December 19 / 11.00 Southwell (AW)

11.00

Standard

Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £2983.38
  • 0m 6f 16y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Nursery Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 5897

Last run: 84 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Four runs for George Scott over 5f, unable to build on his debut promise; was keeping on steadily here on his nursery debut 12 weeks ago (tried in a hood), however, and he's interesting starting out for his new stable after a 1,500gns purchase in October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(3)

15th Jul 2026

Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

14:31 Bath

Early Release

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: David Evans

His form has been up and down this year but he won at Kempton (6f, AW) in March and was back to his best when making all over this C&D (firm) in May; key player if at the top of his game after a 50-day break.

4/1

1st

3

(2)

26th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

15:30 Bath

Early Release

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

His last two wins have come when making all in Class 6 handicaps at Kempton over 6f; yet to win on turf but he has gone well on fast ground in the past; Rossa Ryan booked and he should give it a good go from the front.

7/1

33/1

  • Place: £6.90

Form: 904088

Last run: 94 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Failed to progress for Alice Haynes, beating just one home in three nursery runs in August/September; gelded since; enough to prove starting out for a new stable (same owner).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(8)

25th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ballsgrove Boy

9st 4lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Martin Dunne

Just 1lb higher than when winning over C&D in July but well held in five starts since, including two back here; needs a resurgence.

16/1

7th

4

(1)

11th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

18:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ballsgrove Boy

9st 8lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Martin Dunne

In good form earlier this year, with 6f wins at Kempton and on this track (beat Master Dandy) in July but little since, including over C&D; reunited with Jack Doughty (won on him at Kempton) but turnaround a must.

12/1

5

(8)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:10 Kempton (AW)

Ballsgrove Boy

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Martin Dunne

Dual AW winner, including C&D in May, but he's not threatened in three starts since winning at Wolverhampton (Tapeta) in July; did run on from the rear when fifth of 12 at the latter track (also 6f) on Saturday, though; can take a big grip but not discounted.

6/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 008

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
He hasn't seen his races out in novice company, but has offered hope of better and this is a marked drop in class; has been gelded and also has cheekpieces fitted for the first time; potential improver.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(12)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Grey Operations

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

prominent, challenging over 1f out, carried right inside final furlong, kept on but no match for winner

9/2

2nd

5

(12)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Grey Operations

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

prominent, challenging over 1f out, carried right inside final furlong, kept on but no match for winner

9/2

2nd

2

(4)

4th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

19:05 Southwell (AW)

Grey Operations

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Improved form (finished third) over C&D last month when making handicap debut and fitted with cheekpieces (now wears blinkers); could well build on that effort; highly respected off same mark.

7/2

12/1

Form: 08870

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Attracted support but didn't get home over 1m here on his nursery debut in October; couldn't go the pace dropped to 5f at Lingfield last time; edging down the weights but opposable for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(7)

14th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:14 Leicester

Risk

9st 0lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Maiden whose form (Flat/hurdles) has gone pear-shaped since a consistent AW spell; turf record remains unconvincing.

20/1

7

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

16:45 Fontwell

Risk

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Tom Dascombe

Inferior to some of these on the Flat as an 11-race maiden and was 33-1 when departing early on hurdling debut at Stratford.

40/1

4

13th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:52 Stratford

Risk

11st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Tom Dascombe

0-11 on the Flat; seemed to respond well to first-time visor when close third at Lingfield (7f, AW; RPR 63) in March but two disappointing runs have followed and stamina is a possible issue on this hurdling debut.

25/1

Form: 5640

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Whiff of promise for former yard but she was easy to back and never featured on October's stable/nursery debut (5f, visored for the first time); now goes without headgear and not a solid option.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(7)

11th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

15:10 Newcastle (AW)

Almasi

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

dwelt start, hampered start, took keen hold, soon prominent, weakened over 1f out

14/1

8th

6

(7)

11th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

15:10 Newcastle (AW)

Almasi

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Showed some promise in three starts for the Newland/Insole stable as a 2yo and on her second outing for this yard, but she finished around 8l behind Sweet Cicely when beating one home at Wolverhampton (7f, Tapeta) last time; needs more.

14/1

Form: 05637

Last run: 97 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Third of six in a Chester nursery (7f, good to soft) on her final run for Andrew Balding; absent since a heavy defeat on her stable debut in September (pulled hard over 7f); improvement needed to win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(3)

11th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

17:15 Yarmouth

Camden Flyer

8st 12lb

J: William Carson

T: Michael Attwater

0-10 and she hasn't been able to match a respectable third at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in January, latterly when weakening over that trip at Leicester (good to soft) a fortnight ago; might do better for that first start in 103 days and should stay this trip on pedigree.

16/1

9th

9

(4)

27th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Leicester

Camden Flyer

9st 5lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Attwater

0-9 and beat only one home in 7f Chelmsford handicap in February; needs plenty more returning after a break.

