October 17 / 18.30 Southwell (AW)

18.30

Standard

At The Races App Form Study Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 6f 16y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
At The Races App Form Study Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

1st
2 (5)
Hectic

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 569550 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Has had plenty of chances since debut win over two years ago and, although he's slipped to a handy mark, he'll have to better his recent turf efforts to return to winning ways in a first-time visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Hectic

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Liam Bailey

Back to his last winning mark and his first two runs in 2026 were respectable; eligible for weaker races than this and easy enough to look elsewhere.

33/1

4th

4

(6)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:02 Pontefract

Hectic

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Scored at Ripon (6f) in a relatively light campaign in 2025 and back this year with solid fourth placings in handicaps at Newcastle (7f) and Chelmsford (6f); ought to be in the shake-up eased 1lb.

10/1

4th

9

(6)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Hectic

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

May be nicely primed with Newcastle reappearance under his belt; however, he's not in the ideal spot, having gained both handicap wins off 2lb lower in Class 5; others preferred at this level.

25/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 584103 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Has found some form again since cheekpieces went on, winning at Beverley (5f) at the end of August; shaped well when third over C&D on recent AW debut, keeping on for third having had to wait for room at a crucial stage; should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(5)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Spirit Of Applause

8st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Ended a 15-race losing run when scoring by a head over C&D last month; only midfield under his penalty at Nottingham (6f, good to soft) next time, but each-way claims back here.

6/1

7th

10

(1)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 2

15:35 Nottingham

Spirit Of Applause

8st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

First win for 11 months when leading towards the finish at Southwell (5f, AW) 11 days ago; carries a 5lb penalty and has yet to win back to back in his 43-race career.

10/1

13

(14)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

17:07 Southwell (AW)

Spirit Of Applause

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Did well on AW in late 2024, including a Newcastle win and two runner-up finishes over C&D; 0-12 in 2025 but has dropped a long way in the weights and returns to AW off a 13lb lower mark than when sixth in a C&D Class 4 in April; considered.

12/1

9/2

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 022374 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
His losing sequence continues and latest Hamilton fourth of seven was no more than respectable; can figure back on AW but others are preferred for win purposes again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(2)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:28 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Johnson

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

led narrowly on far side of group, headed halfway, weakened inside final furlong

9/2

7th

2

(2)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:28 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Johnson

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

The veteran of the field but he arrives in top form, finding only the revitalised Mondammej too strong over C&D three weeks ago; not dismissed lightly off an unchanged mark.

9/2

2nd

7

(7)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Johnson

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Paul Midgley

led but pestered, headed inside final furlong, soon no extra

7/1

Form: 266463 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Arrives on the back of a creditable third at Bath but his very long losing spell remains a negative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(1)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Beyond Equal

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Stuart Kittow

took keen hold, prominent, going okay over 1f out, lost third final strides

8/1

4th

3

(1)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Beyond Equal

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Stuart Kittow

took keen hold, prominent, going okay over 1f out, lost third final strides

8/1

4th

7

(3)

31st Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

13:58 Bath

Beyond Equal

9st 7lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Stuart Kittow

dwelt start

6/1

6/1

Form: -71315 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Has proved a bargain buy for this yard at only 1,000gns, winning a pair of 6f turf handicaps in recent months; met all sorts of trouble when fifth (Spirit Of Applause third) over C&D 12 days ago and likely still on a workable mark; drawn widest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

15:10 Catterick

Fiscal Policy

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Done the bulk of his winning on AW (6-26), but one of his two turf wins came over C&D (from 8lb lower) in August 2024; in fine fettle, with form figures of 322, since returning to turf, beaten just over 2l by Mumayaz at Leicester (6f, good to firm) latest; should give his best.

11/2

2nd

4

(3)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:25 Leicester

Fiscal Policy

9st 4lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Multiple wins on AW and turf; has done well for this yard and his 6f turf form in 2025 certainly bears scrutiny; respectable efforts back on grass of late and while not at full strength in either, he'll be suited by this stiffer test at 6f providing there's a good pace; form chance.

100/30

2nd

4

(10)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Haydock

Fiscal Policy

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

No win on turf since September 2024 but he ran well for third at Thirsk (6f, good) two weeks ago, form that has been boosted by the winner and second running well in big fields since; one to be interested in off the same mark.

9/4

11/1

Form: 323537 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Four-time AW winner for Tony Carson; went without his usual visor when never involved on last month's Wolverhampton stable debut after a break and that headgear is missing again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(9)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Darlo Pride

9st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Having slipped in the weights he returned to form with a close third at Southwell five weeks ago; won't be inconvenienced by this stiffer test and he is one to take seriously.

7/2

3rd

9

(1)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Darlo Pride

9st 1lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Michael Dods

Shaped well on his return from a 258-day absence when fourth at Newcastle in December; yet to kick on from that and others look more persuasive.

14/1

7th

6

(3)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Darlo Pride

9st 3lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Not at his best since returning from a nine-month absence, just fifth to Digital over C&D last time out; more is required from this C&D winner.

10/1

12/1

Form: 107005 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Successful on four of his nine visits here, including two over this trip; respectable fifth of eight back here (7f) last time and being eased another 2lb can only help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(2)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

12:50 Catterick

Cliffcake

9st 1lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Roy Bowring

Five wins at Southwell but didn't run much of a race there last time and it's a long time since he was successful on turf; others appeal more.

