December 15 / 19.30 Southwell (AW)

19.30

Standard

BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 6
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.10
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 710004 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Two turf wins this year, latterly off 1lb lower at Catterick in July; mixed bag since but a wind operation since his latest start could help matters; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(11)

27th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

13:45 Redcar

Camacho Star

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Course scorer but he arrives below par, only sixth of nine to Odd Socks Havana in 1m handicap at Newcastle 31 days ago; needs to take a big step forward.

12/1

11th

9

(11)

27th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

13:45 Redcar

Camacho Star

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Course scorer but he arrives below par, only sixth of nine to Odd Socks Havana in 1m handicap at Newcastle 31 days ago; needs to take a big step forward.

12/1

6th

3

(9)

26th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Camacho Star

9st 6lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Kevin Ryan

Gets away with this trip but it's easy to argue 7f suits ideally; pulled hard on heavy ground last time and is better than that but he'd been turned over as favourite three times on the spin previously and there's little room for manoeuvre off this mark.

8/1

11/8

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 70-721 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 3yo who took a major step forward when routing his rivals in a 1m handicap here last week (Tapeta debut); 4lb well in despite the 6lb penalty and he should be quick enough to cope with the drop to 7f; big chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

(1)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Tea Sea

9st 0lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Four-time Tapeta winner who resumes from eight months off on a career-high mark; gone well fresh before but is used to plying his trade in lesser company and may need some help from the handicapper.

12/1

2

(13)

31st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 2

15:22 Brighton

Tea Sea

9st 10lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Scored four times on AW last winter; opened his turf account with Brighton success (7f, good to firm) latest start, taking record here to 27221; likely player, provided he copes with drop in trip.

9/2

2

(3)

19th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 210y

Class 5

16:45 Brighton

Tea Sea

9st 13lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Four-time Tapeta winner who twice went close over C&D earlier in the summer; has had his moments at the stalls, can pull hard and will always need races to set up given his run style, but he's one to consider; blinkers return.

5/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 317406 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Back to the same mark as when beating 13 rivals at Beverley in May (7.5f); needs to leave two AW runs last month behind him but that's not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(3)

30th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Swinging Eddie

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Back to form to win at Catterick last time (7f, good to firm); just as effective on the AW (C&D winner last December); chance.

3/1

1st

9

(3)

24th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:10 Catterick

Swinging Eddie

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Grant Tuer

C&D scorer who hinted at a revival when seventh of 12 over C&D two weeks ago; he's very much one to consider off a 2lb lower mark.

10/1

Form: 414254

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Five-time AW winner who did well to finish as close as he did at Wolverhampton on Sunday given how hard he pulled early on; should continue to give a good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 0lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Hasn't troubled the judge since returning in December from a short break and finished well behind Spirit Of Bowland over C&D last time.

33/1

9th

8

(5)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Last win away from Newcastle was in 2021; slow starts have been holding him back so both classified fourths over C&D this month can arguably be upgraded; chance rests largely on the start.

20/1

4th

5

(7)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

It has been a long time since he won away from Newcastle and he has run to just a modest level in two Southwell runs this year; others appeal more for win purposes.

10/1

20/1

Form: 6-4246 CD

Last run: 290 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Conditions to suit and he's on a handy mark but whether back from 290 days off is the time to catch him is a moot point.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(6)

28th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Suil Eile

10st 13lb

J: Miss Sophie Dobson

T: Shaun Harris

slowly away, in rear, headway from 4f out

8/1

11th

3

(6)

28th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Suil Eile

10st 13lb

J: Miss Sophie Dobson

T: Shaun Harris

slowly away, in rear, headway from 4f out

8/1

7th

4

(9)

24th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

15:47 Beverley

Al Suil Eile

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Shaun Harris

Won at Southwell (1m, AW) last month and kept on for good third there (7f) on Sunday in a first-time visor (now left off); he's 8-52 on AW as opposed to 1-13 on turf but he ran fairly well on grass at Doncaster two starts ago and could have a part to play in this less competitive race.

7/1

33/1

Form: 709480

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
The odd flicker of promise but last time was underwhelming and others look much safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(3)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:20 Southwell (AW)

Brother Dave

8st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Returned from break with hard-fought C&D win in January and has held his form pretty well since, albeit his latest run was a shade disappointing; current mark is workable; no surprise if he features.

10/1

6th

9

(4)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Brother Dave

9st 4lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Kickstarted 2026 with C&D victory (third one) and has continued in good form, fading late on when third of 11 in 1m classified event here last time; ought to be thereabouts again.

10/1

3rd

2

(6)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Brother Dave

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Running well here this year and he landed a classified in January; subsequently placed in two course handicaps (also 7f); didn't beat a rival in previous three starts at this sort of trip but still commands respect in current mood back in a classified.

