December 29 / 18.00 Southwell (AW)

18.00

Standard

Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £13189.68
  • 1m 4f 14y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 662643 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Narrow winner of a 1m4f handicap at Ascot in July and he went desperately close at Doncaster in September off 1lb higher; solid efforts in defeat at Wolverhampton the last twice and closely matched with stablemate Zealandia on the former occasion.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Oneforthegutter

8st 12lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ian Williams

Scored at the Newmarket July meeting (1m6f) last year but didn't do a lot afterwards; he's back 1lb below that last winning mark, so will pop up in front again at some stage, but he was well held on last year's reappearance at this fixture.

20/1

4

(12)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Oneforthegutter

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ian Williams

Won a good pot at the Newmarket July meeting (1m6f, good to firm) but has struggled in the Ebor and Old Borough Cup since.

25/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 086791 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won two 1m4f Tapeta handicaps for Ed Dunlop; sold 6,000gns in October and ran right up to his best when easily winning a C&D Class 5 17 days ago; back up 6lb and he's respected despite the stronger opposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(10)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

14:53 Chester

Heathen

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Jennie Candlish

5-19 on AW and 0-9 on turf; twice close up over 1m4f on turf last year, including off this mark at Chester, but is also a dual 1m6f winner on AW and has at least one piece of 2m form in that sphere; a case can be made if he's tuned up sufficiently after 259 days off; the market may guide.

14/1

6

(4)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Heathen

11st 3lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Jennie Candlish

Below best at York in June and since left David O'Meara for 20,000gns; an assured stayer who is capable off this mark and could have a part to play.

8/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: -85022 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Veteran with just one British win to his name and that back in August 2021; he does retain a good deal of ability, however, and has finished second in 1m4f AW handicaps on his last two starts; a bit more will be needed to come out on top today though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(5)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Graphite

9st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: T J Kent

Veteran whose last win was in August 2021; second off a career-low mark at Wolverhampton (1m6f, AW; second run since wind surgery) on penultimate start but he's lightly raced on turf these days and has not made a significant impact in this sphere for a long time.

16/1

11th

2

(8)

12th Sep 2024

Good

1m 3f 197y

Class 3

17:50 Doncaster

Graphite

9st 10lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: T J Kent

dwelt start

20/1

2nd

5

(8)

1st Aug 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 3

20:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Graphite

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: T J Kent

Veteran who is on a three-year losing spell, has something to find on 2024 efforts and has stamina to prove back up in distance; enough reasons to oppose him.

16/1

Form: -86003

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
The handicapper was in command on the Flat this summer and although his latest Chelmsford third wasn't too bad, he'll need a fair bit more to defy the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(4)

29th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Postmark

8st 12lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Anthony Charlton

led, headed and raced in second after 2f

14/1

3rd

3

(2)

14th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Postmark

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Anthony Charlton

The handicapper was in command on the Flat this summer and although his latest hurdle second (October) was respectable, he will need to raise his game to win here.

14/1

2nd

4

17th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:00 Huntingdon

Postmark

11st 9lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Milton Harris

in touch with leaders, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, no match for winner

15/2

6/1

Form: 842153 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Two wins since joining Ian Williams from France and he took another step forward when a close third of ten at Wolverhampton five weeks ago (1m6f); likely more will be needed to come out on top today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Zealandia

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

16lb below his last winning mark, but losing run now up to 15; might get more of a pace to run at than when fifth of nine over C&D last time, but others have more to recommend them; stable also runs Simiyann.

11/4

5th

9

(9)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 3

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Zealandia

8st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Handicapper has been relenting and he showed a lot more with third of 14 in a Racing League handicap at Newcastle (about 2m, Tapeta; 25-1) one week ago; a repeat of that puts him bang there; 2lb well in.

11/2

7

(3)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zealandia

9st 6lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ian Williams

Has got himself well handicapped for good reason and his recent thirds were none too threatening; doubts remain; another tweak on the headgear front.

20/1

OUR TIP

25/1

Form: 568-00

Last run: 174 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Winner of 1m2f Group 3 in June 2022 when trained by Aidan O'Brien; two heavy defeats in handicaps for this yard in midsummer, gelded after the second of them; down in the weights but comes here with something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(8)

6th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

20:05 Bath

Aikhal

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Former Group 3 winner who's been on the slide for a while now; suggested he was about to exploit a much reduced mark when fourth at Wolverhampton (9.4f) last month and he attracted good support when keeping on for third at Brighton (1m2f, good to soft) ten days ago; overall profile far from persuasive but he still warrants consideration.

3/1

3rd

6

(1)

27th May 2025

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:40 Brighton

Aikhal

9st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Suggested he might be able to exploit his much reduced mark soon when fourth at Wolverhampton (9.4f) a fortnight ago but his run at Kempton (1m4f) on Wednesday was a backward step and he remains without a win since his Irish Group 3 success in June 2022.

