January 17 / 17.00 Southwell (AW)

17.00

Standard

£30 In Free Bets With BetUK Handicap (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 1m 4f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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£30 In Free Bets With BetUK Handicap (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 22792- C

Last run: 152 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Has raced six times and has run really well on all three visits here, finishing second of 13 over C&D last August; has to prove his fitness after five months off but his form looks good (the third-placed horse behind him in August won next time) and he could have more to offer; watch the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(5)

22nd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

19:00 Thirsk

Path To Dubai

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

towards rear, some headway then switched right 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong

6/1

4th

2

(5)

22nd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

19:00 Thirsk

Path To Dubai

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

towards rear

6/1

8th

9

(5)

22nd Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

15:50 Southwell (AW)

Path To Dubai

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

Low-mileage 4yo; just edged out by Plage De Havre on his C&D reappearance but promoted to first after suffering interference; that rival bolted up at Newcastle next time so a short-priced defeat for this one at Wolverhampton (1m6f) 11 days ago probably shouldn't be taken to suggest that the handicapper has got him.

5/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 6/22-

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
4yo who has shown promise on all three starts, finishing second in two AW novices towards the end of last year (9.6f/1m2f, including on Tapeta); the extra yardage could be a positive on today's handicap debut; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(11)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Plage De Havre

9st 11lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

10lb higher than when winning this race at its usual home Haydock (good) last July in great style; that was his final race last season but he put up a bold show when third to Klassleader at York this May; non-runner at Royal Ascot where the good to firm ground was deemed unsuitable (third of 12 on it at York last May); big shout if today's ground is okay.

13/2

3rd

1

(9)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Plage De Havre

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Third in this race last year off 11lb lower; competitive almost every time last season, ending on a major high with 4l win at Haydock (1m4f, good) in July; however, there have been a couple of blips and last month's poor show in Listed race at Kempton was one of those; needs to bounce back.

7/1

11/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 3841-6

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Below par here (1m3f) a fortnight ago but he made the running at a steady pace, which may not have suited; he won at Newcastle (1m2f, Tapeta) last month and is just 2lb higher today; stays 1m4f and is not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(3)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f, over which he delivered a telling late challenge on the other Newmarket track in May; while that looked encouraging for longer trips, his one attempt at 1m6f (on soft last July) and two at 2m (last two Northumberland Plates) saw him well beaten; that's not conclusive proof that he won't stay 1m6f but it leaves his stamina unproven.

33/1

12th

11

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Dylan Cunha

Three wins at this track but he came 13th in this race last year; that was his only appearance over this long a trip and he was also below form when he had a crack at 1m6f, so he's unproven beyond 1m4f, over which he's contested his last nine starts; stamina is the big doubt.

16/1

4th

7

(12)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Asgards Captain

8st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Track regular who finished third in this race (good to soft) in 2024 and stayed on from the rear to be fourth in last year's edition; also won last season's Great Metropolitan over C&D (good) and got back in the winning groove when taking Newmarket handicap three weeks ago; latter success puts him on a career-high mark but he's unlikely to be far away.

11/1

Form: 22211- C

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Runner-up three times in a row before winning here (1m6f) last month and followed up at Newcastle (12.4f) two days later; has shot up the weights but both wins came in fine style; he could play another leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:30 Carlisle

Swinging London

9st 4lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: John Mackie

Five wins on AW, including at Southwell (1m6f) last time; may remain competitive but looks by no means guaranteed to follow up, being 0-15 in Flat turf events; just 1-20 over hurdles.

6/1

1st

3

(2)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Swinging London

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: John Mackie

Dual C&D winner; beaten 2l when fourth of six here last month and he was unfortunate not to go even closer when fourth of 12 at Pontefract (1m4f, good to soft; short of room late on) 16 days ago; switches back to the AW with a good chance.

7/4

4th

3

(7)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

16:27 Pontefract

Swinging London

9st 7lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: John Mackie

Returned to the Flat with respectable fourth of six at Southwell (1m4f, AW) last month but is still 3lb higher than for narrow AW win last autumn, and his Flat turf strike-rate is 0-14.

10/1

Form: 38931- D

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Returned to form with close third over C&D in November and won at Newcastle (12.4f) last time; he's up 5lb for that narrow victory but remains well handicapped on his old form and is entitled to respect.
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

10/1

Form: 56644- CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Completed a four-timer early last year, with two of those wins here; returned from a break (gelded in interim) with creditable fourth to Wiltshire Wonder over C&D four weeks ago and could improve for that run; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Dunstan

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Paul Attwater

dwelt start, never better than midfield

10/1

6th

5

(6)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Dunstan

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Paul Attwater

dwelt start, never better than midfield

10/1

4th

4

(7)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

13:42 Southwell (AW)

Dunstan

9st 9lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Paul Attwater

Won four in a row on Tapeta for Barry Brennan in early part of this year (two at this track); has run with credit on turf since for Tom Dascombe in June/July and his current trainer; returns to AW following a break and has been gelded; any market move should be noted.