20/1

9th

9

(4)

27th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Leicester

Camden Flyer

9st 5lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Michael Attwater

0-9 and beat only one home in 7f Chelmsford handicap in February; needs plenty more returning after a break.

20/1

Form: 783

Last run: 194 days

W: 9st 8lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on her first two starts but offered a bit more when third of nine, albeit beaten 6l, at Chepstow in June (5f, good to firm); opening mark not an obvious gift, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(8)

20th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Go Steelers Go

9st 6lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David Loughnane

in rear

25/1

5th

4

(8)

20th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Go Steelers Go

9st 6lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David Loughnane

in rear

25/1

10th

10

(4)

11th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Go Steelers Go

9st 3lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Loughnane

Beaten 6l when seventh of 11 on last month's handicap debut at Southwell (6f, Tapeta), but she was returning from a break and was an encouraging third at Chepstow (5f) last June; hood goes on; not a forlorn hope.

12/1

Form: 67973

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Pick of his five runs for George Scott came when third of 12 on his nursery debut here eight weeks ago (7f), keeping on at the finish; the pair who beat him have advertised the form since and he retains potential; sold for 21,000gns in October; likely he'll need a good pace back at 6f but he's one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

18:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ignition

9st 9lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Thomas Faulkner

19-race maiden who is usually seen over further; struggled on turf last time but he'll be happier back on AW; tongue tied for the first time but not a solid option.

12/1

10th

9

(1)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

14:20 Chepstow

Ignition

10st 3lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Thomas Faulkner

Maiden who's often been turned over at short prices and generally been kept to the AW (achieved little in three runs on turf); others make more appeal.

10/1

9th

11

(3)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ignition

9st 1lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Thomas Faulkner

No wins in 17 but after racing over further he hit the frame over C&D 11 days ago; could nick a race sooner or later off this low a mark.

14/1

2/1

Form: 790471

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the sixth attempt when coming from off the pace to win a Wolverhampton nursery four weeks ago (5f; well backed); 2lb higher but should be just as effective, if not more so, at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(6)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Causin A Commotion

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Noel Wilson

5f and 6f Tapeta winner who's been placed over C&D; in poor form in all five starts for his current trainer; much more needed.

50/1

5th

2

(4)

27th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Causin A Commotion

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Noel Wilson

Two course wins (5f/6f) for Kevin Ryan last winter but has struggled in four runs for current stable.

20/1

Form: 95085

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Blinkers were added for his latest effort and he ran creditably for fifth in a Newcastle nursery (6f), unable to show his hand having met some trouble in running; still has potential as a sprinter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

(1)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:35 Southwell (AW)

Black Sky

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Unplaced in all nine Flat races and was pulled up on hurdling debut at Cartmel only recently when tried in a tongue-tie; cheekpieces now added.

25/1

2

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

14:20 Cartmel

Black Sky

10st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Unplaced in all nine Flat races and now has a basement handicap mark; tongue tied for this change of codes.

50/1

5th

7

(5)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

19:20 Pontefract

Black Sky

8st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Unplaced in all eight starts (6f-1m) and his promising fifth at Newcastle (6f; November) hasn't been built on in three runs since; enough to prove back at a mile.

12/1

Form: 068

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Made some late headway at Beverley on his second start (5f, good) but didn't get home upped to 7f at Musselburgh six weeks ago; goes handicapping at a modest level and this trip could be ideal; check betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(1)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Sole Spirit

9st 5lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Bryan Smart

Returned from 190 days off to win a Doncaster handicap in June and he followed up at Thirsk last month (both 6f, good to firm); came up short in his hat-trick bid at Carlisle three weeks ago, a race where he dropped away quickly in the final furlong; finished lame there so that run perhaps not the one to judge him on; still not fully exposed.

4/1

4

(7)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

14:40 Carlisle

Sole Spirit

9st 4lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Bryan Smart

Unexposed gelding who won at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) on his seasonal debut in June and followed up in similar conditions at Thirsk 12 days ago; up another 7lb but he beat a clear second last time and is open to more progress; big player for yard that has won this race three times since 2016, including last year.

13/8

5

(6)

8th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Thirsk

Sole Spirit

9st 4lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Bryan Smart

Unexposed 3yo who returned from 190 days off to win a Doncaster handicap six weeks ago (6f, good to firm); 3lb rise is not excessive and the best could still be to come from him.

5/2

Non-runners

Rumba Bay

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £161.80
Straight Forecast £139.99
Tricast £427.50
Trifecta £777.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Ignition

POSTDATA:

Causin A Commotion

Daily Mail:

Grey Operations

Telegraph:

Sole Spirit

SPOTLIGHT:

Early Release

The Sun:

Ignition

Daily Record:

Ignition

The Times:

Causin A Commotion

The Guardian:

Causin A Commotion

Daily Mirror:

Grey Operations

The Star:

Grey Operations

D Express:

Sole Spirit