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

7th

6

(2)

21st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:27 Salisbury

Optimatum

10st 11lb

J: Mr Patrick Millman

T: Rod Millman

He hasn't found his best form in three runs for Rod Millman but he is dropping down the weights and he has one of the more experienced riders on board; could revive.

12/1

6th

5

(4)

4th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

17:18 Lingfield (AW)

Optimatum

9st 9lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: Rod Millman

Yard in flying form but this gelding has it to prove, having been off since a poor turf comeback in May; two previous runs on Polytrack weren't great either, while an easy 7f looks a bare minimum.

20/1

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

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

5th

2

(6)

1st Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

17:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: David O’Meara

0-19 but has been placed ten times; returns from a break and is down to a career-low mark; hood worn on recent starts is left off; more exposed than the opposition and vulnerable to an improver.

13/2

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

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

9th

3

(7)

4th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:55 Ascot

Stratocracy

10st 5lb

J: Miss Lauren Frost

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Has run well in competitive handicaps this summer, notably his third of 18 at York (7f, good to firm) two runs ago; big shout on that form if he can brush off his below-par effort at Newbury.

10/1

5th

3

(7)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:58 Newbury

Stratocracy

9st 11lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Ended 2025 with a 7f win at Chelmsford and he has run well in competitive handicaps on turf this summer, most recently finishing third of 18 at York (7f, good to firm) three weeks ago; no obvious reason why he wouldn't make another bold bid.

11/2

3rd

6

(15)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:32 York

Stratocracy

9st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Sixth of 22 over C&D (good) in May on reappearance and further respectable efforts when fifth of 14 on his next two starts (7f, good to firm); however, he needs something extra to return to winning ways today.

20/1

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

11th

11

(16)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Saytarr

9st 0lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: James Horton

Won early this year on first three runs for James Horton (7f/1m, AW) before good third here (1m, good to firm) and a fifth of seven at Sandown (1m, good); won at Kempton (1m, AW) next time; could give a good account but he's 6-9 on AW as opposed to 0-10 on turf, which tempers enthusiasm.

20/1

1st

1

(14)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Saytarr

10st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Horton

Hugely progressive for his new stable at the start of the year, winning handicaps at Southwell (7f/1m) before completing his hat-trick at Newcastle (1m); beaten on turf twice since but he is 0-10 in that sphere as opposed to 5-8 on AW; drawn widest but still of some interest.

6/1

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

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

7th

5

(5)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:40 Southwell (AW)

Alessia Fernanda

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Reappeared with a C&D win in April (14-1) but she's not hit the same level since and was beaten 10l at Thirsk last time; now only 1lb higher than for that last success but she needs another bolt from the blue.

16/1

6th

5

(9)

14th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

19:50 Thirsk

Alessia Fernanda

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

No match for the winner last week at Pontefract (1m) but that was a return to form of sorts; has dropped to what should be a good mark.

10/1

2nd

2

(5)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

15:45 Pontefract

Alessia Fernanda

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Her wins have come on slow ground but she appears to act on good to firm; latest success came on AW (1m) in April, when 2lb lower; below that level in three turf starts since.

11/2

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

12th

11

(4)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:17 Southwell (AW)

Bajan Bandit

9st 4lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

The visor has had a positive effect and he may have bumped into one when a clear second off this mark 11 days ago (Polytrack); goes well here and is one of the likelier winners.

7/1

2nd

1

(2)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

15:20 Lingfield (AW)

Bajan Bandit

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

Disappointed on his reappearance in June but he's been running well in three starts since the visor was applied, most recently finishing third of 11 in a 0-75 at Haydock (7f, good) 13 days ago; drops in grade with good claims.

4/1

3rd

11

(6)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 5

20:38 Haydock

Bajan Bandit

8st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

He's run pretty well in this visor on his last two starts, last time 3l second of 12 at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW); however, he's back up into a 0-75 here and has won just one of his last 29 races; may again be vulnerable.

11/1

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

4th

5

(2)

14th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

14:54 Leicester

Spec Of Light

9st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Tony Forbes

Runner-up on stable debut at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in February but unable to get competitive since; latest start was a rare turf race and (poor form in this sphere) and overall score is 1-19.

20/1

8th

3

(7)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:40 Nottingham

Spec Of Light

10st 0lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: Tony Forbes

Runner-up on stable debut at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in February but unable to get competitive since and needs something extra today.

33/1

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

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

9th

10

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:17 Southwell (AW)

Soames Forsyte

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

Four-time course winner who'll be happier back on Tapeta; now 6lb lower than when going in over C&D early in the year but needs a revival.

20/1

5th

6

(6)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

15:45 Pontefract

Soames Forsyte

8st 11lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Has had more AW than turf success; has gained both wins in this sphere at Nottingham (8.5f on good/good to soft); only midfield when returned to grass last time; others have stronger claims.

7/1

6th

2

(2)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

15:50 Carlisle

Soames Forsyte

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Michael Herrington

Popped up at Southwell (1m) off a 2lb higher mark in January; the odd good run since but he needs to bounce back from a lacklustre AW run last month.

14/1

+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