5/1

16/1

Form: 212180 CD

Last run: 224 days

W: 9st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
In good form here and at Newcastle in January; only 2lb higher than for his latest win but likely best watched returning from 224 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

19

(13)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Thirsk

Atrafan

9st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Alan Brown

towards rear

25/1

17th

19

(13)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Thirsk

Atrafan

9st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Alan Brown

towards rear

25/1

10th

10

(2)

31st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Atrafan

9st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Alan Brown

Multiple AW winner but looks far from solid on 2024 form and may be somewhat on the wane aged ten; held by Written Broadcast on C&D running last time.

33/1

Form: 748-00 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Big prices and tailed off in two runs for this yard this autumn; plenty to prove for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(10)

15th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Rains Of Castamere

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: R Mike Smith

led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong

66/1

10th

2

(3)

10th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

17:50 Newcastle (AW)

Rains Of Castamere

9st 9lb

J: Archie Young

T: R Mike Smith

Multiple Flat wins; 2-3 on AW, albeit four winters ago; unknown quantity these days, not showing much on the Flat and over hurdles for previous trainer in 2022 and finished remote back from absence on stable debut at Ayr last month; tongue-tie discarded.

33/1

13th

3

(14)

12th Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Rains Of Castamere

9st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: R Mike Smith

Four-time Flat winner but the latest was in June 2021 and he struggled to get competitive off a lowly hurdle mark last year; makes his stable debut after an absence and could be best watched.

33/1

Form: 006000 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Tumbled down the weights but with good reason; return to AW didn't help matters last month and too much to prove for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(6)

15th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Eagle Creek

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Tumbled down the weights but with good reason; return to AW didn't help matters last month and too much to prove for now.

33/1

3

(7)

14th Nov 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Eagle Creek

9st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Tumbled down the weights but with good reason; this more suitable than the heavy ground he tackled a fortnight ago but would only be of interest if backed (yet to start at shorter than 22-1 for current yard).

33/1

Form: -00112 BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Frustrating for Ann Duffield but he's clicked for his new stable, winning twice over 6f at Newcastle before coming up just short in his hat-trick bid last month; remains to be seen if he will be as effective over this extra furlong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(2)

4th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Sydney Bay

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Patchy form despite a slipping mark since winning his first two starts for this yard over C&D in October 2023; others are more persuasive.

12/1

9th

11

(2)

4th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Sydney Bay

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Patchy form despite a slipping mark since winning his first two starts for this yard over C&D in October 2023; others are more persuasive.

12/1

6th

8

(9)

2nd Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:32 Newcastle (AW)

Sydney Bay

8st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Geoffrey Harker

Won two in a row over C&D in October 2023 and last success was off 5lb higher; mixed record since then and was down the field here last time but he returns after a break and has claims if he can rediscover his spark.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 619168 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Capitalised on his drop in the weights when winning over 1m at Newcastle in September and even more dominant over 7f at that track the following month; less good twice since but he's still respected at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(7)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Explorers Way

9st 9lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Andrew Kinirons

Four wins at Newcastle when trained in Britain and won over this trip at Down Royal last summer; two low-key runs on first two runs for this yard but showed more when sixth of 19 at Navan last time; on a good mark if he can build on that.

7/1

7

(11)

6th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 10y

17:00 Navan

Explorers Way

9st 12lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Andrew Kinirons

Four wins at Newcastle when trained by Brian Ellison; useful form for Pat Martin last year including C&D second following a Down Royal win; two moderate runs in 2025

16/1

7/1

Form: 0322

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Placed in 6f novice events on her last three starts, appearing to take a step forward when second to a rival rated 23lb higher at Newcastle last month; hit with a 4lb rise for that but not discounted on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(8)

17th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Ripon

Willow Baby

9st 10lb

J: J F Egan

T: Jason Ward

dwelt start, soon prominent, led after 1f, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

100/1

6th

2

(8)

17th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Ripon

Willow Baby

9st 10lb

J: J F Egan

T: Jason Ward

dwelt start, soon prominent, led after 1f, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

100/1

12th

12

(9)

22nd Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Willow Baby

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jason Ward

0-15; low-key return from 174 days off here last month (5f); best form has come over shorter and others appeal more.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.20
Straight Forecast £13.29
Tricast £104.45
Trifecta £240.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tea Sea

Telegraph:

Willow Baby

Daily Mirror:

Sydney Bay

Daily Record:

Willow Baby

RP RATINGS:

Tea Sea

POSTDATA:

Tea Sea

The Times:

Tea Sea

The Guardian:

Tea Sea

Daily Mail:

Tea Sea

D Express:

Tea Sea

The Sun:

Tea Sea

The Star:

Tea Sea