April 23 / 13.45 Southwell

13.45

Good To Soft

Race By Race Southwell Specials @planetsportbet Handicap Chase (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4700.09
  • 2m 4f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Race By Race Southwell Specials @planetsportbet Handicap Chase (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 35-322 C

Last run: 235 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Has won fresh in the past and he went close over C&D last summer; visor worn on last three starts replaced by cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Duke Of Luckley

11st 6lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Four of his six wins have been at this track, three of which over 2m; has lost his way, however, since the last of those in May last year off 7lb higher; well handicapped if he can return to form after absence of 223 days.

16/1

3

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

13:30 Worcester

Duke Of Luckley

11st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Completed a hat-trick in May but now has to bounce back from four heavy defeats and there are improvers lurking here.

20/1

3

16th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

15:10 Uttoxeter

Duke Of Luckley

12st 1lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Completed hat-trick when making all to beat Harel Du Marais at Southwell (2m, good) in May, after a break, but has suffered three heavy defeats since; swaps visor for refitted cheekpieces; rain a likely negative.

20/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 524-22

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Expensive to follow for Dan Skelton, beaten at 3-1 or shorter in four runs for that yard; ran right up to his best when second over 2m here on last month's stable debut (winner won again since); Brian Hughes retains the ride and the step up in trip should be fine; more appealing than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:05 Southwell

Great Samourai

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Twice runner-up here (2m/2m4f) in the spring before off the mark over fences at Huntingdon (2m, good) in May (placed horses both won two starts later); not seen since disappointing at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) the following month, but still a player on his earlier form.

9/1

5th

2

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:05 Southwell

Great Samourai

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Twice runner-up here (2m/2m4f) in the spring before off the mark over fences at Huntingdon (2m, good) in May (placed horses both won two starts later); not seen since disappointing at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) the following month, but still a player on his earlier form.

9/1

6th

4

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 4

19:35 Market Rasen

Great Samourai

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

in touch with leaders

2/1

Form: 6/84P9

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Poor form for current stable, including on his handicap and chase debut at Huntingdon six weeks ago; hopes pinned on the better ground sparking something extra; refused to race in a point; hood left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:55 Market Rasen

Top Of The Bay

11st 11lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Generally solid for this yard, winning his latest two races on officially good ground, at 2m5f and 2m3f, just prevailing over a well-treated one here latterly; up in trip but the first win was on Carlisle's stiff track so he could stay this far; considered.

3/1

3

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

20:10 Market Rasen

Top Of The Bay

11st 11lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Gentle progression this spring culminated in April's Carlisle win (2m5f, good), and possible excuses both starts since (boiled over; 2m1f too sharp); no RPR better than 91 when there's been give in the ground.

8/1

6

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:10 Cartmel

Top Of The Bay

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Came good for Sam England at third attempt, readily winning Carlisle chase (2m5f, good) by over 8l last month, and reportedly boiled over in the preliminaries before this month's poor run at Hexham; can be dangerous if back on song for this return to hurdling.

7/2

Form: 1-311P CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won four times in the first half of 2023, including C&D (only finisher); pulled up on his stable debut last month after a ten-month absence; may fare better today but not entirely convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

19:09 Plumpton

Begin The Luck

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Daisy Hitchins

Largely reliable veteran and a three-time winner since December, latterly over C&D in April; touched off at Fontwell 20 days ago, with I Shut That d'Or about 5l back in third; nudged up 1lb but likely to make his presence felt again.

2/1

2nd

2

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Begin The Luck

11st 13lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Veteran who has won three times over fences since December including at Plumpton (2m4f, good) 17 days ago; that was in a small field and his main rival made a bad mistake at the last but he still looks feasibly treated and is versatile ground-wise; respected.

5/1

1st

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

14:17 Plumpton

Begin The Luck

11st 7lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Reliable sort who scored at Leicester (2m4f) in March; not discredited when fifth in 2m5f handicap chase at Newton Abbot 15 days ago so ought to be in the shake-up eased 1lb.

3/1

Form: -5B571 D

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the seventh attempt (just second handicap run) when scrambling home in a 2m3f novice handicap hurdle at Chepstow (heavy) in January, left in the lead at the last; goes chasing off the same mark and still capable of further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Worcester

Borodale

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Off the mark at the seventh attempt when scoring narrowly at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) in January, left in lead at last; runs off the same mark here but has to put a poor run on chasing debut (jumped poorly) well behind him.

