December 16 / 12.52 Southwell

12.52

Good To Soft

Play At The Races StableDuel Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2450.7
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Play At The Races StableDuel Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam was a French 2m2f Listed hurdle winner and he won an Irish maiden point (3m, soft to heavy) on debut in March; sold for £100,000 later that month and has joined leading trainer for rules career; yard operating at impressive 30% strike-rate in bumpers this season and he's a likely player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

In The Age

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Point/bumper winner; the form of his novice win at Catterick has worked out well (2m3f, good) and he wasn't beaten far on his handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) despite a late mistake; how significant it is that Harry Atkins (aboard for both those runs; can do this weight) switches to Knickerbockerglory remains to be seen; respected nevertheless.

11/4

2nd

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:06 Uttoxeter

In The Age

11st 8lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Point/bumper winner; beat an in-form rival with the pair clear in a 2m3f good-ground novice at Catterick (under Harry Atkins) and might be on a reasonable mark for this first handicap; softer ground won't hinder him.

11/4

9/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 1 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point runner-up (3m, good to yielding) who changed hands for £75,000 and won at 8-1 on his bumper debut at Bangor (2m, soft) in October; carries a penalty against some interesting rivals today and there's a suspicion he'll be vulnerable, but he could have plenty more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

15:22 Doncaster

North Of Richmond

11st 9lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Soft-ground bumper winner who scored on his hurdle debut at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) in October and has shown similar form in defeat on next two starts (1m7f/2m, soft/good to soft); begins handicap life on a fair mark and he's not ruled out.

8/1

4th

1

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

13:05 Newbury

North Of Richmond

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Building up a solid record, latterly switched to hurdles with a win at Fakenham and creditable effort under a penalty at Leicester; should run his race but likely needs progress to defy a penalty.

9/1

4

29th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

13:07 Fakenham

North Of Richmond

11st 4lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Won soft-ground Bangor bumper on rules debut a year ago and probably bettered that performance when close second of 13 under penalty at Southwell (good) last December; can win over hurdles soon but Storming George had stronger bumper form and appeals more.

5/2

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£24,000 yearling; first foal; unraced dam half-sister to two pretty useful winners, from the family of Denman; trainer has a healthy 17% strike-rate in bumpers in past five seasons; no surprise to see a good run on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Kempton

Cool Palmer

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Unraced dam half-sister to useful winners and from the family of Denman; signs of inexperience at Southwell (good to soft; 9-2) but ran a nice race and was close up behind a previous winner.

6/1

3rd

5

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

12:52 Southwell

Cool Palmer

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

£24,000 yearling; first foal; unraced dam half-sister to two pretty useful winners, from the family of Denman; trainer has a healthy 17% strike-rate in bumpers in past five seasons; no surprise to see a good run on debut.

6/1

3rd

5

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

12:52 Southwell

Cool Palmer

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

£24,000 yearling; first foal; unraced dam half-sister to two pretty useful winners, from the family of Denman; trainer has a healthy 17% strike-rate in bumpers in past five seasons; no surprise to see a good run on debut.

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; dam 7f Flat winner (RPR 59), half-sister to two Flat winners out of 1m1f winner; other newcomers make greater appeal on paper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 3

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Cheesy Icon

11st 0lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

Headstrong 5yo who made the frame in his first two bumpers last season (behind Spectacularsunrise on first occasion), but basically ran himself into the ground when well beaten on latest outing in March; may settle better in first-time hood on this hurdling debut and evidently has ability, but others look much less risky.

16/1

4th

2

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 3

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Cheesy Icon

11st 0lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

Headstrong 5yo who made the frame in his first two bumpers last season (behind Spectacularsunrise on first occasion), but basically ran himself into the ground when well beaten on latest outing in March; may settle better in first-time hood on this hurdling debut and evidently has ability, but others look much less risky.

16/1

9th

6

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Warwick

Cheesy Icon

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Flat-bred 5yo who has made the frame in both starts and did fairly well to finish third at Huntingdon latest, having looked headstrong; chance of progress partly depends on whether he settles better.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£34,000 yearling, 120,000euros 3yo; seventh foal; closely related to 2m3f hurdle winner Tango Tara (RPR 121), half-brother to 2m5f-3m2f hurdle/chase winner Rapper (146); has had wind surgery prior to this debut; top trainer is 5-18 (28%) in bumpers this season and he could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:13 Ffos Las

Bebe And Bean

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Similar efforts in bumpers during the winter of 2024-25 for Paul Nicholls, finishing fifth both times; the form has substance; remains in same ownership; interesting on belated reappearance, with improvement possible.

5/1

5th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:58 Kempton

Bebe And Bean

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Had wind surgery prior to running at Southwell where he eventually faded into fifth place, nevertheless showing ability; may see his race out better and show progress with tongue-tie now applied.

4/1

5th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:58 Kempton

Bebe And Bean

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Had wind surgery prior to running at Southwell where he eventually faded into fifth place, nevertheless showing ability; may see his race out better and show progress with tongue-tie now applied.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; half-brother to debut bumper winner Times Are Blue (RPR 103); dam point winner from staying family; trainer is 2-2 in bumpers here this season so he's worth a second look on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:48 Ffos Las

Times Are Green

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Emma Lavelle

Maiden who has failed to complete in two starts since handicapping; otherwise interesting on bits of bumper/hurdles form and this is a drop in class.

14/1

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

16:30 Haydock

Times Are Green

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Just the one good run in his three novice hurdles but that was when 11l second at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) in December; early faller when 18-1 for recent handicap debut at Newbury (3m, good to soft); his stable is in excellent form and he could run well in first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

8

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

16:42 Newbury

Times Are Green

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Emma Lavelle

Best run was an 11l second of eight in a 2m7f novice at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) two starts back; that race didn't have a lot of depth, however; handicap debut.