10/1

7/2

Form: 51491- CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Easily made all over C&D three weeks ago when upped in trip on her second handicap start; 6lb higher in a deeper field today but this lightly raced 4yo is in top hands and could still be ahead of the handicapper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

17:08 Southwell (AW)

Alpine Oasis

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Butler

Course scorer but she came in a never-dangerous seventh of 12 on her yard debut in 7f handicap here 18 days ago; more is required with cheekpieces removed today.

20/1

7th

4

(4)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:58 Southwell (AW)

Alpine Oasis

9st 8lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Butler

Two wins when trained by Karl Burke (1m/1m4f); posted her best effort for Darryll Holland when fourth of seven (beaten 1l) here over 1m3f last month but she was well beaten at Kempton (1m3f, AW) in first-time cheekpieces (retained) 16 days ago; drops down markedly in trip for her stable debut.

18/1

10th

5

(8)

4th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

15:45 Kempton (AW)

Alpine Oasis

9st 8lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Darryll Holland

Dual Tapeta winner (1m/1m4f), who gave it a good shot when a close fourth at Southwell (1m3f) four weeks ago; usually races prominently and has possibilities if she can find something extra with cheekpieces added.

12/1

11/1

Form: 8308-3

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Having dropped down the weights he returned to form with a good third at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) a fortnight ago; might not be far away if on another going day, but he hasn't shone on three previous Tapeta starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(5)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 4

18:55 Goodwood

Gallant Lion

8st 12lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Struggled over 1m at Southwell last month but relished the step back up in trip when winning at Brighton (1m4f, good to firm) three weeks ago; still fairly treated on his old form off this 3lb higher mark and has claims.

100/30

1st

7

(8)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

15:20 Brighton

Gallant Lion

9st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Ian Williams

1m2f win here (good to firm) kicked off a four-timer in 2023 for Tony Carroll but he took a while to rediscover his level before scoring at Chepstow (1m4f, good; first-time blinkers) for this yard one year ago; raced mainly over further without success since and latest start over 1m can be written off; handy mark and he's not discounted on just his second visit to Brighton.

9/1

11th

5

(1)

7th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Gallant Lion

9st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Beaten 11l when fifth in a maiden hurdle at Hereford three weeks ago; only 1lb higher than for his win at Chepstow (1m4f, good) last May but will likely find this trip on the sharp side on his switch back to the Flat (all wins over 1m2f or further).

14/1

Form: 44161- CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won on handicap debut over C&D in October and bounced back from lesser run at Kempton to win over this C&D four weeks ago; he was game last time and this unexposed 5yo is just 2lb higher today; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(6)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:12 Chester

Wiltshire Wonder

9st 4lb

J: Robbie Downey

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Won two 1m4f handicaps at Southwell in late 2024 but he didn't match that form in three starts last year and left Archie Watson for 5,000gns in October; yard (also runs Shipshape) won this with a 33-1 shot last year and this one is likely to be a similar price.

33/1

8

(10)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Wiltshire Wonder

9st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Dual 1m4f winner here who ran poorly when last seen eight months ago (was withdrawn a week later, when found to be coughing, which may have had something to do with it); interesting to see how he goes in the market.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: /0376/

Last run: 1224 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Beaten off a modest mark in a handicap hurdle at Leicester in November when back from an absence of just over two years; this 9yo needs to prove how much ability he retains but he's well treated on his old Flat form and is not written off for his top jumps trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(1)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell (AW)

King Ottokar

10st 2lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Nicky Henderson

midfield, dropped to rear and struggling from over 2f out

20/1

10th

1

(1)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell (AW)

King Ottokar

10st 2lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Nicky Henderson

midfield, dropped to rear and struggling from over 2f out

20/1

7th

11

18th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

15:40 Leicester

King Ottokar

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

midfield

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.50
Straight Forecast £18.00
Tricast £118.83
Trifecta £158.70

Selections

Daily Mail:

Plage De Havre

RP RATINGS:

Path To Dubai

TOPSPEED:

Gallant Lion

SPOTLIGHT:

Alpine Oasis

Telegraph:

Dunstan

POSTDATA:

Swinging London

Daily Mirror:

King Ottokar

NEWMARKET:

Path To Dubai

D Express:

Path To Dubai

The Sun:

Plage De Havre

The Star:

Plage De Havre

Daily Record:

Plage De Havre

The Times:

Gallant Lion

The Guardian:

Gallant Lion