6/1

5th

6

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:45 Southwell

Borodale

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Off the mark at the seventh attempt (just second handicap run) when scrambling home in a 2m3f novice handicap hurdle at Chepstow (heavy) in January, left in the lead at the last; goes chasing off the same mark and still capable of further progress.

3/1

5th

6

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:45 Southwell

Borodale

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Off the mark at the seventh attempt (just second handicap run) when scrambling home in a 2m3f novice handicap hurdle at Chepstow (heavy) in January, left in the lead at the last; goes chasing off the same mark and still capable of further progress.

3/1

Form: 2463P8 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Course winner (2m, good to soft) off a 7lb higher mark last March; ran okay at Market Rasen in January and has had excuses (ground/grade) the last twice; could go well back in calmer waters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

2nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Maninsane

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

The first of his two chase wins (from 19 attempts) was over C&D in 2022 and he was runner-up back here on reappearance this term; ran respectably at Southwell last time and should figure prominently in this field.

6/1

6th

10

2nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Maninsane

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

towards rear

6/1

4th

10

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:05 Southwell

Maninsane

11st 8lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Bit of a mixed bag since winning off 11lb higher here (2m, good to soft) in March last year, his second of eight at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) on his return last month (has a good record fresh) surrounded by lesser efforts; others are more convincing.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: F71-PP

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Three wins over fences in France, latterly in a 2m1f claimer at Auteuil (heavy) in late 2022; struggled in two runs for his new stable after a long absence but he's had wind surgery since the latest and is now eased in grade; tongue tied today; market support would be a positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

7th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

14:15 Fakenham

Man Again

11st 1lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

in touch with leaders, not fluent 1st, lost ground after 5th, not fluent 4 out

8/1

7th

2

7th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

14:15 Fakenham

Man Again

11st 1lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

in touch with leaders, not fluent 1st, lost ground after 5th, not fluent 4 out

8/1

1

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:45 Southwell

Man Again

12st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Three wins over fences in France, latterly in a 2m1f claimer at Auteuil (heavy) in late 2022; struggled in two runs for his new stable after a long absence but he's had wind surgery since the latest and is now eased in grade; tongue tied today; market support would be a positive.

20/1

Form: 136-4P D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Claims on last season's best but he made an underwhelming return from 320 days off at Plumpton 23 days ago; needs to leave that effort behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:45 Southwell

Luckofthedraw

11st 8lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Toby Bulgin

Claims on last season's best but he made an underwhelming return from 320 days off at Plumpton 23 days ago; needs to leave that effort behind him.

14/1

5

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:45 Southwell

Luckofthedraw

11st 8lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Toby Bulgin

Claims on last season's best but he made an underwhelming return from 320 days off at Plumpton 23 days ago; needs to leave that effort behind him.

14/1

3

31st Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

16:50 Plumpton

Luckofthedraw

11st 7lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Toby Bulgin

Beat just two rivals at Huntingdon in March (2m4f, soft) and hasn't fared so well since in deeper races; bit to prove.

14/1

Form: 35-U36

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Yet to match his hurdle form in three chase runs, the best of them coming when wearing cheekpieces (absent today) in January; dangerous mark but needs to brush up his jumping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:38 Newcastle

Couldbeaweapon

11st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Has won his last two handicap chases, at Southwell (2m4f, good) and last time a conditional riders' event at Sedgefield by 17l (2m5f, good; clear leader fell four out); went up 10lb for that even though he wasn't sure to have won; can run off his old mark here; contender.

5/6

3

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:38 Newcastle

Couldbeaweapon

11st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Has won his last two handicap chases, at Southwell (2m4f, good) and last time a conditional riders' event at Sedgefield by 17l (2m5f, good; clear leader fell four out); went up 10lb for that even though he wasn't sure to have won; can run off his old mark here; contender.

5/6

1st

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

14:30 Sedgefield

Couldbeaweapon

11st 4lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Pretty consistent and the front two were clear when off the mark over fences (1-14) at Southwell (2m4f, good) 17 days ago; has gone up 8lb but Tom Midgley takes away 3lb out of that with his claim.

13/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.80
Straight Forecast £32.85
Tricast £229.10
Trifecta £248.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Great Samourai

The Guardian:

Borodale

Telegraph:

Man Again

WEST COUNTRY:

Couldbeaweapon

TOPSPEED:

Duke Of Luckley

The Times:

Begin The Luck

The Star:

Borodale

Daily Mail:

Man Again

RP RATINGS:

Great Samourai

Daily Mirror:

Great Samourai

The Sun:

Great Samourai

Daily Record:

Great Samourai

D Express:

Couldbeaweapon

POSTDATA:

Duke Of Luckley