April 23 / 17.50 Southwell

17.50

Good To Soft

Get Emma’s Offers At Planet Sport Bet Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 3m 0f 60y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
SKY
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Get Emma’s Offers At Planet Sport Bet Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.00
  • Place: £4.20

Form: 250-3P

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Needs to bounce back from a tame effort on soft ground in February but made very encouraging seasonal/stable/handicap debut when third at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December and has possibilities here if aided by first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Urban Soldier

11st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Came good over hurdles at sixth attempt, comfortably drawing 6l clear of gambled-on favourite at Southwell (3m, good; first-time cheekpieces) in April; 7lb higher here but could easily have a lot more to offer.

9/4

1st

3

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Urban Soldier

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Needs to bounce back from a tame effort on soft ground in February but made very encouraging seasonal/stable/handicap debut when third at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December and has possibilities here if aided by first-time cheekpieces.

6/1

1st

3

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Urban Soldier

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Needs to bounce back from a tame effort on soft ground in February but made very encouraging seasonal/stable/handicap debut when third at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December and has possibilities here if aided by first-time cheekpieces.

6/1

16/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 4-P7P

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Pulled up when upped to 2m3f for handicap at Huntingdon (2m3f, soft) in February but remains very unexposed and is still worth keeping an eye on in the betting; tongue-tie fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

13:30 Doncaster

Jeteye

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

raced wide, in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th, dropped to rear 7th, outpaced before 3 out, no impression 2 out, weakened approaching last

4/1

5th

6

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

13:30 Doncaster

Jeteye

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

raced wide, in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th, dropped to rear 7th, outpaced before 3 out, no impression 2 out, weakened approaching last

4/1

3rd

10

29th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

11:55 Doncaster

Jeteye

11st 3lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Sam England

in rear, not fluent 5th, headway and in touch with leaders after 6th

5/1

6/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 543211 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Was a longstanding maiden until winning at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) and Hexham (2m7f, heavy) in recent weeks; evidently in very good nick but will need to take another step forward to land this prize.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

19:40 Hexham

Rumble B

10st 13lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Justin Landy

Dual C&D winner who has finished runner-up at Catterick (3m1f, good to soft) and Wetherby (3m, good) in his last two runs; up another 3lb but he was only narrowly denied last time and remains well treated on his old form; key player.

4/1

Form: -42413 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Consistent 5yo who asserted on run-in to open account at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) in January, his seventh start over hurdles; placed off today's mark at Ascot (2m7f, good) last month and ought to be on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

18th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

15:20 Stratford

Nickelforce

11st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

Won readily over C&D (good) on chasing debut in September and followed up at Ludlow (2m4f, good) in October; absent since slightly disappointing run in December but could still have untapped potential over fences.

5/2

2nd

3

18th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

15:20 Stratford

Nickelforce

11st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

Won readily over C&D (good) on chasing debut in September and followed up at Ludlow (2m4f, good) in October; absent since slightly disappointing run in December but could still have untapped potential over fences.

5/2

5th

5

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 115y

Class 4

13:57 Doncaster

Nickelforce

11st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

2-3 since switched to fences in September, the wins gained on good ground at Stratford (2m6f) and Ludlow (2m4f); unseated rider mid-race at Leicester 12 days ago but remains very much of interest.

5/2

Form: -58B32

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
0-7 over hurdles but placed on both starts since upped to 3m and fitted with cheekpieces, more recently when second in stronger race than this at Newbury (good to soft) last month; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

16:25 Haydock

Mahler Moon

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

pressed leader, weakened after 2 out

5/2

5th

3

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

16:25 Haydock

Mahler Moon

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

pressed leader, weakened after 2 out

5/2

1st

14

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

16:37 Newbury

Mahler Moon

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Beaten 22l into third last time after wind surgery but that was over 2m3f and he was runner-up in this 12 months ago when 5lb higher (for Dan Skelton); if that last run after three months off has brought him on he could be very interesting.

7/1

Form: B-930P

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

6

25th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:20 Exeter

Royal Defender

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Bought for 155,000gns after winning Irish maiden point (3m) in May 2022; his rules form has been patchy but he was a fair third in a Lingfield novice hurdle (2m, good to soft) last November and is open to improvement now up in trip in first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut; watch the betting.

5/1

Form: P75342 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Has not progressed since last June's quite impressive 2m4f course maiden win (good ground) and was no match for winner when remote second over C&D (heavy) this month, but today's less testing ground ought to suit him better and he's on a good mark now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

27th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:40 Southwell

Faded Fantasy

10st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

He's 10lb lower than when going close over fences at Hereford in November but has struggled to get competitive subsequently, over hurdles on his last four starts; 1-23 in this sphere and has to raise his game.

14/1

8th

6

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

Faded Fantasy

11st 4lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Yet to add to his 2m4f Southwell maiden win in spring 2023 and his two handicap runs there (2m4f/3m) last month were underwhelming; competes off another career-low mark but needs to up his game.

12/1

5

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:40 Southwell

Faded Fantasy

11st 5lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Exposed sort who is 0-19 in handicap hurdles and ran poorly over 3m here last time; however, record of 1-1 over C&D (maiden win in 2023) gives cause for optimism.

14/1

Form: 4055P0

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Just a respectable fifth on handicap debut at Kempton (2m5f, soft) in February and well beaten twice since (2m5f/2m4f); wore cheekpieces two starts ago; blinkers on for this first attempt at 3m; needs to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Golden Ambition

11st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Followed up his C&D win on soft ground in October when pushed out to score at Lingfield (2m7f), and his second at Ascot was no backward step; Huntingdon was but he's had a break since then; the blinkers that had been working so well are now removed, but he's respected nevertheless.

