £339.79
Trifecta £370.90

Selections

The Times:

Khabib

SPOTLIGHT:

Blind Beggar

RP RATINGS:

Bergerac

TOPSPEED:

Castan

Daily Mail:

Hiya Maite

D Express:

Crimson Sand

The Star:

Castan

The Guardian:

Khabib

The Sun:

Khabib

POSTDATA:

Blind Beggar

Daily Mirror:

Blind Beggar

Telegraph:

Bergerac

Daily Record:

Bergerac