August 17 / 16.22 Southwell (AW)

16.22

Standard

Reach Flower Pod Southwell Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Reach Flower Pod Southwell Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly sunny

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.80
  • Place: £2.00

Form: -16051 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Led close home at Newmarket (7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago and now has 2-7 strike-rate; untested on this surface but recent 3lb rise ought to be manageable; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(12)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Rogue Diplomat

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: James Owen

Seriously progressive this season in 1m handicaps, including a near miss in the Lincoln (good to soft; won on soft) and victory in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (good to firm); dispelled any doubts about his Group-race credentials when emerging from last in a steadily run race to push Lake Forest to a neck in the 7f Lennox at Glorious Goodwood (good); that effort deserves an upgrade, so he's in the mix.

12/1

2nd

6

(8)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Rogue Diplomat

9st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: James Owen

Progressive handicapper who landed the Hunt Cup from favourable draw at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) most recently; faces a stiffer task on these terms but possibly hasn't reached his ceiling yet and a strike-rate of 5-6 over 7f bodes well.

10/1

1st

28

(33)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Rogue Diplomat

9st 0lb

J: Harry Davies

T: James Owen

Failed to fire in French Listed race last time; broadly progressive in handicaps and went close in the Lincoln when bidding for a five-timer (ran creditably in Spring Cup next time); however, chance partly depends on the weather, as he's ideally suited by ground softer than good.

16/1

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 31-227 BF

Last run: 83 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 3yo who was creditable second on handicap debut at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in May; not quite in same form when dropped back to 6f later that month and absent for 12 weeks since but still looks interesting on this AW debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(8)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Goodwood

Fondo Blanco

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Progressed into a useful sort last term but has a doubt over current form, having posted two duck eggs (both at Ascot) this season; best watched unless the market suggests a revival is likely.

25/1

10th

6

(11)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Fondo Blanco

9st 11lb

J: Mme Marie Velon

T: Roger Varian

Progressive 3yo last year; gelded prior to finishing down the field in the Buckingham Palace Stakes here (7f, good to firm) at the Royal meeting, a run that is easily excused given his draw; now tongue tied; not fully exposed at 1m and he is one to consider.

14/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-1454 CD

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Finished well for narrow C&D win on seasonal/handicap debut in April and has posted three pretty good efforts on turf since (7f-1m); sure to be suited by this return to Tapeta and features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(1)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Philanthropist

9st 8lb

J: George Wood

T: James Fanshawe

Won in first-time cheekpieces at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm) in April; reached the frame in next two starts but his form nosedived in a big field at Ascot (last of 16) last time; has a bit to prove after that but this is a big drop back in grade and he's a player if he can bounce back.

13/2

16th

15

(17)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Philanthropist

8st 9lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: James Fanshawe

Won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm) in April and has continued in good heart on his two outings since; however, he's up in grade this afternoon and needs something extra.

40/1

Form: 1-5160 CD

Last run: 92 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
2-5 for current stable since December, with both the victories gained over C&D; absent since down-the-field turf run in May but returns here on his last winning mark and can be dangerous if allowed to dominate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(4)

1st Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

16:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Federal Envoy

9st 6lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Charlie Clover

Runner-up off today's mark on stable debut at Ripon (6f, good) in June but subsequent 6f/7f form has been underwhelming, albeit he was denied a clear run last time; wore cheekpieces for last two races; visor given a whirl today.

5/1

9th

7

(9)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Southwell (AW)

Federal Envoy

9st 9lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Charlie Clover

All three wins have been here but over 7f and for different yards; however, close up on stable debut over 6f at Ripon and last run wasn't too bad as he was never in the right place at Lingfield; don't put a line through him.

8/1

5th

4

(7)

4th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

18:48 Lingfield (AW)

Federal Envoy

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Charlie Clover

Second of seven on stable debut at Ripon (6f, good) in June but failed to back it up at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm); returning to 6f may help but all three AW wins have come at Southwell.

5/1

Form: 08-138

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Improved to win 6f Wolverhampton novice on stable debut in February and might have been a shade unlucky not to follow up on handicap debut a Doncaster (7f, good to firm) in June; didn't fire at Ascot last month but still has possibilities on this return to Tapeta.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(6)

22nd Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Kempton (AW)

Angel Of Rain

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Horton

Stop-start career but can add to her Wolverhampton novice success on the evidence of an unlucky third at Doncaster in June and decent fifth in a hot race at Southwell last time; might be one for another day, though; Polytrack debut.

10/1

5th

8

(5)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

16:22 Southwell (AW)

Angel Of Rain

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: James Horton

Improved to win 6f Wolverhampton novice on stable debut in February and might have been a shade unlucky not to follow up on handicap debut a Doncaster (7f, good to firm) in June; didn't fire at Ascot last month but still has possibilities on this return to Tapeta.

