Today / 15.17 Southwell (AW)

15.17

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Festive Fixtures At Southwell Racecourse Handicap

  • Prize money: £3768.48
  • 1m 0f 13y
  • Class 6
  • 14 runners
SKY
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Festive Fixtures At Southwell Racecourse Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

Form: 013475 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Made all when winning over C&D off 2lb lower in the spring; had a couple of wide draws to deal with since but has landed another here, which could leave him vulnerable late.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(2)

19th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 5

17:30 Carlisle

Avatar Jet

9st 12lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Prominent racer; made all at Southwell (1m) in April; some fair runs in defeat since but he could face competition for the lead and others are more appealing for win purposes.

12/1

7th

6

(12)

23rd Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:53 Southwell (AW)

Avatar Jet

9st 9lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Declan Carroll

Had 7f form in Ireland but that was two years ago and his course win came over 1m in April (made all) on second start for this yard; no advance on that form in two runs since but perhaps the return to this trip will improve his options.

7/1

Form: 791072 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent gelding who has his moods and always been capable of fluffing the start; one of his better efforts a month ago, switched from cheekpieces to second-time blinkers, but is not guaranteed to repeat the dose.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(9)

30th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Volto Di Medusa

9st 10lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jack Jones

Twice well beaten off this mark since winning narrowly at Lingfield (1m, Polytrack) last month; can blow the start; blinkers return, but risky.

14/1

7th

1

(4)

8th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:20 Kempton (AW)

Volto Di Medusa

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jack Jones

Resumed winning ways at Lingfield (1m, AW) in June but scuppered his chance (not for first time) with a very slow start when beating one at Wolverhampton (8.5f) since.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 862614 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Decent record over C&D but lacks consistency and there's little room for manoeuvre off this mark (Doncaster win last month came off 3lb lower); others hold stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(2)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

14:35 Nottingham

Relevant Range

9st 3lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Gained his second win on turf when landing a Doncaster handicap under Elle-May Croot 12 days ago, bouncing back from a lesser effort; can't be dismissed off this 4lb higher mark.

5/2

1st

5

(1)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

20:25 Doncaster

Relevant Range

9st 9lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

1-27 on turf; has a chance on his head second at Musselburgh in June (1m, good) but well beaten back on the AW last time.

12/1

Form: 183155 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Always liked it here but is high in the weights currently and hasn't convinced over this longer trip in a few attempts; needs to bounce back from a couple of lesser efforts on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(9)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

17:25 Yarmouth

Rusheen Boy

10st 1lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Went up 5lb for winning a match over C&D (soft) last month and was well held off this mark at Nottingham (1m, good to firm) last time; others look better treated.

7/1

5th

1

(4)

25th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

11:30 Nottingham

Rusheen Boy

9st 12lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Six-time winner (6f/7f), including when coming out on top in a match race under Joe Bradnam at Yarmouth (7f, soft) two weeks ago; has form on the AW over 1m but a 5lb rise for that latest success demands a bit more.

7/2

Form: 548666 BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 800692 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Newcastle win this time last year came off a 7lb higher mark; well backed on the drop to this company at Carlisle a few weeks ago, when faring much better, and is one to consider (likely to be dropped in as usual from the outside stall).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(6)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

14:45 Carlisle

Izzari

10st 0lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

A dual 1m/1m2f winner in 2025; largely below par this season though and only ninth of 12 in 1m Newcastle handicap last time; others appeal more.

10/1

9th

12

(14)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Izzari

8st 11lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Dual winner (including here) in 2025 but his more recent turf form is much less encouraging; needs to bounce back returned to Tapeta.

40/1

Form: 6/4-6

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Only run three times in the space of two years, finishing well held for her new yard (picked up for 2,000gns) back from a lengthy absence over C&D a fortnight ago; this more realistic and worth a market check but she'll need a big step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(8)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

15:10 Southwell (AW)

Peaceful Spirit

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Lawrence Mullaney

She wasn't far away in a C&D maiden on second run in April 2025 on what proved her final race for Karl Burke; left that yard for 2,000gns.

