April 23 / 16.40 Southwell

16.40

Good To Soft

Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At Planet Sport Bet Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 4f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At Planet Sport Bet Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 3-3419

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Beat only three rivals to win Fontwell novice (2m3f, heavy) in February on third hurdle run, and soundly beaten on subsequent handicap debut at Sandown (2m4f, soft); has to prove he can cut it off this mark but it was a hot race last time and he's not discounted; runner-up in good-ground bumper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

16:42 Newbury

High Treason

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Started the season over fences and that didn't go well; his fifth over C&D in January was encouraging but again failed to fire at Ascot; there's a competitive show in him should the new cheekpieces (on for a visor) trigger something.

16/1

9th

8

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

High Treason

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Began season with two below-par chase runs in the autumn but gave good account when fifth of 17 over hurdles at Newbury (3m, good to soft; first-time visor) last month and will be fine on the slower ground here.

16/1

5th

3

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

High Treason

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Modest efforts this term, taking chase record to 0-6; rallied to win at Southwell (2m4f) on last hurdles attempt, taking strike-rate in this sphere to 2-5; revival possible, provided he takes well to added visor.

25/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 2F-9P5 D

Last run: 104 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
His best form has come over fences and he's struggled in that sphere this season; however, a wind op may prompt a revival and he's on an attractive mark; won over hurdles in 2021; not a forlorn hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Nothin To Ask

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

disputed lead, prominent before 2nd, weakened on turn after 13th, soon pulled up

5/1

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Nothin To Ask

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

disputed lead, prominent before 2nd, weakened on turn after 13th, soon pulled up

5/1

2nd

1

14th Dec 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

13:22 Newcastle

Nothin To Ask

11st 10lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

raced in third, slightly hampered but left in second 8th, went clear with winner 12th, not fluent 5 out, no chance with winner when jumped slightly left 2 out, awkward jump last, kept on

11/4

50/1

  • Place: £8.70

Form: P61405

Last run: 157 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won Stratford selling handicap (2m2f, good) last September for Fergal O'Brien; however, unable to threaten last autumn on his three starts for John Cornwall (who still owns him); may be best watched on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Elham Valley

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Back in good form this spring (placed three times) and didn't run badly when fifth on latest outing three weeks ago, but there are still more obvious options than this high-mileage 7yo.

16/1

5th

2

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Elham Valley

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Won four times over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien, the latest a selling handicap off 1lb lower; solid efforts in three Southwell handicaps (2m-2m4f) for this yard and unlikely to be far away.

7/1

2nd

1

4th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:20 Southwell

Elham Valley

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

in touch with leaders

9/2

Form: 2331PP CD

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Knocking on the door (including on good to soft ground) prior to winning at Wincanton (2m5f, heavy) in January; has tackled 2m7f/3m when pulled up the last twice and this drop back in trip could help, but it's hard to be confident in this 10yo's claims on the back of those performances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

31st May 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

21:00 Stratford

Rare Clouds

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Dan Horsford

Seems versatile regarding ground and has slipped to a workable mark but was inconsistent for Simon Earle last year and fell quite heavily on last month's stable debut; others look safer.

20/1

4

31st May 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

21:00 Stratford

Rare Clouds

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Dan Horsford

Seems versatile regarding ground and has slipped to a workable mark but was inconsistent for Simon Earle last year and fell quite heavily on last month's stable debut; others look safer.

20/1

8

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell

Rare Clouds

11st 6lb

J: James Best

T: Dan Horsford

Landed good prize at Wincanton (2m5f, heavy) in early 2024 and also has a good-ground course win on his CV; signed off for Simon Earle with poor run in December but makes stable debut from a workable mark; not ruled out.

16/1

Form: P5-668 D

Last run: 123 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Ex-Nicky Henderson 8yo who didn't run badly on last September's stable debut but he's been well beaten on both starts since and a return to form is needed on this return from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:52 Ludlow

Rathmacknee

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Danni O’Neill

Regressive 10yo who is better known as a chaser now and was just a modest third at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; reverts to hurdling on a tempting mark but others have more appealing profiles.

12/1

8

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Rathmacknee

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Danni O’Neill

Has some fairly useful form on his CV but has become disappointing; returned from a break with respectable fourth in modest Worcester handicap (2m, good) in June but his 2m4f run there in July was below that level.

16/1

8

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Rathmacknee

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Danni O’Neill

Has some fairly useful form on his CV but has become disappointing; returned from a break with respectable fourth in modest Worcester handicap (2m, good) in June but his 2m4f run there in July was below that level.

16/1

Form: /12-P3

Last run: 126 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
French winner (2m2f, very soft) who was under pressure very early when 23l third of eight at Fakenham (2m, soft) in December on second stable start; however, today's longer trip may help and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Lingfield

Seignor Gringo

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richard J Bandey

Ex-French; fourth of seven at Fontwell (3m2f, good) in May was easily his closest finish in five British handicaps but even that gives him serious work to do; 63l behind the winner four weeks ago; tongue-tie (worn initially in France, where he did better without) returns.

16/1

3rd

6

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Lingfield

Seignor Gringo

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richard J Bandey

Ex-French; fourth of seven at Fontwell (3m2f, good) in May was easily his closest finish in five British handicaps but even that gives him serious work to do; 63l behind the winner four weeks ago; tongue-tie (worn initially in France, where he did better without) returns.

16/1

5th

6

16th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Worcester

Seignor Gringo

11st 7lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Well held in three handicaps for this stable (2m-2m5.5f) before finishing a respectable fourth of seven at Fontwell upped to 3m2f in May (refitted cheekpieces, retained); others make more appeal with the drop back in trip a concern, returning from a five-month break.

