December 22 / 16.50 Southwell (AW)

16.50

Standard

Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3873.16
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.40

Form: -25639 D

Last run: 104 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Second of eight at Newmarket on his seasonal debut in May off a 6lb higher mark; not matched that since and absent since a heavy defeat at Haydock in September (1m perhaps not optimal).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(8)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 5

16:20 Chester

Royal Musketeer

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Steph Hollinshead

No turf win since May 2022; has posted some decent efforts at Newmarket (6f, both tracks) this season, none better than when runner-up in June; cheekpieces are yet to elicit improvement but this appears a better option than Southwell (tenth of 14) last time; easing mark.

16/1

10th

7

(13)

25th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

17:08 Southwell (AW)

Royal Musketeer

9st 6lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Steph Hollinshead

He is on a competitive mark and has a course win on his record (7f); not beaten far at Newmarket this month when tried in cheekpieces for the first time; wide draw but he's not ruled out.

5/1

2

(9)

1st Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Newmarket (July)

Royal Musketeer

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Steph Hollinshead

Twice placed on the two courses here before his effort petered out tamely at Haydock two weeks ago; returning here has to rate a positive, as might the addition of cheekpieces.

8/1

2nd
2 (12)
Novak

16/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: 707339 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Disappointed at Wolverhampton last time but he'd finished third in his two runs beforehand, both over this trip on Tapeta; type to bounce back quickly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(6)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:12 Ayr

Novak

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Beaten 13 times since last win at Newcastle (7f, AW) last September but close fifth of seven at Ayr (1m, good to firm) recently and he may appreciate the return to 7f; his mark continues to fall and he might not be far away.

15/2

5th

6

(6)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Novak

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Has done his winning over 6f/7f, the last five times on AW (hasn't scored on turf since 2023); kept mostly to Newcastle since last September; not the percentage call in this scenario.

12/1

3rd
4 (3)
Bowood

7/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 692532 BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Placed in three of his four runs in AW handicaps, most recently keeping on for second at Newcastle on Saturday; still has time to do better and he's a solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(9)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bowood

9st 2lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Scored comfortably twice over C&D in the autumn and ran creditably, amid traffic issues, returned to this scenario last time (effort can be marked up); may yet show that he can defy this sort of mark.

14/1

1st

2

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Bowood

9st 8lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Has run well to make the frame over 1m at Southwell (Tapeta) and Kempton (Polytrack) the last twice, but a record of 0-16 on the AW and a losing run of 17 suggests others are more likely.

100/30

Form: 555004 CD

Last run: 94 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
C&D winner last December; the handicapper has been in command this season; gelded since last seen; others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(5)

9th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mr Squires

8st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Made all to win a 7f handicap here in June; not beaten a rival in three subsequent runs; has the pace to be effective at this trip and he's favoured by these weights; not ruled out.

5/1

12th

1

(9)

18th Aug 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

14:20 Southwell (AW)

Mr Squires

10st 4lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Dual winner from the front this season, including over C&D in April off 12lb lower, who hasn't been able to dominate the past twice and has been eased off each time; needs to bounce back and also show this mark within range.

12/1

13th

5

(8)

2nd Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:45 Southwell (AW)

Mr Squires

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Successful under positive rides over C&D in April and at Wolverhampton (7f, Tapeta) in June; taken on in front when last of nine at Chester (7.6f, good) ten days later; not many confirmed front-runners among this opposition, so he could be dangerous if allowed his own way.

8/1

10/1

Form: 970771 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Off the mark for the year when getting up late over this trip at Chelmsford two weeks ago; only 2lb higher but this is a stronger race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(9)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Reputation

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

No sign at all of age wearying him during the winter, having won over C&D in November, and he returned from a break as fresh as paint with a 7f win at Southwell last month; back up 4lb; one of a few to consider.

8/1

1st

4

(11)

7th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Reputation

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

13yo whose most recent success came at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in November and he ran well when runner-up there when last seen 157 days ago; contender if ready to go on his return.

9/2

8/1

Form: 830252

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Best effort for this yard when a head second of 12 over 1m at Newcastle two weeks ago; dangerous if building on it but his overall profile suggests that's not assured.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(7)

28th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 5

15:55 Doncaster

Khathak

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard Fahey

0-20 since winning on his debut in 2021 and needs to prove he can get the job done, but he's gone close at Ripon (1m, good) and Chester (7.5f, good) this month and is also effective on fast ground; could be bang there.

9/2

2nd

9

(7)

14th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

16:00 Chester

Khathak

8st 11lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Richard Fahey

in touch with leaders

9/2

3rd

9

(7)

5th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Ripon

Khathak

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

In good form last month, finishing second at Leicester (demoted to fourth due to interference) and close fifth at Ayr; might not be far away but he's 0-20 since winning on debut in 2021; has to prove he can get the job done.

8/1

6/1

Form: 435564 C BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Has won at 7f but this season's two wins have been over 1m2f; ran well in a steadily-run affair at Wolverhampton 18 days ago (extended 1m1f) and he's primed to strike; whether this will be a sufficient test remains to be seen though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(8)

23rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Windsor

Masqool

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Very respectable 12-76 record for one who plies his trade in this sort of grade; vast majority of those wins came on AW but he can do it on turf and latest third over C&D (good to firm), while beaten a fair way, wasn't a bad effort; has dropped back down to his career-low mark.

