April 28 / 16.50 Southwell (AW)

16.50

Standard

Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At Planet Sport Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £14850
  • 0m 6f 16y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At Planet Sport Bet Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 46-361 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo who has endured some lengthy absences but his win at Kempton (6f, Polytrack) last time shows that the ability remains; has winning form on Tapeta (at Wolverhampton) and is respected from 3lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:40 Windsor

Al Barez

9st 7lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Tom Clover

His last win was off 15lb higher but that was on AW in April 2024 and he has mixed record in four runs this year; ran well at Kempton (6f) in March but he was remote when third at Leicester last time and needs to bounce back again after that disappointing effort.

10/1

3rd

2

(5)

13th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:22 Leicester

Al Barez

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tom Clover

Losing turf run goes back four years and he wasn't particularly convincing on grass in the middle months of 2025; however, he is 11lb lower than the latest attempt and his recent AW run at Kempton was quite encouraging; revival on the cards with Rossa Ryan up for the first time.

5/2

3rd

2

(8)

18th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Al Barez

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Tom Clover

His form has deteriorated and he was underwhelming over C&D four weeks ago; however, prior to that he was a close fourth over C&D after a break and this C&D winner is not ruled out off a reduced mark.

13/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 411247 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced when beaten less than 2l into seventh of 16 at Newbury (6f, good to soft) nine days ago, but looks better on the AW and has been successful in his last two appearances over C&D; still 7lb above his last winning mark, but 1lb lower than when second of 12 in a 0-105 at Newcastle (5f, Tapeta) last month; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(7)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Newmarket

Billyjoh

8st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

His losing sequence goes back 22 races to February 2024; however, he's often run well in the interim and he's been given a bit of help from the handicapper ahead of this reappearance; can be in the mix if fully tuned up.

10/1

8th

11

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Billyjoh

8st 10lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

5yo whose 31 starts have been at 5f-7f and his losing spell goes back to February 2024; however, he's run many big races in the interim, most recently at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) in August when finishing strongly for a share of third, and on that evidence this first crack at 1m is well worth a go.

8/1

16/1

  • Place: £11.40

Form: 15807- D

Last run: 205 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Six-time turf winner, including when completing a hat-trick over 5f/6f last summer; half-brother to a couple of AW winners, but still faces a stiff task from the outside stall after seven months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Paws For Thought

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Donald McCain

Six times a course winner, including over this trip; can go well fresh and not handicapped out of things but slower ground would have been preferable.

12/1

9th

1

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

13:55 Catterick

Paws For Thought

9st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Gained his sixth win at Chester (5.5f, soft) last month; well beaten at York last month but turning tracks seem to bring out the best in him (has a win and second from only three visits here); not discounted.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1273-0 C

Last run: 72 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
8lb higher mark on the AW than on turf; same mark as when successful at Lingfield (7f, Polytrack) in February last year and can go well fresh, but a suspicion that he needs that extra furlong on the AW now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(10)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Tiger Crusade

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David Simcock

Ten-time winner who scored at Lingfield (7f, Polytrack) in Janaury but he's not got involved in his last three starts; now 2lb lower than for that last success but he needs to rediscover his spark.

20/1

5th

2

(7)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Tiger Crusade

9st 7lb

J: Jack Dace

T: David Simcock

Consistent record round here (2-4 over C&D) and is back on the mark off which he won here in January; not in the same form of late, there's always a chance he'll blow the start and it's no certainty the race will be set up for him.

8/1

6th

3

(3)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tiger Crusade

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Simcock

C&D winner who gained his sixth success on the AW at Lingfield (7f, AW) in January; didn't quite see 1m out when sixth there in February and he never featured in a 0-105 at Kempton (7f) 22 days ago; will appreciate the drop in grade but he'll want a good gallop to aim at over this shorter trip.

8/1

Form: 3/420- CD BF

Last run: 240 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Two wins in the spring of of 2022 included one over C&D, but he didn't run very well at Thirsk (6f, good) last September on his return from an absence and has been off for another eight months since; comes with risk attached.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(5)

18th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Ingra Tor

8st 12lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Resurgent 5yo who won at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) in September before a close call at Wolverhampton the following month; this is tougher back in a Class 2 but he remains well handicapped on his best form and is not ruled out.

11/2

7th

10

(5)

18th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Ingra Tor

8st 12lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Resurgent 5yo who won at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) in September before a close call at Wolverhampton the following month; this is tougher back in a Class 2 but he remains well handicapped on his best form and is not ruled out.

11/2

Form: 736-45 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
2-5 over C&D and has dropped 1lb below his last winning mark; has run with credit in both starts since returning this month and no surprise if he again runs well now returned to this venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

4th Jun 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

17:40 Lingfield (AW)

Shalaa Asker

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Wallis

Busy since the autumn; some narrow defeats to go with three 5f wins, on Polytrack elsewhere and Tapeta; ran flat at Southwell recently but he's realistically weighted if that wasn't a sign that he's going off the boil.

9/2

6th

5

(2)

21st May 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

17:57 Southwell (AW)

Shalaa Asker

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charlie Wallis

Three wins in the winter, including over C&D, and he has continued to run well off his revised mark; drawn wide on turf last time and usually gives his running round here, so holds each-way claims.

