August 29 / 17.45 Southwell (AW)

17.45

Standard

tote.co.uk It’s The Final Countdown Racing League R36 Handicap (Trainers Reg’ To Racing League)

  • Prize money: £18039
  • 1m 4f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
ITV4
View Course
tote.co.uk It’s The Final Countdown Racing League R36 Handicap (Trainers Reg’ To Racing League)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.10
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 121483 D BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Two wins on turf (1m4f/1m6f) this year and again ran well when third of ten in a better race at the Ascot Shergar Cup meeting (1m4f, good) last time; 5lb lower on the AW having finished out of the frame in all four goes on artificial surfaces; may also prefer a bit further than this now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

24

(18)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Dancing In Paris

8st 11lb

T: Ian Williams

Reserve; acts on good to soft, much more to prove on soft; came back to the boil to win a Shergar Cup race at Ascot (2m) two weeks ago and peak efforts last term, including a 2m fourth at this meeting, were a bit better; with 4lb penalty, though, a career best may nevertheless be required.

40/1

1st

4

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Dancing In Paris

9st 6lb

J: L J Ferraris

T: Ian Williams

Third in a 1m4f handicap at this meeting two years ago and his run over the same trip here 15 days ago was a step back in the right direction; has some appealing form to his name at 2m, so very much in the mix.

12/1

5th

5

(3)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:05 Ascot

Dancing In Paris

9st 7lb

J: David Egan

T: Ian Williams

Course winner over 1m6f (also has two wins at 1m4f) but he hasn't scored since August 2024; posted a couple of mighty seconds in big handicaps on AW and turf last term but he's yet to get going in two starts this year; dangerous mark if he can stage a revival and the market might be revealing.

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 2334

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Has made the frame in all four starts but finished behind three of these in his last two outings, firstly in a novice here (1m3f) and then on handicap debut in a Racing League handicap at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) a week ago; still unexposed but a bit more is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Whos Glen

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Useful Flat racer who made the frame on four of his five hurdling starts for Donald McCain last season, most notably when third in valuable series final at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in March; well beaten in good-quality Flat handicap last month but ought to play a significant role in this.

5/2

15th

4

(17)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Whos Glen

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Donald McCain

9-1 when fifth in the Chester Cup last year for Andrew Balding, which is as good as he's ever been on Flat; 7lb lower today, having been right off the boil for that yard later in 2025; recent hurdle efforts for new stable aren't enough to persuade, especially given such a wide draw.

33/1

2nd

5

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:10 Sedgefield

Whos Glen

11st 5lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

A useful winning stayer on the Flat for Andrew Balding; yet to match that form in this sphere but he posted his best effort when third of ten in 2m4f handicap at Musselburgh 12 days ago; not out of things on this stiffer track.

5/2

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 943632 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Landed a four-runner event at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) in April and was back off the same mark when beaten half a length in a stronger Racing League contest back there a week ago (Who's Glen and Lexington Knight behind); already due a 3lb rise for that and strong claims, especially if able to dominate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(5)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

La Pulga

9st 8lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Front-runner who has been keeping busy, winning at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) last month and going close on two of his three starts since, most recently beaten half a length at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm); has won here and is capable of another bold bid.

7/1

3

(6)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

La Pulga

9st 13lb

J: Hugh Bowman

T: Charlie Johnston

Usually front-runs; never better than with his first and second at the end of last month, which were on AW however and his top four RPRs have now been registered in that sphere; something to find on turf, including as he was third here (1m6f, good to firm) earlier in July but is now 7lb higher and he dropped out at Chepstow on Thursday.

5/1

20/1

Form: 310773 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Bounced back to winning form at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) in May and ran well when third of 11 in an amateur riders' handicap at Catterick (1m4f, good to firm) ten days ago; didn't run very well in any of his last seven starts on the AW, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(3)

14th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Southern Voyage

9st 10lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Scored at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) in May off 2lb higher mark; has only been placed once in seven starts since and finds himself on a career-low mark; doesn't seem ready to take advantage and best watched.

