September 23 / 20.00 Southwell (AW)

20.00

Standard

Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 6f 21y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

25/1

  • Place: £5.20

Form: 5-8000

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Proved tough to place for Karl Burke last year before being sold for 49,000gns in the autumn; continued to struggle in good-class handicaps this season and, while this is easier down another 4lb and back on the AW, he's hard to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 4

17:32 Chester

Imperial Sovereign

9st 12lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Philip Kirby

No wins since an odds-on debut success for Karl Burke back in 2023; well handicapped on his old form but he's been well held in his last three runs including over 1m6f at York (good) two weeks ago; down the list.

9/1

4th

4

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 4

15:38 York

Imperial Sovereign

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Philip Kirby

No wins since an odds-on debut success for Karl Burke back in 2023 but he's run with credit on plenty of occasions; that wasn't the case at Chester last time, however, and on balance he's opposable despite this career-low mark.

12/1

6th

5

(8)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

14:53 Chester

Imperial Sovereign

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Philip Kirby

Sole win (19 races) was a novice in 2023; running respectably this term, drawn wide when never able to challenge in the Chester Plate last time; competitively handicapped but probably not the percentage call.

7/1

Form: 1-2425 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Currently 2-2 round here, both over 1m4f; proved consistent during a limited campaign this year, following wind surgery, bar a forgivable blip in a race that didn't pan out his way latest; a player if stamina holds now going beyond 1m4f for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:45 Newmarket (July)

Melek Alreeh

10st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David Simcock

All four wins over 1m4f, the last three on Tapeta; not seen since a career best to win at Wolverhampton in January and he's 4lb higher here; twice runner-up on turf last year; may need to hit a new turf high but he requires a second look given this small field.

11/2

1st

4

(7)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Melek Alreeh

9st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: David Simcock

Triple 1m4f winner, including on Tapeta; handicapper has just had his measure since his last win but he's gone very close several times, the latest at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack); up 1lb; respected.

13/2

8/1

Form: -99885 CD

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Serial slow starter who lost his way for Jamie Osborne prior to being sold for 13,000gns in July; solid debut for his new yard, when 125-1 for a Galway handicap two months ago, and has a chance of adding to last autumn's C&D win if building on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 4

18:00 Market Rasen

Wahraan

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Jessica Bedi

Has some useful Flat form and kept on steadily from a long way off the pace to take third on hurdle debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) in November; subsequent Grade 2 defeat is easily overlooked but he has become a very awkward ride, often refusing to settle and/or hanging; comes with risk.

2/1

5th

3

(1)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Wahraan

9st 3lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Jessica Bedi

Quirky and sometimes blows the start; on a reduced mark and retains some ability but he is not the obvious solution to this puzzle.

20/1

10th

15

(6)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Wahraan

9st 2lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Jessica Bedi

Quirky and sometimes blows the start; well handicapped judged on lots of 2024 form over 1m4f-2m, but he's seldom sparked in the same way since.

33/1

Form: 287746

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Fine on Tapeta but has done most winning round Chelmsford, always over 1m2f; generally consistent in recent times, without looking quite as good, and has to prove his stamina going beyond 1m4f for the first time; the usual headgear comes off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(4)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Wadacre Gomez

9st 7lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Fine on Tapeta but has done most winning round Chelmsford, always over 1m2f; generally consistent in recent times, without looking quite as good, and has to prove his stamina going beyond 1m4f for the first time; the usual headgear comes off.

10/1

1

(4)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Lingfield (AW)

Wadacre Gomez

10st 2lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Charlie Johnston

Much more exposed than some of these and usually runs over 1m2f but gave pretty good account when fourth in valuable Chelmsford handicap (1m2f) a fortnight and is 1lb lower here; could have a say.

4/1

9

(5)

7th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Wadacre Gomez

8st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Charlie Johnston

Formerly a front-runner but more often held up these days; finished a 4l seventh at Wolverhampton in last two starts but he's 5-9 at Chelmsford and was runner-up over C&D in June; has possibilities back at this track and he needs a close look with Hollie Doyle booked.

9/1

3/1

Form: 82/561

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Pulled way too hard in the first-time hood on his handicap/Polytrack debut last month and did well to get as close as he did; proved more amenable when winning easily at Chester (1m4f) ten days ago and a 9lb rise may be doable if settling early going up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 185y

16:12 Downpatrick

Playtime

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Leopardstown maiden hurdle winner (2m, soft) in March and runner-up to the smart Switch From Diesel in a novice two runs back; only seventh in a handicap since then but was beaten far; every chance on these terms.

7/4

7th

16

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:18 Bellewstown

Playtime

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Good winner of a Leopardstown maiden hurdle (2m, soft) in March; handicap form is less persuasive, though the form of a Tramore third was boosted by Eastmore here on Thursday.

10/1

Form: -53275

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
0-6 since joining from Andre Fabre (Polytrack winner in France); better effort without seeing out 2m at York last time, on his first crack at beyond 1m4f, and is one to consider back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(1)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 2

16:22 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ribble Vibe

8st 13lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: David O’Meara

Sometimes hangs left but is moving in the right direction and comfortably justified favouritism over C&D in December, recording a first win since joining shrewd current connections; good second on trials day at Newcastle (kept to 2m) since; may improve further at this trip; respected.

