May 20 / 17.25 Southwell

17.25

Good

Golf And Gallop Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 3m 0f 60y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Golf And Gallop Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £2.20

Form: U55P-5

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Bettered poor reappearance run when fifth of eight at Huntingdon (3m1f, good) this month and is now only 1lb higher than when causing 20-1 surprise at Worcester (2m7f, good) last summer; may well be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

7th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

Indian Sunbird

11st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Dual hurdle winner last year, latterly over C&D (good) in October; absent since lesser effort here in November, though, and will need to resume in prime form to have a chance off his current mark.

5/1

5th

10

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Indian Sunbird

11st 9lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Well backed when returning to winning form over C&D (good) last month with three of these behind; a 6lb rise and a lack of consistency the main obstacles to a follow-up.

8/1

5th

10

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Indian Sunbird

11st 9lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Well backed when returning to winning form over C&D (good) last month with three of these behind; a 6lb rise and a lack of consistency the main obstacles to a follow-up.

8/1

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 48058-

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Good-ground chase winner for Sandy Thomson at start of last season; out of form over hurdles for him when last seen in February/March and has since changed hands for £9,500; back up in trip with headgear removed for this stable debut; new trainer usually does well with new recruits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

11th Sep 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:35 Uttoxeter

Leading Force

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

C&D winner in May on his second start for James Owen and was holding his form until heavy defeats in his final two races; now on a recovery mission.

8/1

3rd

2

29th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:18 Fontwell

Leading Force

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Scored at Uttoxeter (3m, good) in May, his second start for James Owen, and ran big race when clear second to thriving opponent at Cartmel (3m1f, soft) in June; needs to bounce back from last month's duff effort at Market Rasen but still features prominently in calculations.

4/1

7

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:00 Market Rasen

Leading Force

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: James Owen

Looked a hard ride when second at Bangor (3m, good) but travelled sweeter with the blinkers back on at Cartmel (3m1f, soft) and just missed out; nudged up another 3lb but has to be respected.

8/1

5/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: P539-2

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
1-19 over hurdles; stuck to his task pretty well when second at Huntingdon (3m1f, good) this month, after a break, and has obvious each-way claims if in similar form here but his overall profile is not appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

18

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Foxs Socks

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Made the frame a few times after returning in May including over C&D, but last two efforts have been poor and he is just 1-34; makes little appeal.

66/1

13th

18

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Foxs Socks

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Made the frame a few times after returning in May including over C&D, but last two efforts have been poor and he is just 1-34; makes little appeal.

66/1

13th

18

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Foxs Socks

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Made the frame a few times after returning in May including over C&D, but last two efforts have been poor and he is just 1-34; makes little appeal.

66/1

Form: 5U6-

Last run: 170 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 5yo who showed minor promise over 2m on rules debut in November; unseated rider in Cheltenham Grade 2 on next outing and struggled on heavy ground last time but moves up in trip for this handicap debut and remains an unknown quantity; hood added; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Grandads Cap

10st 13lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: L J Morgan

Low-mileage 6yo scored easily on just his second run over fences at Market Rasen (3m) in February but he proved a big letdown under a 7lb penalty at Leicester (2m4f) 11 days later; possibly found that run coming too quickly so shouldn't be written off.

6/1

5th

1

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

13:30 Leicester

Grandads Cap

12st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: L J Morgan

Lightly raced 6yo, who made it second time lucky over fences with an easy win in a Market Rasen handicap (3m, soft) 11 days ago; 3lb well in under a penalty for that success and he has plenty of scope for further progress on this drop back in trip; strong contender.

4/7

1st

1

1st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

13:47 Market Rasen

Grandads Cap

12st 0lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: L J Morgan

Low-mileage 6yo who made promising chase debut at Catterick (2m3f, good) just after Christmas, staying on well for third; moves back up in trip here and has plenty of scope for improvement; must be considered.

5/2

Form: 506P0-

Last run: 217 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Veteran who looked badly out of sorts when last seen in the autumn; 1lb wrong today and has a lot to prove but it's worth noting he won on good ground after a layoff in May 2023 and went close in this race (soft ground) when fresh last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

2nd Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell

Stripe Of Honour

10st 5lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Anthony Day

Veteran who rediscovered some form and was placed twice (once over C&D) in June/July; not quite in same form on latest outing 11 weeks ago but still enters calculations.

