December 16 / 12.22 Southwell

12.22

Good To Soft

Southwell Golf Club Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6178.77
  • 2m 4f 88y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Southwell Golf Club Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: /5412-

Last run: 329 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won at Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft) last December and good second at Warwick (2m4f, soft) in January, despite being reluctant to race; has since left Tim Vaughan (remains in same ownership); returns from absence but with new yard among the winners and he could go well; a hood goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

17

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Margarets Legacy

10st 5lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Posted two chase wins in UK in the last two years but hasn't been at his best on last three starts; all hurdle runs came in France, with two wins in 2020; others make more appeal.

40/1

12th

21

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Margarets Legacy

10st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Won last winter on first two starts for yard (2m4f, good to soft/soft) and looked set for another progressive season when second at Bangor (2m4f, soft) on reappearance; however, two underwhelming runs have followed.

66/1

6th

4

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 3

16:05 Windsor

Margarets Legacy

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Won two in a row last winter (2m4f, good to soft/soft) and reappeared with good second at Bangor (2m4f, soft) in November; underwhelming at Antree (2m4f, soft) since but he's better than that and it will be no surprise if he rediscovers his progressive ways this afternoon.

9/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 200-23 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
French hurdle winner (2m2f, heavy) who is 0-10 in Britain but this 5yo ran some good races over hurdles last season and showed signs of promise at Ascot (2m3f, good) last month on his first two chase starts; would have gone closer last time if he'd jumped with greater fluency late on; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Bad

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Useful handicap chaser at up to 2m5f, albeit quirky and having saved his winning in this sphere for Kempton; admittedly right up to best in Ascot contest on penultimate start; last two efforts suggest this new trip is worth exploring but he comes with some risk, especially in such a competitive field.

20/1

3rd

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Bad

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Has his quirks but talented and his win in this last year was the first of three victories at this track (2m2f-2m4f); he's close to a career-high mark, off which he went close last month at Ascot (2m5f, soft) despite looking disinterested early doors; a danger to all.

9/4

2nd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Bad

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Wasn't going from some way out when favourite behind Etalon here last time but he'd previously won comfortably at Kempton (2m2f, good) and run creditably in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) where the hill proved too much; still relatively young; 5lb better off with Etalon and could turn the tables.

5/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 3511-5 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on final two starts last season; reappeared with fair fifth of 14 at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) and could show the benefit of that outing with a bold bid today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Eaton Collina

11st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

headed after 3rd, led, not fluent 4th, soon lost ground, in rear when weakened after 10th

8/1

11

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Eaton Collina

11st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

headed after 3rd, led, not fluent 4th, soon lost ground, in rear when weakened after 10th

8/1

5th

5

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

14:05 Haydock

Eaton Collina

11st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

Completed a Wetherby double (2m3f, soft) last February and he's back down to his last winning mark; hasn't hit the same heights this season but ran okay when third at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) last month and he now contests his first veterans' chase; could be involved.

7/2

Form: 212-41 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Consistent last season, posting a win at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in March, and he improved for his reappearance run to make all at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) last month; not ruled out up 6lb but he has a very strong record at Huntingdon and needs to be just as good, if not better, today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:45 Huntingdon

William Cody

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Gained three of four chase wins over C&D and returns here after going close on final two starts last season (2m4f/2m3f; wore cheekpieces last time); holds no secrets from the handicapper but will be fine on the forecast good ground and has obvious claims.

5/2

2nd

4

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

William Cody

11st 9lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

He's run well to be second on two of his last three starts (2m3f/2m4f, good/soft), most recently at Southwell four weeks ago; he's 4lb higher than last time but was clear with a progressive winner; high on the list.

3/1

2nd

5

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

14:55 Southwell

William Cody

11st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Third in this last year; four-time chase winner (all at about this trip) but hasn't scored since November 2024; close second at Catterick (2m3f, good) on penultimate start but lesser efforts either side of that; remains below his last winning mark and holds each-way claims again.

4/1

Form: 6/14-6

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who won a maiden hurdle at Cork in July 2023; however, following a long absence he was well beaten at 80-1 in a handicap hurdle at Doncaster 16 days ago on his second stable start; now makes his chase debut and others have less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:12 Uttoxeter

Kayce Dutton

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Both wins over fences have been at Market Rasen (2m5f/3m); struggles with his consistency but if on a going day in first-time blinkers then he's not handicapped out of it.

8/1

2nd

1

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Kayce Dutton

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Two Market Rasen chase wins since last May but pulled up there in February and well-held fifth of six over 3m here since, taking his Southwell record to 0-7.

13/2

Form: 3212-U D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 2lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
13yo who showed strong form in hunter chases earlier this year, finishing second in the Aintree Foxhunters' (2m5f, heavy) in April; also effective on good to soft ground; not necessarily handicapped out of things but he was under pressure when unseating six out at Warwick last month on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Bennys King

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Inconsistency has crept into this 14yo's game but confidence should be buoyed by his win at Leicester in February and he loves it around here, having finished second in the last two editions of this race; probably vulnerable for win purposes but has place aspirations for sure; races prominently.

