February 22 / 16.25 Southwell (AW)

16.25

Standard

BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £11514.8
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 7051-5 CD

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
2-3 over C&D, on debut when trained by Karl Burke and then after a 160-day break (stable debut) in December; not so good here last time but possible he'll be a different proposition after a seven-week break; still has low mileage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(3)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

17:25 Yarmouth

Federal Envoy

9st 12lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Charlie Clover

All three wins have been over 7f at Southwell (Karl Burke/Iain Jardine); has dropped a long way in the weights and took second on his stable debut at Ripon (6f, good) two weeks ago; steps back up in trip with solid claims.

11/4

2nd

7

(7)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:38 Ripon

Federal Envoy

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Clover

All three wins have been over 7f at Southwell for Karl Burke then Iain Jardine; has dropped to a fair mark after some disappointing runs recently and now makes debut for new yard after changing hands for 7,000gns in April; not sure 6f on turf is ideal.

9/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 447-22 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two handicaps at Lingfield this year (6f and 7f); effective on Tapeta too and William Buick booked; each-way shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(10)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:53 Kempton (AW)

Giorgio M

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mark Loughnane

3-35, with the latest success coming at Lingfield (7f, AW) in December off a mark 8lb higher than today's; never featured over this trip at Wolverhampton 31 days ago and better is needed.

20/1

7th

2

(4)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Giorgio M

9st 8lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Mark Loughnane

Three wins, and most racing, come over 7f, including when making all on his second start for this yard on Polytrack off 6lb higher in the winter; not at his best lately and, while well drawn, may not get his own way as he likes back down in trip.

16/1

7th

6

(7)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 5

20:10 Yarmouth

Giorgio M

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Made all to win a 7f AW handicap at Lingfield in December, his second start for Mark Loughnane; in and out since that success but no doubt he is handicapped to go well and he has run well over C&D in the past (including finishing second in this race year off 4lb higher); one to consider with Billy Loughnane back in the saddle.

8/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 5513-0 C

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Came from off the pace to win a 1m handicap here in December and was a good third off this mark two weeks later; wouldn't judge him too harshly on latest Newcastle effort and he should get a better pace to aim at back at 7f; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

19

(15)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Feel The Need

9st 2lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Michael Herrington

Good C&D record includes a win in this race (good to firm) off 1lb higher last year; good second at Southwell (7f) in January but always behind over C&D four months later; may well have needed that outing but needed to see more to be confident.

14/1

21th

14

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Feel The Need

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael Herrington

Most of his 14 races at York have been over 7f, including wins in this race in 2024 and another last June; absent since second on AW in January and that's the longest break he's had for two years, which asks a question, but he has to be considered off his last winning mark.

16/1

2nd

7

(3)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Feel The Need

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Easy to make a case on last year's peak form but signed off with two quiet runs and now back from three months off; not without hope if the break has done him good; has form here.

14/1

Form: 476-57 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Well treated on his old form but he was ultimately disappointing for Stuart Williams; sold for 7,000gns last month; goes without any accessories on stable debut; betting to guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(12)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Lir Speciale

9st 1lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Ended 2025 with a pair of heavy-ground wins at Doncaster (7f); better form in defeat this year, placed in good C&D handicaps (good ground) in consecutive days last month; has won on fast ground and his connections took this race in 2024; needs serious consideration.

6/1

4th

13

(9)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Lir Speciale

9st 6lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

There's a suspicion he might ideally need slow ground to produce his best form at 7f, especially here, but he began this season in good form (1m/7.5f, good to soft/good) and there was some mitigation when down the field at Newbury on penultimate start (1m, good; denied clear run); went close over C&D (good) on Friday; not ruled out.

10/1

2nd

2

(14)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Lir Speciale

10st 0lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Ended his 2025 campaign with a heavy-ground 7f double at Doncaster; started this season with good thirds at Doncaster (22-runner Spring Mile; good to soft) and Chester (7.6f, good) but needs to bounce back from a lesser effort at Newbury last time; any easing of the ground would be in his favour; connections have tasted recent success in this.

11/1

Form: 9450-8

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won twice in France, including on the AW track at Deauville, but he has found the handicapper in command since joining this yard; ran okay here (1m) two weeks ago on his first run since a gelding operation; type to pop up soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(7)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Golden Pharaoh

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Ended 2025 in good order and he was a good second over 1m here on his return in January; three heavy defeats have followed and there is likely to be other pace for him to contend with today; drops in class but others appeal more.

16/1

8th

9

(3)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Golden Pharaoh

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Has had a couple of close calls over C&D this winter but he's lost his way in last two starts and was tailed off at Newcastle (1m) three weeks ago; has something to prove and he needs a major revival.

25/1

12th

11

(2)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Pharaoh

9st 1lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

Had been in a consistent vein of form but needs to rebound from his disappointing show when favourite at Southwell most recently.

14/1

12/1

Form: 9086-7

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Low-key stable debut at Wolverhampton last month (8.6f), unable to land a blow; dropped 3lb and yard continues in fine form but he has something to prove back at 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

14

(18)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:18 York

Narmar

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jennie Candlish

Ex-Henry de Bromhead; Ffos Las winner for current yard in June last year (1m, good to soft), but has beaten just two horses home in his two runs this term.

50/1

11th

1

(7)

7th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

15:27 Windsor

Narmar

9st 9lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Jennie Candlish

In fine form last summer, scoring at Ffos Las (1m) and signing off with an excellent second over 1m2f here; set a lot to do on his return from eight months off when tenth in 7f Thirsk handicap 19 days ago; should strip sharper now and he's very much one to consider back up in trip.

8/1

10th

10

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:58 Thirsk

Narmar

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jennie Candlish

Did well once cheekpieces were added last summer, winning at Ffos Las (1m, good to soft) and in the frame on four other occasions; can get it wrong at the start and that may be an issue dropping back to 7f.