7/1

4th

12

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:50 Worcester

Stripe Of Honour

10st 2lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Anthony Day

Veteran who has rediscovered some form and been placed twice (once over C&D) in recent weeks; slightly out of the weights today, though, and some of his younger rivals look much more interesting.

14/1

9

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Stripe Of Honour

10st 2lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Anthony Day

Good days are hard to predict but did make the frame at Southwell (3m, good) last time with the visor left off; whether he'll be as good again remains to be seen.

9/1

Form: /P01P- CD BF

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Given significant boost by first-time cheekpieces when causing 33-1 surprise over C&D (good to soft) in March but was pulled up after jumping poorly on next outing and it's hard to know what to expect from her today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

20th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:25 Southwell

Lizzie Rey

10st 11lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Given significant boost by first-time cheekpieces when causing 33-1 surprise over C&D (good to soft) in March but was pulled up after jumping poorly on next outing and it's hard to know what to expect from her today.

11/2

6th

6

20th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:25 Southwell

Lizzie Rey

10st 11lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Given significant boost by first-time cheekpieces when causing 33-1 surprise over C&D (good to soft) in March but was pulled up after jumping poorly on next outing and it's hard to know what to expect from her today.

11/2

10

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:57 Warwick

Lizzie Rey

10st 7lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Escapes a penalty for recent 3m win at Southwell (good to soft), which was her first run in cheekpieces and the second after wind surgery; clearly a strong contender if she's as good again.

2/1

16/1

Form: F293U-

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Looked held when unseating rider here on last month's chasing debut and now quickly reverts to hurdling; quite well handicapped if judged on last year's Market Rasen second (2m7f, good) but riding arrangements suggest Indian Sunbird is the stable's main hope today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

10th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

16:13 Sedgefield

Moro Rock

10st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Won over a similar trip at Stratford last summer (on good ground) when only 1lb lower; hasn't kicked on but might be better for a break.

8/1

7th

10

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Moro Rock

10st 7lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Twice went close before off the mark at Stratford (3m2f, good) but hasn't kicked on from there and this trip might be on the sharp side.

10/1

10

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Moro Rock

10st 7lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Twice went close before off the mark at Stratford (3m2f, good) but hasn't kicked on from there and this trip might be on the sharp side.

10/1

Form: 14S52-

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Had rather mixed record over hurdles/fences last season and was well held when second in small-field chase on latest outing in March but was given another wind op last month (her second) and reverts to hurdling on a good mark and with conditions suitable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Micronormous

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: David Pipe

Should be well handicapped but was pulled up over hurdles and fences before departing early in a handicap chase here 12 days ago; best watched.

16/1

2

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Micronormous

11st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: David Pipe

Back below the mark of November's mares' handicap win at Fakenham (2m6f, good to soft); rarely operated at that level since, with little about two latest runs suggesting April's wind surgery has done anything for her.

14/1

4

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:05 Worcester

Micronormous

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

Won over fences last season (2m5f, good to soft) but it was an up-and-down campaign in both disciplines; ran moderately on the back of wind surgery on return to hurdles at Southwell but certainly has a big run in her if she can rediscover her form.

7/2

Form: 9990-4

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Irish raider; 0-6 over hurdles but shaped well before fading into fourth at Cork (3m, good) ten days ago and remains unexposed over this trip; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

13

28th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

19:20 Limerick

Moonshine Girl

10st 3lb

J: Miss J Townend

T: Paul John Gilligan

17-race maiden was a decent third over fences at Sligo in October; not a bad effort when two places behind Navy Waves on return at Cork; entitled to come on for that effort.

14/1

7th

18

10th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 80y

17:00 Cork

Moonshine Girl

10st 4lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Maiden was a decent third over fences at Sligo in October but failed to back that up in two starts the following month; 13l fourth in this last year but had the benefit of a recent run; might need this after a break.

22/1

11th

22

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Moonshine Girl

11st 9lb

J: Owen Byrne

T: Paul John Gilligan

Modest maiden over hurdles and fences, hard to make a case for.

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.40
Straight Forecast £21.58
Tricast £232.59
Trifecta £220.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Micronormous

Telegraph:

Fox's Socks

SPOTLIGHT:

Indian Sunbird

The Guardian:

Leading Force

WEST COUNTRY:

Micronormous

The Times:

Micronormous

Daily Mirror:

Micronormous

The Star:

Micronormous

Daily Record:

Micronormous

RP RATINGS:

Indian Sunbird

D Express:

Leading Force

Daily Mail:

Fox's Socks

The Sun:

Fox's Socks