14/1

11th

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Bennys King

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Inconsistency has crept into this 14yo's game but confidence should be buoyed by his win at Leicester in February and he loves it around here, having finished second in the last two editions of this race; probably vulnerable for win purposes but has place aspirations for sure; races prominently.

14/1

1st

2

25th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:45 Leicester

Bennys King

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

14yo who is no longer the force of old and has become unreliable; that said, he won this race on heavy ground a year ago and proved he retains significant ability when keeping on gamely for second in refitted cheekpieces at Warwick (3m, good to soft) last month.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1342F- D BF

Last run: 282 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent last season and soft/heavy ground may be preferable (good to soft going is expected); however, he's on a competitive mark on his best 2m form last term and should be fine now back up in trip; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

28th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 3

15:28 Ffos Las

Real Stone

11st 13lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Has a rather mixed record over last couple of years but reportedly benefited from positive front-running ride when causing 33-1 surprise at Wetherby in February and is only 2lb higher here; a possible if ready to roll after five-month break.

8/1

4

28th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 3

15:28 Ffos Las

Real Stone

11st 13lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Has a rather mixed record over last couple of years but reportedly benefited from positive front-running ride when causing 33-1 surprise at Wetherby in February and is only 2lb higher here; a possible if ready to roll after five-month break.

8/1

9

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

14:05 Fontwell

Real Stone

11st 1lb

T: Dan Skelton

Form: 2312-4

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Some good form in the spring for Lucinda Russell prior to below-par effort when last seen; makes stable debut having had wind surgery and in a first-time tongue-tie (remains in same ownership); could be capable off current mark but this headstrong sort has stamina to prove now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Salamanca Bay

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: L J Morgan

Free-goer who was useful in his prime and was in front before last-fence fall over C&D (good) on last month's stable debut; subsequent 2lb rise is manageable and, providing his confidence has not been affected, he's an obvious contender.

11/8

3

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:22 Perth

Salamanca Bay

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

Back in better form the last twice, then sold for £7,000; gained his sole chase win off 7lb higher and can't be dismissed on debut for another new yard (his fifth).

5/1

2nd

5

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Salamanca Bay

11st 7lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Should be well handicapped and he ran well for a long way when a 4l third behind Jet Of Dreams at Chepstow (2m, good); perhaps went off a bit too hot that day and has to be of interest.

15/2

Form: 445-92 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
0-6 during his last campaign but he dropped down the weights and returned with encouraging second to a handicap blot at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft); could build on that latest run and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:30 Wetherby

No Risk Des Flos

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear, not fluent 5 out, brief headway 4 out, soon no impression

11/4

5th

5

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:30 Wetherby

No Risk Des Flos

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear, not fluent 5 out, brief headway 4 out, soon no impression

11/4

4

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 3

12:22 Southwell

No Risk Des Flos

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-6 during his last campaign but he dropped down the weights and returned with encouraging second to a handicap blot at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft); could build on that latest run and he's one to consider.

7/2

Form: /2446-

Last run: 345 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Point and bumper winner who also showed promise in maiden hurdles for Gordon Elliott; it's possible he'll be suited by the switch to fences on today's handicap and stable debut, but he's been absent since January and no chances have been taken with his mark; may be best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 3

12:22 Southwell

Zaidi

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

Point and bumper winner who also showed promise in maiden hurdles for Gordon Elliott; it's possible he'll be suited by the switch to fences on today's handicap and stable debut, but he's been absent since January and no chances have been taken with his mark; may be best watched.

20/1

7

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 3

12:22 Southwell

Zaidi

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

Point and bumper winner who also showed promise in maiden hurdles for Gordon Elliott; it's possible he'll be suited by the switch to fences on today's handicap and stable debut, but he's been absent since January and no chances have been taken with his mark; may be best watched.

20/1

6th

10

6th Jan 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

13:22 Cork

Zaidi

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Point and bumper winner; has gone close in a couple of maiden hurdles over 2m4f; sets the standard on form but he didn't seem to appreciate the step up to this sort of trip at Fairyhouse three weeks ago so has stamina to prove.

2/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.90
Straight Forecast £12.09
Tricast £65.83
Trifecta £47.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

No Risk Des Flos

TOPSPEED:

Margaret's Legacy

WEST COUNTRY:

Bad

SPOTLIGHT:

Eaton Collina

Telegraph:

William Cody

D Express:

Bad

LAMBOURN:

Margaret's Legacy

The Guardian:

Margaret's Legacy

POSTDATA:

No Risk Des Flos

The Times:

No Risk Des Flos

Daily Mail:

No Risk Des Flos

Daily Mirror:

No Risk Des Flos

The Sun:

No Risk Des Flos

Daily Record:

No Risk Des Flos

The Star:

Eaton Collina