14/1

Form: -7211P D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Pulled up when back in a handicap at Sandown last month; however, that was a hotter race than this and he'd previously shown improved form in these cheekpieces, winning a Ludlow maiden (2m5f, soft) then a Leicester novice (2m4f, soft); also effective on good/good to soft; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

14:05 Newbury

Awaythelad

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

He's just 1lb higher than when winning at Southwell (3m, good to soft) last March; Ascot in November was a step back in the right direction but he was still below his best and this 9yo needs to raise his game today.

20/1

9

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Awaythelad

11st 8lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Ben Pauling

Spoiled chance by jumping poorly on final appearance last season but won with considerable authority at Southwell (3m, good to soft) two starts ago and has good claims if able to repeat that performance.

14/1

4th

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Awaythelad

11st 10lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

didn't jump well, disputed lead, lost position when slow jump 2nd, led before 8th, headed 8th, lost position after 4 out, soon weakened

6/4

8/1

Form: -26517 D

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Disappointing in first-time visor at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) in January and the headgear is retained for this first run since; however, this 5yo looked progressive when winning at Wetherby on Boxing Day (2m3f, soft; in cheekpieces) and is not written off; also effective on good/good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Elogio

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Made a respectable start for this yard in 2m1f-2m6f handicaps but hasn't been so clever the last twice.

14/1

1

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Elogio

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Made a respectable start for this yard in 2m1f-2m6f handicaps but hasn't been so clever the last twice.

14/1

5

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:10 Uttoxeter

Elogio

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Started off for Lizzie Quinlan with three pretty good efforts last summer (one over C&D) and is versatile regarding ground; returned from layoff with quiet run in July but has possibilities here if that outing brought him on.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: -55527 D

Last run: 167 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
11yo who was inconsistent across his five runs last year and returns from some time off today; however, he was runner-up at Bangor (2m7f, good) last September and his claims will be boosted if he's on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Finisk River

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Veteran with seven hurdling wins on his CV; returned from layoff with fairly encouraging 2m3f run three weeks ago and may be better suited by this sort of trip nowadays but younger rivals appeal more.

20/1

4th

4

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 3

19:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Finisk River

11st 5lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Veteran who held on narrowly to capitalise upon some help from the handicapper here (2m7f, good) last summer, his seventh hurdling success; back down to the same mark now but had gone off the boil again when last seen in the autumn.

14/1

6th

5

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

14:30 Sedgefield

Finisk River

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Just held on to win off a reduced mark at Bangor (2m7f, good) in September and is only 1lb higher here but he's getting long in the tooth now and wasn't quite in the same form on his last two appearances.

10/1

Form: -P8955 C

Last run: 248 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Prolific over hurdles and fences in 2022 and he's tumbled down the weights; market check advised with Harry Cobden booked on first outing since last August, but he struggled last year and returns with lots to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

23rd Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell

Clear The Runway

11st 5lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: L J Morgan

took keen hold, prominent, led but not fluent 5th, headed and weakened quickly home turn, lost touch 2 out

14/1

11th

6

23rd Sep 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:15 Sedgefield

Clear The Runway

11st 8lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Prolific in 2022 over hurdles and fences but quiet this year over the smaller obstacles; reservations for now.

6/1

7th

9

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Worcester

Clear The Runway

11st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

in touch with leaders, jumped badly left 1st

16/1

Form: 421423

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Irish bumper winner (1m7f, good to yielding) who won on hurdle debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) last October and has run creditably in defeat since at up to 2m3f; lightly raced and could have potential off opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:40 Southwell

Tommy Time

11st 8lb

J: Thomas Dowson

T: Philip Kirby

Irish bumper winner (1m7f, good to yielding) who won on hurdle debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) last October and has run creditably in defeat since at up to 2m3f; lightly raced and could have potential off opening mark.

7/1

8

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:40 Southwell

Tommy Time

11st 8lb

J: Thomas Dowson

T: Philip Kirby

Irish bumper winner (1m7f, good to yielding) who won on hurdle debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) last October and has run creditably in defeat since at up to 2m3f; lightly raced and could have potential off opening mark.

7/1

3rd

3

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

14:15 Wetherby

Tommy Time

11st 9lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Philip Kirby

raced in third and in touch with leaders, jumped left 3rd, ridden after 3 out, no telling impression

4/1

Form: -102PP D

Last run: 171 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on last two starts in the autumn (soft/good to soft); however, he's of interest on his creditable good-ground form earlier in the season and he can go well fresh; could be a player if getting his conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Uttoxeter

Fennas Loss

10st 2lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Stephen Allen

Might be glad to see the back of fences but it's been a long time since he showed his true form over hurdles.

50/1

7

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:15 Worcester

Fennas Loss

10st 10lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Stephen Allen

Started off for current stable with three heavy defeats over hurdles last summer (2m-2m4f) and was again well beaten when reappearing in a recent 2m chase here; big leap of faith required to support him.

33/1

4

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:40 Worcester

Fennas Loss

11st 2lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Stephen Allen

Started off for current stable with three heavy defeats over hurdles last summer; reverts to chasing after 284-day absence; big leap of faith required to support him.

25/1

Non-runners

Mr Bramley, Shinji

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.20
Straight Forecast £38.36
Tricast £1010.42
Trifecta £689.80

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Tommy Time

SPOTLIGHT:

Mr Bramley

Daily Mirror:

High Treason

WEST COUNTRY:

Awaythelad

Telegraph:

Clear The Runway

The Star:

Nothin To Ask

POSTDATA:

Tommy Time

The Guardian:

Tommy Time

D Express:

Tommy Time

Daily Record:

High Treason

RP RATINGS:

Mr Bramley

The Times:

Mr Bramley

The Sun:

Mr Bramley

Daily Mail:

Awaythelad