12/1

Form: 31-732 BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won soft-ground 6f novice in the autumn and looked back in prime form when close second in Catterick handicap (7f, good to soft) last month, his third run of the season; can make presence felt if suited by this switch to Tapeta.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(2)

19th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 4

16:20 Carlisle

Native Instinct

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Edward Bethell

Added to his 2yo novice win when making all to justify support at Musselburgh (7f, good) in June; this is a deeper race but a 3lb rise looks fair and he's well drawn to attack; respected.

9/2

1st

4

(7)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

16:00 Musselburgh

Native Instinct

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Edward Bethell

Still seeking his first handicap success and he has been beaten as favourite in both starts this year; on a dangerous mark and likely to be popular again.

5/1

6th

1

(1)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

17:10 Carlisle

Native Instinct

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Novice winner; 0-8 in handicaps but produced one of his best efforts when 1l second at Hamilton (1m, good) on seasonal debut; possibilities off same mark.

11/4

14/1

Form: 0-0744

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly when fourth on consecutive 7f starts at Epsom last month but has basically been disappointing since winning quite valuable 6f Polytrack handicap for Roger Varian in early 2024; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(12)

21st Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Brave Empire

8st 13lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ivan Furtado

Ran well when a close fourth of 16 at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) last month, but didn't back it up at Pontefract (5f, good; first-time hood) a fortnight ago; opposable given his wide draw and a losing run of 22.

10/1

7th

9

(7)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Brave Empire

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Losing run up to 21, but he ran well to finish a close fourth of 16 at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) last month; a few winners have come out of that race and a hood is given a go, but the drop to 5f may not be ideal even on a stiff track like this.

7/1

4th

8

(12)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Brave Empire

9st 7lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Ivan Furtado

Very useful juvenile/3yo for Roger Varian but his last win was in February 2024 and he's not made an impact in seven runs this year; mark continues to fall but losing run is up to 20 and others are preferred.

14/1

Form: 5-0817

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Won off a reduced mark at Carlisle (7.8f, soft) on June and didn't run badly in race that developed into a slog there (1m1f, soft) last month; back in trip for this AW debut and could have a say if the new surface suits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(9)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ripon

Catton Lady

9st 13lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Landed 12-runner handicap at Ayr (7f) 22 days ago; up 4lb but still lightly raced this season so not out of things.

7/1

1st

1

(5)

10th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

14:45 Ayr

Catton Lady

10st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Ended a long losing run when scoring off 2lb lower at Carlisle (1m, soft) last June; has had just two runs this season but she's run creditably in a handicap and a seller at Beverley; now drops back in trip but has possibilities if she gets a good pace and some luck.

7/1

2nd

4

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

19:35 Beverley

Catton Lady

9st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Infrequent winner; fair return to action when fifth over C&D in April but she looks to face an uphill task at these weights.

10/1

20/1

Form: 2122-0 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Consistent over 6f/7f on turf as a 2yo; weakened out of contention from 2f out when 80-1 for last month's seasonal/AW debut here (1m) but probably needed that outing; no surprise if she lasts a bit longer today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(8)

25th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lovely Spirit

9st 0lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Won over this trip at Musselburgh last summer but hasn't added to tally and needs to improve for the switch back to AW/drop to 7f if she's to win this.

20/1

6

(6)

19th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ayr

Lovely Spirit

9st 6lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Well beaten in her last four races and perhaps better at 7f than 1m.

20/1

7

(1)

14th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 5

17:08 Musselburgh

Lovely Spirit

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Course scorer who hinted at a revival when seventh of ten in 9f Carlisle handicap 13 days ago; not without interest off a 3lb lower mark here.

8/1

50/1

Form: 2160-0 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Made all off 1lb higher at Windsor (1m, good) in spring 2024 and will also be suited by today's trip-and-surface combination but returned from long absence with 15l defeat last month and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(10)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

16:22 Southwell (AW)

Perseverants

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Made all off 1lb higher at Windsor (1m, good) in spring 2024 and will also be suited by today's trip-and-surface combination but returned from long absence with 15l defeat last month and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.

50/1

9

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

16:25 York

Perseverants

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Made all in good style at Windsor (1m, good) in April 2024 and this 7yo is well treated now 2lb higher if retaining that ability; however, he's returning from a 454-day absence so there are questions to answer.

33/1

10th

3

(9)

28th Apr 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Perseverants

9st 7lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Scott Dixon

Wolverhampton winner early last year who scored in some style at Windsor (1m, good) this month but was disappointing under his penalty at Pontefract (1m, soft) six days ago; not quite sure what to expect after that; stable also runs Visibility.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.70
Straight Forecast £15.25
Tricast £27.48
Trifecta £50.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

Native Instinct

RP RATINGS:

Philanthropist

SPOTLIGHT:

Fondo Blanco

Daily Mirror:

Angel Of Rain

The Times:

Native Instinct

The Guardian:

Native Instinct

D Express:

Native Instinct

The Sun:

Native Instinct

The Star:

Native Instinct

NEWMARKET:

Fondo Blanco

TOPSPEED:

Philanthropist

Telegraph:

Philanthropist

Daily Record:

Philanthropist