13/2

4th

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Golden Ambition

11st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Followed up his C&D win on soft ground in October when pushed out to score at Lingfield (2m7f), and his second at Ascot was no backward step; Huntingdon was but he's had a break since then; the blinkers that had been working so well are now removed, but he's respected nevertheless.

13/2

9th

14

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

13:55 Huntingdon

Golden Ambition

11st 3lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

prominent, led before 2nd

13/2

Form: 323313

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Consistent over hurdles towards end of last year and got off the mark at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) in January but his last two runs were disappointing (Flat/hurdle) and he's not bred to benefit from this step up in trip; cheekpieces refitted; others look much safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 77y

Class 5

14:58 Sedgefield

Im Too Tired

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Jennie Candlish

Not at best on either appearance this year but now only 1lb higher than when beating Fearless Action to open chasing account in small-field C&D (good to soft) contest on Boxing Day; swaps usual cheekpieces for first-time cheekpieces today; obvious contender if back on song.

100/30

Form: P-PP8F D

Last run: 102 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Dual good-ground hurdle winner at Newcastle (2m6f/2m7f) in early 2022 but seems badly to have lost his way over hurdles and fences during the last year or so; leap of faith is required to support him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Freethinker

10st 11lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Dual good-ground hurdle winner at Newcastle (2m6f/2m7f) in early 2022 but seems badly to have lost his way over hurdles and fences during the last year or so; leap of faith is required to support him here.

20/1

9

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Freethinker

10st 11lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Dual good-ground hurdle winner at Newcastle (2m6f/2m7f) in early 2022 but seems badly to have lost his way over hurdles and fences during the last year or so; leap of faith is required to support him here.

20/1

0

7

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

15:20 Huntingdon

Freethinker

10st 8lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Both wins in good-ground events over hurdles at Newcastle in 2022; achieved nothing in 2023, latterly over fences; enough to prove.

25/1

Form: 1-96PP D

Last run: 124 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Rallied well to lead close home at Taunton (3m, good) last March but has been out of form this season (including one chasing attempt); considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

14th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:22 Newton Abbot

Unspeakable

10st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won 3m hurdle at Taunton and confirmed his staying chase potential with a willing display to win there (2m7f, good to firm) last month; back up 5lb but still on a lowly mark and the extra distance should suit.

15/8

7

14th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:22 Newton Abbot

Unspeakable

10st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won 3m hurdle at Taunton and confirmed his staying chase potential with a willing display to win there (2m7f, good to firm) last month; back up 5lb but still on a lowly mark and the extra distance should suit.

15/8

1st

3

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:58 Taunton

Unspeakable

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

0-6 over fences but his second here (about 3m3f, good to soft) in November was up with his best and he also secured his only hurdle success at this track; may have just needed the run when fourth at Chepstow (2m7.5f, good) last month after an 80-day break; yard had a big winner at Aintree on Saturday and he should go well if this doesn't turn into too much of a speed test.

4/6

Form: 0P8668

Last run: 76 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Safely held in three 2m3f chases (all on soft ground) for new stable this season; might be better suited by today's trip-and-ground combination on his return to hurdling but has a lot more to prove than some.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

14th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Mizuma

10st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Danny Brooke

Safely held in three 2m3f chases (all on soft ground) for new stable during the winter and also when switched back to hurdling in refitted cheekpieces here (3m, good) last month; drops back in trip with blinkers tried today.

33/1

10

14th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Mizuma

10st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Danny Brooke

led

33/1

8th

12

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Mizuma

10st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Danny Brooke

Safely held in three 2m3f chases (all on soft ground) for new stable this season; might be better suited by today's trip-and-ground combination on his return to hurdling but has a lot more to prove than some.

25/1

Form: 63P626

Last run: 76 days

W: 10st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Proved he retains some ability when second at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) in December but this regressive veteran was safely held on his latest outing and is not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

13:35 Market Rasen

Just Call Me Al

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Gillian Boanas

always behind

33/1

6th

12

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

21:00 Stratford

Just Call Me Al

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Gillian Boanas

An 11yo who has fallen back into modest mode since his second at Musselburgh in December.

20/1

6

21st May 2024

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:25 Hexham

Just Call Me Al

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Gillian Boanas

Gave a good account when runner-up at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft; same mark) in December but has failed to stake any kind of claim at Sedgefield or Southwell subsequently; the percentage call is to focus on less-exposed rivals.

16/1

Form: 009P

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Struggled (albeit on soft ground) when 33-1 for handicap debut over C&D five weeks ago and is effectively 8lb higher today, from out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Clarehill

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Olly Williams

Struggled (albeit on soft ground) when 33-1 for handicap debut over C&D five weeks ago and is effectively 8lb higher today, from out of the handicap.

66/1

14

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Clarehill

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Olly Williams

Struggled (albeit on soft ground) when 33-1 for handicap debut over C&D five weeks ago and is effectively 8lb higher today, from out of the handicap.

66/1

6

18th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell

Clarehill

10st 5lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Olly Williams

Modest point form in Ireland; soundly beaten in maiden hurdles at 2m and 2m3f but he goes handicapping off a very modest mark, even if 3lb out of the weights, so may do better.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £72.20
Straight Forecast £54.13
Tricast £444.65
Trifecta £937.20

Selections

The Times:

Nickelforce

POSTDATA:

Mahler Moon

SPOTLIGHT:

Faded Fantasy

RP RATINGS:

Urban Soldier

WEST COUNTRY:

Royal Defender

The Star:

Freethinker

Telegraph:

Rumble B

The Guardian:

Nickelforce

D Express:

Nickelforce

Daily Mirror:

Nickelforce

The Sun:

Nickelforce

Daily Mail:

Mahler Moon

Daily Record:

Mahler Moon