12/1

3rd

9

(8)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:18 Windsor

Masqool

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tony Carroll

11-time AW scorer but sole turf win was three years ago; some creditable efforts on Polytrack for new yard this year but he's been out of sorts at Wolverhampton in last two runs; has some questions to answer and he looks opposable back on turf.

20/1

8th

5

(1)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Masqool

9st 7lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

12-74; sits below last winning mark and filled the runner-up berth at Lingfield (1m2f) on penultimate start; less productive in a change of headgear (visor) over 8.5f here latest; trainer also saddles Three on Thursday.

14/1

11/4

Form: 744161 D

Last run: 86 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Struggled in Hong Kong but he's returned to his original stable off a lowly mark and was in rude health when last seen in September, scooting clear in a 7f handicap at Kempton that represents strong form; hit with a 9lb rise but it might not be enough to stop him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Embarked

8st 9lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Scott Dixon

Front-runner who won over C&D in 2024; beaten around 6l when third here in January but he's been well held in two starts since; others preferred.

40/1

7th

13

(8)

7th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Embarked

8st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Front-runner and C&D winner, but patchy form since his latest success last summer and was well held in a 0-50 classified event here four week ago; others preferred.

33/1

8th

4

(11)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Embarked

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Front-runner; C&D winner; he hasn't been at his best since November and he may find a few of these seeing out their race more strongly.

16/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 606534

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
BHA-rated 90 at the start of the year but it has been a struggle in 2023; more promise off his lowly mark the last twice but stamina for 7f has to be taken on trust.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(9)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 1lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Confirmed trailblazer who has won 13 races in his career (six on AW), but has finished out of the frame in all six starts over C&D; blinkers go on for the first time on his 86th start; others preferred.

11/1

8

(5)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

One of the faster sprinters in training and he belatedly got off the mark for the year with a front-running win at Wolverhampton 17 days ago; 6lb rise against stronger opposition could find him out.

8/1

1st

1

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

Trailblazing sprinter who got no peace up front when beaten favourite in a Racing League handicap last time; ran a stormer the time before at Haydock and should give it a good shot from stall 3; has form here.

2/1

10th
7 (1)
Giogiobbo

33/1

Form: 14-800 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 5lb

10 yo Horse

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Off for 451 days prior to last month's Newcastle return; down the field on that occasion, and in two sprint runs here since, and he comes here with too much to prove; will be 4lb lower from the weekend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(10)

19th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Giogiobbo

9st 4lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Scott Dixon

Veteran who is a 16-time winner; however, has very unconvincing form since returning from lengthy layoff and doesn't look anything like the force of old; opposed.

33/1

8th

6

(3)

5th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Giogiobbo

9st 5lb

J: Elisha Whittington

T: Scott Dixon

Yet to get going after a 15-month absence but his mark is in freefall and he hasn't looked a completely spent force; still looks vulnerable today though.

33/1

10th

7

(1)

22nd Dec 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell (AW)

Giogiobbo

9st 5lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Scott Dixon

Off for 451 days prior to last month's Newcastle return; down the field on that occasion, and in two sprint runs here since, and he comes here with too much to prove; will be 4lb lower from the weekend.

33/1

16/1

Form: 543400 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Conditions to suit and he's 4lb lower than for his Newcastle win in March; should be sharper for his recent return to action; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(2)

10th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Anif

8st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

Veteran five-time course winner who's still capable of being competitive, as he showed when second to Urban Dandy in a classified here (1m) a month ago; the return to handicaps asks for a bit more.

8/1

4th

7

(2)

10th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Anif

8st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

in rear, headway inside final furlong, not reach leaders

8/1

2nd

2

(6)

10th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Anif

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

held up in rear, switched right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, pressed winner final 110yds, no extra towards finish

12/1

Form: 466576

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
His three wins for Michael Bell came over 1m2f; attracted support dropped to 7f on his stable debut here two weeks ago but he was tapped for speed in the final furlong; perhaps closer to the strong pace than ideal on that occasion but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

22nd Jun 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:35 Newmarket (July)

At Liberty

9st 11lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Michael Appleby

prominent, led over 2f out

6/1

4th

3

(13)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Carlisle

At Liberty

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Appleby

Triple turf winner (1m2f) on fast and slow ground; got back on the scoresheet at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) in March but he's not easy to predict and has been well held in last three runs; still 4lb higher than for his last win and he comes with risks attached back at this trip.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £114.60
Straight Forecast £105.97
Tricast £369.94
Trifecta £525.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Embarked

POSTDATA:

Khathak

The Guardian:

Bowood

D Express:

Night On Earth

The Times:

Masqool

Daily Mail:

Bowood

THE NORTH:

Khathak

The Star:

Khathak

RP RATINGS:

Embarked

Telegraph:

Embarked

The Sun:

Embarked

Daily Record:

Embarked

Daily Mirror:

Night On Earth