10/1

Form: 1/10-7

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden and a novice on turf; yet to shine in two handicaps but there is still time for him to do better and the addition of cheekpieces could give him a lift.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

(10)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Golden Strike

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Record of 4-15 overall and 2-5 since wearing visor; campaigned exclusively over shorter but the manner of his half-length success in big field at York (7f, good) last time suggests this new trip is worth exploring; enters calculations in the retained headgear.

5/1

1st

21

(15)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Golden Strike

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Record of 122 over 7f on AW once fitted with a visor; however, despite turf achievements early in career, his return to turf at Doncaster (7f, good to soft; second favourite) in March bore no comparison.

20/1

12th

13

(11)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

14:55 Doncaster

Golden Strike

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Record of 122, all over 7f on AW, since wearing visor; most recently bumped into thriving rival who was on the second leg of a four-timer; dual winner on turf; solid claims in the retained headgear.

11/2

7/1

Form: 9584-1 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Well positioned when winning a 7f handicap at Wolverhampton four weeks ago (second has won since); overcame a wide draw on that occasion but he needs to do so again here and he's up 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(10)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

14:45 Chester

Hes A Gentleman

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Hugo Palmer

Five-time AW winner who was knocking on the door at Wolverhampton (8.6f/7f) in his final two starts in the spring; only 1lb higher than for his last run but this is tougher back up in grade and he's 1-25 on turf; has some work to do from high draw after a break.

16/1

2nd

2

(3)

31st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hes A Gentleman

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Hugo Palmer

One win (C&D) and three second-place finishes in six AW starts since October; front-running second, beaten a nose, over 8.6f here four weeks ago; in the mix again.

7/1

2nd

3

(1)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hes A Gentleman

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Won over C&D in 2023 but better known as a 7f performer now; safely held over that trip here on last two appearances and needs to up his game.

7/1

Form: 64020- C

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
All wins at 6f, four of them here, but he is fully effective over C&D as when just missing out in December; backward step at Lingfield when last seen on New Year's Eve but he's the type to bounce back quickly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(8)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:05 Newbury

Justcallmepete

9st 10lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

C&D winner; five wins since joining Tony Carroll, including turf handicaps in two of his last three starts; should give his running once again but may prove vulnerable for win purposes.

6/1

1st

7

(3)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

15:53 Windsor

Justcallmepete

8st 7lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Nine wins on AW; scored at Bath on penultimate outing but is only 2-23 on turf and latest effort confirms that marks in the 80s are probably beyond him, at least nowadays, in this sphere.

11/2

3rd

1

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:44 Leicester

Justcallmepete

9st 13lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Has a better strike-rate on AW than turf but he's capable of useful 6f form on grass and made short work of his rivals at Bath (extended 5f, good) last week; now 6lb higher but this mark isn't beyond him on past exploits; would have welcomed rain but still considered.

5/1

12/1

Form: 1976-3 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Two 7f wins on the Tapeta track at Newcastle; solid third off 1lb higher here three weeks ago; capable of another prominent showing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(6)

13th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Abruzzo Mia

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

held up in rear

14/1

10th

11

(1)

22nd Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Abruzzo Mia

9st 4lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Dods

Two 7f wins on the Tapeta track at Newcastle; solid third off 1lb higher here three weeks ago; capable of another prominent showing.

12/1

3rd

8

(3)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Abruzzo Mia

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Dods

held up in rear, headway over 1f out, went third inside final furlong, stayed on

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: R252-7 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Losing run stands at 16 and he refused to race at Ayr last September; went desperately close over this trip at Newcastle on his penultimate start but not in the same form over C&D seven weeks ago; others appeal more for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(1)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Judgment Call

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Linda Perratt

Has been kept busy since winning over C&D off a 2lb lower mark in December; went in again at Southwell on Tuesday evening and needs respect.

8/1

1st

4

(2)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Judgment Call

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Linda Perratt

Not the most consistent but still capable on his day, as when winning a 6f handicap at Newcastle in December (2lb higher today); handy draw and no surprise to see him show up well.

14/1

7th

6

(2)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:26 Southwell (AW)

Judgment Call

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Linda Perratt

Sole win from 18 starts on the AW came at Newcastle (6f, AW) in December and bounced back to form when runner-up there ten days ago; makes each-way appeal returned to 7f off a 2lb lower mark (4lb well in).

8/1

25/1

Form: 5/470-

Last run: 280 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
6f maiden winner as a 2yo; well held in three handicaps (6f to 1m) last spring; starts out for new yard (same owner) off a reduced mark but has a nine-month absence to overcome.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(6)

1st Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:30 Nottingham

Power Of Zeus

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Harriet Bethell

4yo who went the wrong way for Brian Ellison and there's been no revival in his two races for new yard; has now finished last on his last four outings; off nearly three months again and tries his first headgear.

33/1

11

(6)

1st Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:30 Nottingham

Power Of Zeus

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Harriet Bethell

4yo who went the wrong way for Brian Ellison and there's been no revival in his two races for new yard; has now finished last on his last four outings; off nearly three months again and tries his first headgear.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £52.50
Straight Forecast £48.97
Tricast £216.89
Trifecta £276.30

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Giorgio M

Daily Mail:

Federal Envoy

SPOTLIGHT:

Feel The Need

Daily Mirror:

Justcallmepete

The Guardian:

Abruzzo Mia

The Times:

Golden Strike

Telegraph:

Narmar

POSTDATA:

Giorgio M

NEWMARKET:

Giorgio M

Daily Record:

Giorgio M

D Express:

Federal Envoy

RP RATINGS:

Feel The Need

The Star:

Justcallmepete

The Sun:

Abruzzo Mia