12/1

6th

3

(1)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 4f 217y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield

Shalaa Asker

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charlie Wallis

Nine wins on the AW but just 1-28 on turf; fit from a productive winter campaign but he's drawn on the outside and others are more appealing.

6/1

Form: 1748-7

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Three wins over 5f last year, including at Newcastle (Tapeta) and Chelmsford (Polytrack); may not have handled the heavy ground at Bath three weeks ago on his return from five months off, but has something to prove on this first attempt at 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(3)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 2

17:40 Windsor

Rhythm N Hooves

8st 7lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Robert Cowell

Won three 5f handicaps in 2025; continued to run well on his first three starts this year but he didn't really fire behind a stablemate at Goodwood (5f, good) last time; that took his losing run up to ten and he needs to get back near his best.

15/2

4th

11

(10)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Rhythm N Hooves

8st 7lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Robert Cowell

Notched three 5f handicaps in 2025 and he has continued in decent form this season, fifth of 14 at Musselburgh last month; ought to be thereabouts once more off an easing mark.

10/1

8th
9 (4)
Billboa

4/1

Form: 021-11 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
In fine form on the Dundalk Polytrack since December, rattling off a hat-trick over 5f/6f; up another 5lb in his bid for the four-timer, but he is half-brother to a Tapeta winner so has to be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(10)

26th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

18:48 Dundalk (AW)

Billboa

8st 12lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: W P Browne

All three wins came here in successive races, the latest in March 2024; hasn't looked the same horse since returning from an absence.

33/1

11th

3

(10)

13th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:28 Dundalk (AW)

Billboa

9st 13lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: W P Browne

Three-time course winner from seven visits; not at his best in three runs since returning from a 553-day absence; weakened into a 9.5l seventh in first-time cheekpieces (left off now) here last time (6f); beat Inishmot Prince off a mark of 78 here in 2024 but needs to come back to his best.

13/1

7th

1

(11)

28th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

15:02 Dundalk (AW)

Billboa

10st 2lb

J: Adam Browne-Souza

T: W P Browne

Three-time course winner from six visits; returned from 553-day break when last of 14 at the Curragh (5f, heavy) in November; did not get the best of runs in a 5f handicap here last month; cheekpieces tried now; now 6lb below his last winning mark.

14/1

Form: 644822 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Holds his form remarkably well given his busy schedule and has run right up to his best in finishing runner-up over this trip at Lingfield and Kempton in his last two starts; has won twice here (6f/7f) and another big effort wouldn't surprise; stable also runs Billyjoh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

15

(15)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Intervention

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Michael Appleby

Won last season's Great St Wilfrid at Ripon off a 7lb higher mark; didn't run badly at Nottingham (5f, good) on penultimate start and a wide draw offers an excuse at Chester since.

33/1

10th

13

(12)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Intervention

9st 5lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Won last season's Great St Wilfrid at Ripon off a 5lb higher mark; didn't run badly at Nottingham 12 days ago (5f, good) but he has a double-figure stall to contend with and could prove vulnerable.

16/1

25/1

Form: 98-968 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Five wins on the AW, including on Tapeta at Wolverhampton, but losing run is up to 19 and there was nothing in three starts since returning from six months off to suggest that is about to change.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(3)

4th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Power

9st 3lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Not as good or consistent as he was and does a lot of his racing now over 6f, as when behind Monks Dream (Dark Kestrel fifth) here recently; again only holds each-way claims.

8/1

7

(6)

15th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Power

9st 4lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Dropped to a dangerous mark and his last two efforts have been more encouraging; 7lb better off with Brazilian Rose on last month's C&D run but wouldn't be open to the same progress as that rival.

14/1

4th

2

(2)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Power

9st 9lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Close third on latest outing but isn't certain to build on that effort; 0-11 for current yard and losing run goes back to 2022.

10/1

16/1

Form: 22619- D

Last run: 218 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Two wins over 6f on turf for Ed Bethell last summer and now makes his debut for his new yard after seven months off; well held in his one attempt on the AW (at Newcastle); market may indicate what is expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(8)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Ripon

Rock Of England

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Resumed winning ways on AW at Newcastle (5f; beating stablemate Herakles) in April; ran well from this revised mark at Pontefract (5f; third, reportedly bled from the nose) subsequently; trainer won this in 2021, 2022, and 2024, so he's one to have on the shortlist.

4/1

3rd

7

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

14:48 Pontefract

Rock Of England

9st 1lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Paul Midgley

Stepped up on his low-key reappearance when winning a 5f handicap at Newcastle 16 days ago; this demands more up 4lb and he wasn't at his best in one C&D run last summer.

11/4

1st

6

(10)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Rock Of England

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Should come on for last month's Southwell reappearance; returning to a stiff 5f no bad thing either and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the betting with Paul Midgley running three here.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.00
Straight Forecast £10.06
Tricast £294.03
Trifecta £391.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Al Barez

D Express:

Billyjoh

The Times:

Ingra Tor

POSTDATA:

Shalaa Asker

The Sun:

Billboa

RP RATINGS:

Rhythm N Hooves

NEWMARKET:

Tiger Crusade

Daily Mirror:

Billyjoh

TOPSPEED:

Al Barez

Telegraph:

Al Barez

Daily Record:

Al Barez

The Star:

Ingra Tor

THE NORTH:

Shalaa Asker