October 23 / 18.30 Southwell (AW)

18.30

Standard

Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3716.14
  • 1m 0f 13y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Rain

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 9-202

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Sent off at 25-1 for her handicap debut at Kempton five weeks ago (1m) but she ran a fine race for second, battling on well but headed late by the reopposing Saytarr; open to further progress and is high on the list despite a 2lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Knickerbocker

9st 7lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Sent off at 25-1 for her handicap debut at Kempton five weeks ago (1m) but she ran a fine race for second, battling on well but headed late by the reopposing Saytarr; open to further progress and is high on the list despite a 2lb rise.

100/30

2

(5)

18th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Kempton (AW)

Knickerbocker

9st 9lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Second of six on her Lingfield return (1m2f, Polytrack) in April, but didn't back it up there the following month and not seen since; now makes her handicap debut and the market may be revealing.

10/1

10th

7

(5)

29th May 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Lingfield (AW)

Knickerbocker

9st 2lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Made low-key debut in the autumn but fared much better when clear second (albeit no match for winner) behind subsequent Musidora third Go Go Boots over C&D last month, and further progress is possible.

11/2

20/1

  • Place: £4.50

Form: 813257 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Wouldn't judge him too harshly on latest Kempton effort when trapped out wide; in good hands and bred to be better than this mark but not obviously ahead of the handicapper at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(8)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Salisbury

Optimatum

9st 8lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: Rod Millman

Won at Leicester (1m, good to firm) last June when trained by Charlie Johnston and he went close at Southwell (1m, AW) on his final start for that yard; beat only one rival home on his stable debut 174 days ago and now has his first try over 6f; cheekpieces left off.

9/1

2nd

10

(8)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Optimatum

9st 4lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Wouldn't judge him too harshly on latest Kempton effort when trapped out wide; in good hands and bred to be better than this mark but not obviously ahead of the handicapper at present.

20/1

7th

7

(9)

15th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Optimatum

9st 8lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Charlie Johnston

Below par turned out quickly last time and given a rest since; has shown his recent improvement on turf and this return to AW presents a question mark.

10/1

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 344376

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Yet to win in eight starts but he has run some good races on turf at up to 1m2f; encouragement for AW on breeding and no surprise to see him in the thick of the action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(2)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

0-18 but has shown ability as when second of nine at Newcastle (1m2f, Tapeta) ten days ago; return to this trip not a problem and he holds each-way claims again.

7/1

2nd

1

(4)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David O’Meara

0-17 but he got right back on track when fourth of 11 in 1m Southwell handicap nine days ago, doing best of those held up off a steady pace; he's effective at this longer trip and is one for the shortlist.

6/1

4th

7

(10)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Free-goer who came from the rear for a close third behind Soames Forsyte over C&D last month and may not have been suited by the much more positive tactics when below that form at Wolverhampton (8.6f; ran without usual hood) a few days later; however, he's 0-16 now and has become frustrating.

10/1

8/1

Form: 212955 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
C&D win 12 months ago; in good form over 7f this summer, winning at Newbury either side of runner-up finishes at Newmarket and Ascot; below that level more recently but he was caught out wide at Wolverhampton last time; not ruled out with Rossa Ryan back in the saddle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Wetherby

Stratocracy

9st 8lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Two-time turf and AW winner (7f-1m); 8lb higher than his highest winning mark and although he may have needed his reappearance, he may also now need a favour from the handicapper.

14/1

6th

10

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Stratocracy

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Kevin Frost

On a career-high mark but he won well from the front at Chelmsford (7f, AW) in November when last seen and may remain competitive; dual scorer on turf and doesn't necessarily need to dominate.

12/1

Form: 347025 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer; two-time Tapeta winner, including C&D, and he hasn't been far off his best on last two starts; new blinkers replace cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(1)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Newbury

Riyadh Gem

9st 5lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Faye Bramley

Not solid on his AW form for current yard and he has regressive results on turf, so chance hinges on physical tweak (gelded since last run) and addition of tongue-tie.

10/1

5th

3

(3)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

Riyadh Gem

9st 8lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Faye Bramley

Not been with Faye Bramley long and there were signs of a revival when third, albeit beaten 4l, at Wolverhampton (9.5f) in December; failed to build on that when down the field at Lingfield in January but still dangerous to discount dipping into a 0-65 for the first time.

9/1

Form: 321516 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Two Polytrack wins this summer, the latest a last-gasp success at Kempton last month (1m); dropped away in a Nottingham handicap two weeks ago but could resume his progress back on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(1)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Sandown

Saytarr

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Horton

He won earlier this year on his first three starts for James Horton (7f/1m, AW); made it 0-9 on turf when 2l third of 11 at Ascot (1m, good to firm) four weeks ago but that was still a positive run and he could be in the mix.