10/1

7th

2

(3)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Southern Voyage

10st 0lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Richard Fahey

took keen hold, prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out

11/2

6th

3

(1)

20th Sep 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Southern Voyage

10st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Still just 1lb above his last winning mark and far from disgraced when fourth of 12 in a 0-80 at Southwell (1m4f, AW) last time; each-way claims if seeing out the longer trip.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 138616 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Both wins this year have come on turf (1m4f), but he is a four-time winner on Tapeta; finished behind two of these when sixth of 13 at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) seven days ago and has work to do in order to reverse the form on the same terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 4

15:40 Brighton

Lexington Knight

10st 3lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Won this 12 months ago and returns on a hat-trick after another course win (made all) and a success at Salisbury that looked unlikely until he picked up late on; might travel sweeter back at this track and can cope with this mark.

3/1

1st

3

(2)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

19:50 Salisbury

Lexington Knight

9st 7lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Returned from three-month break with front-running win at Brighton (1m4f, good) in May and will be fine on the faster surface here but he's probably not quite as good as he was; younger rivals appeal more.

11/4

1

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

16:05 Brighton

Lexington Knight

9st 9lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Ordinary form on the AW during the winter but he is 5lb lower than when winning over C&D (good to firm) last August; off since February but he's respected back here on this return.

13/2

Form: 540723 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Beaten half a length or less in his last two starts at Newmarket (1m2f/1m4f); has winning form on Tapeta (at Wolverhampton) and is 8lb lower than when last on the AW, but losing run up to 14; needs a bit more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

9th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

17:15 Brighton

The Thunderer

10st 3lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

switched to near side

4/1

6th

9

(1)

29th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:45 Southwell (AW)

The Thunderer

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Stuart Williams

Beaten half a length or less in his last two starts at Newmarket (1m2f/1m4f); has winning form on Tapeta (at Wolverhampton) and is 8lb lower than when last on the AW, but losing run up to 14; needs a bit more.

11/1

3rd

3

(6)

23rd Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Newmarket (July)

The Thunderer

9st 6lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Stuart Williams

Has won four middle-distance handicaps and latest was off 9lb higher at Chester (1m4f, good) last June; 0-13 since but he bounced back with a close call over 1m2f here last Friday and is a big player if he can repeat that form (due to be 2lb higher in future).

9/4

Form: 221123 D BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Has been wonderfully consistent in turf/AW handicaps since returning in March (21221123); last four starts have been over 1m6f at Sandown and he is up another 2lb, but his record means he has to be shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

29th Jul 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Cock And Bull

10st 2lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Emmet Mullins

Three flat wins for Michael Bell came at 1m6f on quick ground; ordinary enough hurdles form for current yard but fine run on the flat over this trip at the Curragh on Derby weekend back on decent ground, only losing second late on when 2lb out of handicap; down in grade here and tongue-tie tried; has to be respected.

13/2

3rd

11

(1)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 76y

19:55 Curragh

Cock And Bull

8st 7lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Emmet Mullins

Dual-purpose; 3-13 on the Flat for Michael Bell, all three wins over 1m6f on fast ground; has placed AW form at around this trip; modest form on easy ground over hurdles so far for this yard but return to quicker conditions on the Flat could revive; 2lb wrong.

14/1

11/1

Form: -59327

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
0-8 and well held on handicap debut at Newbury (1m4f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) 12 days ago; however, he had previously finished second of 13 in a 1m3f novice here (Who's Glen third) and a couple of those behind have won since; worth a second look back at this venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

14:30 Hexham

At Vimeiro

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Fairly useful on Flat (2m winner) for Jane Chapple-Hyam and has taken quite well to hurdling, winning then third over 2m1f at Cartmel in the summer; carries a penalty but should be thereabouts.

7/2

1

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

15:55 Cartmel

At Vimeiro

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Fairly useful on Flat (2m winner) for Jane Chapple-Hyam and has taken well to hurdling, just shaken up to beat six rivals over C&D (soft) last month; open to improvement and should go well under a penalty.

5/2

1st

7

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

15:12 Cartmel

At Vimeiro

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Signed off on the Flat for Jane Chapple-Hyam with 2m AW win in January (RPR 80) and was very much in contention before final-flight unseat over C&D (good to soft) on stable/hurdle debut in May; Richie McLernon presumably had the pick of the two stable runners in this race; shortlisted.

8/1

Form: 2/8638 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won three times for Ivan Furtado at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) at the end of 2021, but was off for 20 months before returning for this yard in June; well held in another Racing League contest back at Wolverhampton (9.5f) four weeks ago and although this trip should suit him better, still has enough to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(10)

18th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Desert Emperor

10st 1lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Won a Newcastle handicap over a similar trip last December off the same mark; best effort this year when second of five back at Newcastle three weeks ago; suspicion the 3yos will have his measure this time.