28/1

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
20,000euros foal; fourth foal; closely related to a point winner; dam point winner, half-sister to dam of Grand National runner-up Pleasant Company; represents in-form trainer and the betting may be informative on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Loch Frisa

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

led, not fluent 2nd, headed 5th, lost second before 6th, weakened quickly from 3 out

10/1

4

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Loch Frisa

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

led, not fluent 2nd, headed 5th, lost second before 6th, weakened quickly from 3 out

10/1

3

26th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:15 Market Rasen

Loch Frisa

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Showed some ability in his only bumper and at Ludlow (3m, good to soft; 20-1) in his second maiden hurdle; this drop back in trip might help and he's a likely player.

5/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; dam Listed bumper and useful hurdle/chase winner for the yard in these colours; trainer won this in 2021; interesting newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

19th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:50 Lingfield

Jack The Nipper

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Showed promise in his second hurdle start, at Sandown last February, but he's been pulled up in both handicap chases (2m4f and 3m) this winter; shaky claims for now.

10/1

5th

2

3rd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:12 Southwell

Jack The Nipper

11st 5lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Thrice-raced 6yo; showed improvement (fourth over 2m) at Sandown most recently and is bred to do better still, being the first foal of a multiple winner for his connections; interesting.

6/1

4th

2

13th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 3

15:40 Sandown

Jack The Nipper

11st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

His dam was useful and it's very early days, but he was soundly beaten in his sole bumper (good to soft) and it was the same story on last month's hurdle debut at Leicester (1m7f, heavy); lots of improvement needed.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ninth foal; half-brother to three winners including Father John (bumper/2m4f hurdle; RPR 118) and Halifax (2m7f/3m hurdle; 117); makes debut in what could be a warm race and he may be best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:33 Stratford

Kampari

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

Seemed well suited by the longer trip when gaining a breakthrough success in 3m2f Warwick handicap hurdle 24 days ago; not taken lightly despite a 2lb weights rise.

7/2

1st

4

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:58 Warwick

Kampari

11st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

He's raced eight times and has never come close to posing a serious threat; well beaten at 33-1 on recent handicap debut at Sedgefield (2m4f, good).

9/1

7th

9

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:10 Sedgefield

Kampari

10st 9lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

He's shown little across his seven starts but makes his handicap debut off a very lowly mark and his trainer's last two runners have won, so he's worth a second look.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; from a family that has done very well for Pam Sly, with dam a useful 2m-3m1f hurdle/chase winner (also showed promise in bumpers); takes on males on debut but she's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

16:00 Fakenham

Apieceovfortune

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Has won two of her four handicaps and responded well for pressure to collect over C&D last month (good to soft); off only 2lb higher her claims are crystal clear, provided she's okay on soft.

7/2

1st

5

18th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

13:00 Fakenham

Apieceovfortune

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Only her second run in handicaps when collecting at Southwell (3m) but Catterick was a bit disappointing; could bounce back.

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
35,000euros 3yo, £25,000 4yo; fourth foal; half-sister to bumper and 2m3f/2m4f hurdle winner Mega Yeats (RPR 131); unraced dam from talented family; takes on males on debut; may be one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

16:05 Wetherby

Nanny Daisy

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Mark Walford

Brian Hughes rides but there aren't many other positives to draw on; well behind Top Flight Century when tried in a tongue-tie last time.

33/1

9

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

16:05 Wetherby

Nanny Daisy

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Mark Walford

Brian Hughes rides but there aren't many other positives to draw on; well behind Top Flight Century when tried in a tongue-tie last time.

33/1

9th

12

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 218y

Class 5

15:42 Carlisle

Nanny Daisy

10st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Nothing more than minor promise among her qualifying races and beaten about 17l when ninth of 15 at 50-1 on last month's handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good); the first-time tongue-tie needs to make a difference.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
His dam was a multiple point winner and he displayed some ability when 11l third of five at 25-1 on debut at Stratford (2m, soft) in October; however, he needs a sizeable step forward today; a tongue-tie goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

11th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:30 Uttoxeter

Bertie The Rebel

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jo Davis

Pulled up when 100-1 for hurdling debut in January but the ground was heavy that day and he fared much better when fifth of ten here (2m, good) in July; now needs to take another big step forward over today's much longer trip.

20/1

1

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:02 Uttoxeter

Bertie The Rebel

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jo Davis

Didn't achieve much when third in his first bumper and forgettable since, latterly on hurdling debut (100-1).

100/1

Form: 6

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nibbled into 9-1 and beaten only about 5l when last of six on debut at Ascot (good) last month; has potential but that race developed into a sprint and they finished in a heap, so the value of the form is questionable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

17:10 Market Rasen

Santorini Grey

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Barry Brennan

Probably flattered to finish so close on Ascot debut as they went no pace; then went off 33-1 at Southwell and finished tailed off; new trainer.

20/1

3

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

17:10 Market Rasen

Santorini Grey

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Barry Brennan

Probably flattered to finish so close on Ascot debut as they went no pace; then went off 33-1 at Southwell and finished tailed off; new trainer.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.40
Straight Forecast £19.60
Trifecta £76.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

In The Age

WEST COUNTRY:

Cool Palmer

The Sun:

Bebe And Bean

D Express:

Apieceovfortune

POSTDATA:

Santorini Grey

TOPSPEED:

North Of Richmond

The Star:

Cool Palmer

The Times:

In The Age

Telegraph:

In The Age

The Guardian:

In The Age

Daily Mail:

In The Age

Daily Mirror:

In The Age

Daily Record:

In The Age