6/1

3rd

7

(1)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Ascot

Saytarr

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: James Horton

Five AW wins include this year's hat-trick on the Tapeta; raised a further 4lb for what was a narrow latest success (1m) but he's on a roll and no doubt a better horse now than when last seen on turf.

7/2

1st

3

(8)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Saytarr

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Horton

Has taken his AW record to 4-7 when winning twice at Southwell (7f/1m) since joining James Horton; raised 6lb since last time but the way he moved into contention suggests there's likely even more to come for his new stable.

2/1

Form: 603984 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Now 5lb lower than for her winning stable debut at Musselburgh in April (1m1f, good to soft); blown hot and cold since but she was a fair fourth in a stronger C&D handicap three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Alessia Fernanda

9st 8lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Took advantage of an easing mark to make a winning seasonal reappearance at Southwell (1m; 14-1, first start since wind surgery) in late April; non-runner at Thirsk (ground) on Sunday, and this looks a better fit; likely to have a say from 4lb higher.

13/2

1st

4

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

16:05 Southwell (AW)

Alessia Fernanda

9st 9lb

J: Harry Smith

T: Declan Carroll

Her form went the wrong way last season but she returns having had wind surgery and is 7lb lower than when winning on her reappearance last April; trainer had a double here last Saturday; capable of having a big say.

10/1

10/1

Form: 404689 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Two course wins for Grant Tuer early in the year, off 6lb and 10lb higher respectively; retains ability for his new stable but he was disappointing at Wolverhampton 19 days ago, his first run after wind surgery; hopes pinned on the return to Southwell piquing his interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(7)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Bajan Bandit

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: Patrick Morris

Continues to edge down the weights and he's well treated on the pick of this winter's course form; however, he appears to have gone off the boil on his last few outings and needs to raise his game.

8/1

6th

9

(5)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Bajan Bandit

9st 0lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Patrick Morris

2lb lower than for his Newcastle win in December but his form has gone off the boil more recently; Billy Loughnane, who was aboard for the Newcastle win, is back on today so a revival wouldn't be a bolt from the blue.

10/1

6th

4

(7)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Bajan Bandit

9st 7lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

In good form over 7f/1m in mid-winter but below par on his last two outings and needs to bounce back.

14/1

Form: -72179 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in a C&D handicap in March; well beaten in two turf runs since but the return to AW should be beneficial; still likely that improvement is required though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(6)

11th May 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Spec Of Light

9st 4lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Tony Forbes

Regressive gelding who's lacked consistency of late, including in two forms of headgear; having a first crack at beyond 1m4f and needs to improve for the stiffer test.

20/1

5th

3

(2)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

16:05 Southwell (AW)

Spec Of Light

9st 7lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Tony Forbes

Patchy form since gaining his sole success here (1m) 13 months ago, but has run well on a couple of occasions over middle-distances on this track during that period; each-way claims if producing his best.

20/1

7th

7

(1)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

20:18 Southwell (AW)

Spec Of Light

9st 2lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Tony Forbes

Gained sole success for previous yard at Southwell (1m); ran creditably, finishing half-length second to Chicago Storm, over C&D (on debut for new stable) most recently; in the mix.

8/1

Form: 338179 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Three-time course winner; came from off the pace to win at Nottingham in July but has made no impact in two subsequent runs; others are more appealing than this habitual slow starter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(4)

7th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Soames Forsyte

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Michael Herrington

Gained his fourth win at his track when coming from off the pace to win by a neck here in January; kept on into fifth behind Avatar Jet over C&D 12 days ago and has each-way claims if this is run to suit.

16/1

5th

6

(6)

25th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Soames Forsyte

9st 5lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Four-time course winner, all in the winter months, latterly off this mark in January; usually misses the break and again hung left when behind Marry The Night over C&D last time; a stronger pace would help for last year's winning yard.

10/1

5th

5

(5)

5th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Soames Forsyte

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Has become inconsistent but has won four times here, the latest over this trip in January; just 1lb higher and a player if on a going day.

15/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £104.70
Straight Forecast £130.18
Tricast £608.26
Trifecta £898.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Forest Caper

The Star:

Knickerbocker

Daily Mail:

Stratocracy

The Guardian:

Alessia Fernanda

POSTDATA:

Riyadh Gem

Telegraph:

Saytarr

RP RATINGS:

Bajan Bandit

TOPSPEED:

Soames Forsyte

Daily Record:

Knickerbocker

The Times:

Forest Caper

Daily Mirror:

Forest Caper

D Express:

Stratocracy

The Sun:

Alessia Fernanda