10/1

1

(4)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Emperor

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Won over C&D in December but he's returned from a layoff with two low-key runs this summer; only 1lb higher than for that last success but tailed off at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) last month and needs a major revival.

20/1

10th

4

(1)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

16:52 Southwell (AW)

Desert Emperor

10st 1lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Returned from layoff with low-key turf run three weeks ago but won over about 1m4f on Tapeta at Newcastle in December and has obvious claims here if back at that level.

14/1

20/1

Form: 1-5043 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Was having only his second AW start when successful at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) last October and was back off the same mark when third of nine in first-time cheekpieces at Beverley (1m2f, good) last month; still unexposed in this sphere and one to consider back from a short break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(4)

29th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Strawman

9st 9lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Gemma Tutty

Was having only his second AW start when successful at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) last October and was back off the same mark when third of nine in first-time cheekpieces at Beverley (1m2f, good) last month; still unexposed in this sphere and one to consider back from a short break.

20/1

3rd

1

(9)

6th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

16:00 Beverley

Strawman

9st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

prominent

16/1

4th

2

(4)

19th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 4

19:05 Ripon

Strawman

9st 7lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Gemma Tutty

in touch with leaders

7/1

9/1

Form: 649423

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Sole success in 18 starts came at Newcastle (1m2f, Tapeta) in May; has run well the last twice, including when third of 11 in a Racing League contest over the same C&D a week ago; stays this far and holds each-way claims from the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(10)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Natzor

8st 10lb

J: Molly Keegan-Price

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Dual course winner (1m2f; last win October 2024); has beaten just a single rival in his last three appearances (1m2f-12.5f) and, while he has eased 11lb over that period (and is claimer ridden), it's tough to form an argument.

40/1

12th

10

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Ayr

Natzor

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won twice for David O'Meara on Newcastle AW (1m2f) in 2024 but 0-12 on turf; out of sorts last year, and has failed to beat a rival in last two appearances, at Newcastle and Redcar; mark is in freefall but plenty to prove.

66/1

8th

8

(4)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

15:15 Redcar

Natzor

9st 5lb

J: William Pyle

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Dual winner over 1m2f at Newcastle in 2024 but winless since; close-up fourth there at a big price in March but has struggled in three starts since, all at Newcastle; returns to turf with a bit to prove.

50/1

14/1

Form: 232001 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Both wins this year have come at Kempton (1m4f, Polytrack), the latest off 3lb lower in a slowly run contest 15 days ago; handles Tapeta but this looks tougher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(12)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:35 Epsom

Damascus Steel

11st 3lb

J: Mr Fletcher Yarham

T: Gihan Arnolda

2-4 for new stable, winning at Goodwood (1m4f, good; cheekpieces first time) before getting the better Epictetus over C&D last month; came unstuck at York in his hat-trick bid and this looks a competitive race in which to get back on track.

20/1

8th

8

(3)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

16:17 York

Damascus Steel

9st 1lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Gihan Arnolda

Represents a new trainer in excellent form and has won at Goodwood (1m4f, good) and Epsom (1m4f, good to firm) on his last two outings, proving himself better than ever; edging up the weights only gradually and in the mix again.

10/1

1st

4

(8)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Epsom

Damascus Steel

10st 6lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Gihan Arnolda

Did well on AW last winter and even better form when the cheekpieces replaced a visor at Goodwood (1m4f, good) four weeks ago, leading over 1f out to score with rather more authority than the half-length winning margin suggests; used to act on good to firm; up 3lb but firmly in the picture.

5/1

Non-runners

Chillhi

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.40
Straight Forecast £9.72
Tricast £36.70
Trifecta £54.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

La Pulga

The Guardian:

Who's Glen

RP RATINGS:

Dancing In Paris

POSTDATA:

The Thunderer

Telegraph:

Cock And Bull

The Sun:

At Vimeiro

D Express:

Strawman

The Star:

Who's Glen

Daily Record:

Who's Glen

The Times:

Dancing In Paris

TOPSPEED:

La Pulga

Daily Mail:

La Pulga

Daily Mirror:

La Pulga

NEWMARKET:

The Thunderer