20/1

2

(11)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Cliffcake

9st 9lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Roy Bowring

Five-time course winner at 7f and 6f who has run well at Doncaster on his last two starts, most recently when fourth (beaten a length) 19 days ago; just 1lb higher than his win here in February and has claims.

11/2

4th

8

(3)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:07 Doncaster

Cliffcake

9st 3lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Roy Bowring

Has a patchy profile but he's a prolific winner who bounced back with a fair fifth over C&D (good) three weeks ago; has possibilities if he can back that up and last success was off a similar mark.

10/1

Form: 504333 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won a 6f Newcastle handicap off a similar mark in March; recent turf efforts respectable and Hollie Doyle does the steering back on AW; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

(2)

30th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Glamorous Express

9st 0lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Tony Carroll

Saw his run of good form come to an end when eighth in 6f Southwell handicap 13 days ago; this C&D scorer is the sort to bounce back though.

10/1

4th

12

(2)

30th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Glamorous Express

9st 0lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Tony Carroll

Saw his run of good form come to an end when eighth in 6f Southwell handicap 13 days ago; this C&D scorer is the sort to bounce back though.

10/1

14/1

Form: 786094 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Rated some 15lb higher at the start of the year and last Thursday's C&D fourth of ten was a bit of a step back in the right direction; needs to build on that now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(7)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Bellagio Man

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Recorded back-to-back C&D wins last October (the second off 3lb lower) but the wheels came off in his hat-trick bid in November; back from 161 days off with a point to prove.

16/1

8

(6)

1st Nov 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Bellagio Man

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Comes here chasing a C&D hat-trick after two narrow wins last month; still feasibly weighted up 3lb and should be in the thick of the action.

9/2

8

(6)

1st Nov 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Bellagio Man

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Comes here chasing a C&D hat-trick after two narrow wins last month; still feasibly weighted up 3lb and should be in the thick of the action.

9/2

OUR TIP

15/2

Form: 123627 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Not the first horse to be reinvigorated by the move to Mick Appleby, winning at Nottingham in June and placed three times since; not at best at Bath last time but capable of bouncing back here under Tom Marquand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(6)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lipsink

9st 8lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Appleby

Resurgent 8yo who has won three of his last five starts including a game success at Catterick (6f, good) last Saturday; only 2lb higher back on AW and he's a big player again in hat-trick bid.

7/4

1st

5

(6)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lipsink

9st 8lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Appleby

Resurgent 8yo who has won three of his last five starts including a game success at Catterick (6f, good) last Saturday; only 2lb higher back on AW and he's a big player again in hat-trick bid.

7/4

1st

10

(9)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

13:55 Catterick

Lipsink

9st 2lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Appleby

August's Sandown win was over 5f but showed he's as effective over 6f when landing a Kempton apprentice event on Wednesday; escapes a penalty and Jack Dace also takes 5lb off so his claims are obvious from a handicapping perspective; yet to win back to back in his 56-race career, though.

7/2

16/1

Form: 416459 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Things didn't go her way over 7f at Newcastle last time but she remains 4lb above the mark she defied over this trip at Leicester in June; others are more obvious.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(11)

17th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

High Violet

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: David Loughnane

Things didn't go her way over 7f at Newcastle last time but she remains 4lb above the mark she defied over this trip at Leicester in June; others are more obvious.

16/1

9th

2

(10)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:10 Newcastle (AW)

High Violet

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David Loughnane

Didn't convince with her stamina in one attempt over this trip in April; had been in good form this summer prior to a blip at Yarmouth latest; others may have greater stamina reserves.

8/1

5th

6

(2)

18th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 5

14:00 Yarmouth

High Violet

9st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Loughnane

Hold-up filly who won at Leicester in July and ran to a similar level when a close fourth at Newmarket last time (despite saddle slipping); one to consider.

4/1

16/1

Form: 642010

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Went close in a 5f Newcastle handicap in June (only AW start) and didn't need to match that form to win a three-runner maiden at Chepstow in August; ran poorly at York last time but this is a slightly easier race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(4)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Ticktyboo

8st 6lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Regressed for Nigel Tinkler last year; having a first run at beyond sprints trips for his new yard, back from seven months off; doesn't make obvious appeal.

33/1

5th

2

(4)

9th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Ticktyboo

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Sole win came in a three-runner maiden at Chepstow (5f, good to soft) last August; best effort this year came over C&D two weeks ago but he enjoyed a clear run while several of those in behind got in each other's way; more needed to win.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.10
Straight Forecast £28.25
Tricast £200.12
Trifecta £289.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Spirit Of Applause

TOPSPEED:

Cliffcake

POSTDATA:

Strong Johnson

The Star:

Fiscal Policy

Telegraph:

Hectic

Daily Record:

Glamorous Express

The Times:

Lipsink

RP RATINGS:

Spirit Of Applause

The Guardian:

Spirit Of Applause

Daily Mirror:

Spirit Of Applause

THE NORTH:

Cliffcake

Daily Mail:

Cliffcake

The Sun:

Cliffcake

D Express:

Strong Johnson