2/1

2nd

7

(6)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:15 Newcastle (AW)

Ribble Vibe

8st 13lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Had been running well in defeat before outclassing his five rivals in a Class 4 at Wolverhampton (2m); 5lb higher this time in a stronger contest but looks a good bet to give his running.

6/1

Form: -01299 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Wildly hit and miss on turf but boasts a decent, consistent record on Tapeta at Newcastle (went close in the Northumberland Vase there in the summer); it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce back from a couple of poor efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:12 Ascot

Tryfan

8st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Harry Charlton

Better on AW but he did win on good to firm last May; placed in two of his AW starts last winter but tailed off in a hot 2m race at Easter (hooded) and well beaten when returned to turf at Salisbury in May; now tries cheekpieces and a lower turf mark is largely negated by being 4lb out of the handicap.

10/1

7th

5

14th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:40 Salisbury

Tryfan

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Harry Charlton

Three-time winner whose sole success on turf came over C&D (good to firm) just under one year ago; also scored off this mark on AW (1m6f) in September but has been very in and out on last four starts, including when tried in a hood (removed) and beaten 32l in valuable AW event last time; drops back down in grade from lower turf mark and can make presence felt if on a going day.

12/1

Form: 4161-9 C

Last run: 249 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Form: 213629 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Newcastle one month ago, in a race he'd won last year, and is switched from cheekpieces to first-time blinkers off the back of it; there's little wiggle room off this mark and much will hinge on how he responds to the new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

16:35 Aintree

Road To Wembley

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time winner on the Flat for Richard Hughes and it's been a promising start over hurdles, winning a Southwell maiden last time without too much fuss (good); penalised accordingly but sets the standard.

Evs

1st

5

1st Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Road To Wembley

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Fairly useful four-time AW Flat winner in these silks for Richard Hughes and promising second of ten on his Warwick hurdle debut (2m, good to soft) for Olly Murphy 24 days ago; entitled to improve and the one to beat.

Evs

2nd

7

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Road To Wembley

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time AW winner at up to 2m on Flat for Richard Hughes, reaching an RPR of 85 (has shown a similar level of form on turf); remains with same owner; has the potential to become a fairly useful hurdler.

13/2

Form: -36230 D

Last run: 158 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Five Wolverhampton wins to his name for Shaun Lycett, all during the winter months, and never off a mark this high; has gone well here too but possible he'll need this for his new yard after five months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(4)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:40 York

Optician

9st 10lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Herrington

Five-time AW winner who made it sixteenth time lucky on turf when seeing off five rivals over 1m4f at Doncaster (good to soft) under Conor Whiteley 26 days ago; 3lb higher in a deeper race now but the Michael Herrington stable continues in good form.

8/1

1st

3

(3)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

14:00 Doncaster

Optician

9st 13lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Herrington

5-19 on AW but 0-15 on the grass after finishing well behind at Thirsk two weeks ago (1m4f, good); he'll be of greater interest when back on the synthetics.

11/2

10th

8

(12)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

17:15 Thirsk

Optician

8st 12lb

J: David Probert

T: Michael Herrington

0-14 on turf (5-19 on AW) but he ran well when he last tackled grass in summer 2024; returned from some time off with promising fourth at Southwell (1m3f, AW) last month and can be in the mix if building on that effort.

12/1

Form: 825967 C

Last run: 124 days

W: 8st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won seven times in around three months two winters ago, mostly over a bit further; has had a four-month break since a poor spell during the spring and will need to be bang on it if he's to end a dry run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

The Craftymaster

10st 7lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Record of ten wins from 34 starts on the AW; goes particularly well here, gaining fourth course success when scoring by 14l over 2m nine days ago; this trip no problem; will be hard to beat with a 5lb penalty.

5/4

1st

1

(2)

28th Jun 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

15:47 Wolverhampton (AW)

The Craftymaster

9st 9lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Nine wins on the AW including two over C&D (course record reads 22111544); would have finished closer with a clear run when fifth of eight at Bath (2m1f, good) 15 days ago and very much of interest back here.

5/2

5th

2

(1)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:20 Bath

The Craftymaster

9st 10lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Added another two AW wins to his haul this winter; rated 7lb lower on turf but with some justification given his record on grass, including a heavy C&D defeat in April; not solid.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.80
Straight Forecast £19.31
Tricast £307.60
Trifecta £327.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Road To Wembley

SPOTLIGHT:

Ribble Vibe

Telegraph:

Playtime

NEWMARKET:

Melek Alreeh

The Times:

Wadacre Gomez

The Star:

Wahraan

TOPSPEED:

Ribble Vibe

D Express:

Ribble Vibe

POSTDATA:

Road To Wembley

The Guardian:

Road To Wembley

Daily Mail:

Road To Wembley

Daily Mirror:

Playtime

Daily Record:

Playtime

The Sun:

Melek Alreeh