13/2

3rd

6

(1)

27th May 2025

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:40 Brighton

Aikhal

9st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Suggested he might be able to exploit his much reduced mark soon when fourth at Wolverhampton (9.4f) a fortnight ago but his run at Kempton (1m4f) on Wednesday was a backward step and he remains without a win since his Irish Group 3 success in June 2022.

13/2

Form: 323794

Last run: 84 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Never quite fulfilled early promise for William Haggas but he ran some solid races in defeat in 2023; changed hands for 52,000gns in October; new yard might find the key to him but he goes without headgear today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(9)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Newbury

Educator

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Henrietta C Knight

Won twice over about 1m4f (AW/good to firm) last spring and he's thrown in judged on that form; twice close up on AW in January and a respectable third at Bath (2m) in April, before Ascot 2m race last week proved too tough; there's a rethink on trip today and cheekpieces (last used in June 2024) return.

20/1

7th

10

(6)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Educator

9st 5lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Henrietta C Knight

Three wins on turf (good/good to firm) at up to 11.5f; also went fairly close at this trip on AW in January; respectable third at Bath (2m1f, good to firm; Lusaka second) on return from two-month break last time; might build on that.

8/1

3rd

2

(3)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 24y

Class 5

16:15 Bath

Educator

9st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Henrietta C Knight

Triple turf winner who finished well to go close off this mark at Kempton (2m, AW) in January; flopped with a heavy defeat at Newcastle the following month but that was a Class 3 and has claims if he can bounce back after a short break; has form on good to firm and good to soft.

6/1

7/1

Form: 315416 D

Last run: 107 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Gained seventh win, five on AW, when strong at the finish over 1m6f at Wolverhampton in September; fair run over 2m here six days later; needs another step forward to defy this mark but that's not out of the question and he's run well after similar breaks in the past; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Nottingham

Diamond Bay

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Tom Ward

On a losing run and he was tried in blinkers when a below-par seventh of ten in 1m6f handicap at Goodwood 30 days ago; others appeal more.

8/1

7th

5

(8)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Goodwood

Diamond Bay

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tom Ward

Multiple winner who stays well but has failed to beat a rival in his last two races, with and without a visor; now tries blinkers.

8/1

6th

3

(6)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

15:18 Wolverhampton (AW)

Diamond Bay

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Tom Ward

Two wins here including over this trip, but he ran very poorly on his return from four months off at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) a fortnight ago, especially as he proven fresh; visor returns.

8/1

9th
10 (5)
Furzig

20/1

Form: 335074 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Still seeking his first win of the year but he's edging down the weights; hasn't looked in the sort of form required to take advantage though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(9)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

14:42 Catterick

Furzig

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

slowly away, in rear

20/1

7th

3

(5)

2nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

17:05 Catterick

Furzig

10st 0lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: Richard Fahey

His last four wins have been over C&D, albeit spread over nearly three years; latest came by a nose in July and he was runner-up at Haydock on penultimate outing, before losing his chance at the start at Chester latest; well capable of being on the premises, including on soft.

11/1

Form: -65610 D

Last run: 174 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Two Flat wins for Andrew Balding; let down by his jumping in two hurdle runs this winter; the only 3yo in the line-up and his Salisbury win in June offers a bit of hope but there are risks attached.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

16:35 Stratford

Galactic Jack

11st 1lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful on the Flat in his prime; 0-8 over hurdles but posted best of three runs for new stable (since a long absence) when third at Taunton (2m, good; behind Mi Sueno) last month and is another 1lb lower here; respected.

4/1

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

18:30 Taunton

Galactic Jack

11st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

A useful middle-distance Flat performer, but still a maiden over hurdles after seven attempts and has yet to rediscover his form in two starts since returning from a long absence this season; likely best watched for now.

12/1

4th

7

6th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

16:55 Plumpton

Galactic Jack

10st 8lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful on the Flat, won 1m4f Salisbury handicap in 2023 off a mark of 88; more off days than on in the meantime but soft ground no help on recent yard debut after nearly two years off; worth a market check off a very low mark now back on more suitable ground; cheekpieces refitted.

9/1

Non-runners

Mond

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.90
Straight Forecast £30.47
Tricast £118.50
Trifecta £156.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Heathen

SPOTLIGHT:

Diamond Bay

The Star:

Aikhal

The Sun:

Educator

Daily Mirror:

Zealandia

Telegraph:

Graphite

POSTDATA:

Heathen

The Times:

Heathen

The Guardian:

Heathen

Daily Mail:

Heathen

D Express:

Heathen

Daily Record:

Heathen

TOPSPEED:

Diamond Bay

LAMBOURN:

Diamond Bay