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

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

5th

11

(14)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Rogue Diplomat

9st 5lb

J: Harry Davies

T: James Owen

Progressive 4yo; 5-6 over 7f but showed he's just as effective at 1m when making Urban Lion pull out all the stops in the Lincoln at Doncaster (good to soft) three weeks ago; 1lb better off for a nose defeat and there should be little between the pair again.

7/1

2nd

12

(5)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Rogue Diplomat

9st 3lb

J: Harry Davies

T: James Owen

Won over 7f here in September (good to soft) and October (soft) to complete a four-timer; all of those wins came by less than 1l, suggesting he's a type who only just does enough, and there may be more left in the tank; worth another crack at 1m and could be in the mix if seeing it out.

10/1

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

21th

4

(6)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Fondo Blanco

9st 10lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Steadily progressive and has a largely solid record; won well in his last handicap attempt, then ran well in Listed grade; gelded since; has C&D form and looks an interesting contender on seasonal debut, with further improvement a possibility; market support should be heeded.

16/1

4th

6

(2)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Fondo Blanco

9st 1lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Reliable sort who's found some improvement in recent starts, on last two occasions taking second at Ascot (7f, soft) and winning well in a handicap at Haydock (1m, good to soft); first crack at 1m suited him very well last time but another step forward is required.

8/1

4th

6

(2)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Fondo Blanco

9st 1lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Reliable sort who's found some improvement in recent starts, on last two occasions taking second at Ascot (7f, soft) and winning well in a handicap at Haydock (1m, good to soft); first crack at 1m suited him very well last time but another step forward is required.

8/1

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

4th

9

(3)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Philanthropist

8st 13lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Fanshawe

The addition of cheekpieces saw him break his turf duck at Yarmouth in April, digging deep to win by a short head; similar form when third of 14 at Goodwood (7f, good) five weeks ago; he will need a personal best to come out on top this time though.

10/1

3rd

11

(10)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:52 Goodwood

Philanthropist

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: James Fanshawe

Took well to first-time cheekpieces at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm) returned to turf with AW reappearance under his belt, taking overall record to 3-13; upped in grade but may have more to offer in the retained headgear; shortlisted.

9/2

1st

2

(10)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

16:55 Yarmouth

Philanthropist

9st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: James Fanshawe

Both of his wins have been on AW but he does act on turf; strong in the betting when seventh at Newcastle (7f, AW) on his reappearance 25 days ago, albeit beaten only 2l; claims with cheekpieces first time.

6/1

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

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

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

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

2nd

1

(8)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

15:53 Hamilton

Native Instinct

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Novice winner on soft and has gone close in a 7f handicap on good to soft; well beaten upped to 1m at Leicester on final run in October but that was too bad to be true; has dipped to a dangerous mark and, at this trip, may have improvement lurking.

7/2

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

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

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

5th

3

(3)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 5

17:10 Beverley

Catton Lady

9st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Kept on well to beat Blufferonthebus at Carlisle (her only other win also came there) in June; good effort when second of 11 at Thirsk (also 1m, soft) in September when last seen; also ran well on her return in 2024 but could beat only Dandy's Angel when making her comeback in this race last year; any rain would help and market may guide on this reappearance.

11/2

2nd

3

(10)

15th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:50 Thirsk

Catton Lady

9st 10lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Kept on well to win a 1m handicap at Carlisle (soft) in June; not so good twice since and vulnerable to the 3yos this time.

14/1

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