66/1

4th

7

(5)

4th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

16:45 Southwell (AW)

Peaceful Spirit

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Prominent in the betting for her debut at Haydock last August (7f, good to firm) but looked in need of the experience, beaten 5l into sixth; bred to do much better in time.

12/1

Form: -06057

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Went backwards for Clive Cox and the slide has continued for his current yard; ran over 5f last time and is hard to recommend, back in the hood, coming right back up in trip on his Tapeta debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(5)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:04 Newmarket (July)

Aspull

8st 13lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Phil McEntee

Left Clive Cox after beginning this campaign with two poor runs (1m/7f), and there has been no upturn after two starts for new stable (6f/7f); drops to 5f with huge amount to prove.

50/1

5th

5

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Newmarket (July)

Aspull

9st 11lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Phil McEntee

Started out by recording useful form on first three starts for Clive Cox but the wheels came off subsequently; 150-1 for his stable debut when weakening to be beaten 15l over 6f here last Friday; big transformation required just eight days on but slipping mark makes him worth a market check.

40/1

Form: -58434 CD BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Best known for his Newcastle work but goes well here too; consistent enough and the handicapper has given him a chance, back on the AW and given another try without the usual hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(6)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Newmarket (July)

Just Typical

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Ran respectably, albeit without being able to justify favouritism, at Chepstow latest start and is back on last winning mark; however, he's a quirky sort who comes with some risk; steps back up in class.

13/2

3rd

1

(1)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

20:11 Chepstow

Just Typical

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Five of his six wins have come on AW; didn't look straightforward without usual hood or tongue-tie (back on here) when fourth of seven at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) 12 days ago; two things in his favour here are that he is the only distance winner in the field and this represents a drop in grade, so he needs to be considered seriously.

11/8

Form: 455065 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

Form: 685232 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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: 94-657

Last run: 103 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far over C&D off 4lb higher in the spring, but has been absent for a few months since a poor one next time (undergone wind surgery during that time); needs to find more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(4)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

18:40 Yarmouth

Special Breeze

9st 0lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Pam Sly

She has not been beaten far in two handicaps at around 1m this spring, keeping on for a 2l fifth at Southwell three weeks ago; still has some potential and stepping up to 1m2f could unlock it.

8/1

5th

9

(5)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

16:05 Southwell (AW)

Special Breeze

9st 1lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Pam Sly

Ran okay when 5l fourth of five in C&D novice last September and it was her first run since when beaten only about 3l in sixth of ten on handicap debut at Beverley (8.4f, turf) a fortnight ago; her pedigree provides optimism that she'll have more to offer and she could be a contender.

11/1

Form: 714411 C

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Got the winning habit this season, winning narrowly four times, including here, and going 11lb up the weights; they all came in 0-50 and 0-55 company but it wouldn't be a shock to see him complete the hat-trick back from a two-month break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 6

20:30 Windsor

Aim For The Bull

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Mike Murphy

Pretty consistent since the cheekpieces returned in November and the three wins in that period include 11-runner race at Brighton (1m, good to firm) last time; back up another 2lb and has to be considered.

11/4

Form: 6-3145 CD

Last run: 104 days

W: 9st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner, latterly off 4lb lower in the spring; switches from a visor to first-time cheekpieces back from a few months off and the new headgear will need to eke out a bit more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(5)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 135y

Class 6

15:10 Lingfield

Mr Fustic

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Andi Brown

Six wins from 37 starts, the most recent success coming at Southwell (1m, AW) in March; ran respectably here on the AW 19 days ago, taking his form figures since the visor was applied to 314, but he's 0-7 on turf.

13/2

4th

12

(7)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

17:07 Lingfield (AW)

Mr Fustic

9st 1lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Andi Brown

Aided by new visor on his two starts this year, latterly when exploiting a much reduced mark at Southwell (1m) last month; that form has been well advertised by the runner-up since and this C&D also suits; shortlisted.

5/1

Betting Forcast

10/1 Avatar Jet, 7/1 Volto Di Medusa, 16/1 Relevant Range, 16/1 Rusheen Boy, 8/1 Portman Blue, 5/1 Izzari, 16/1 Peaceful Spirit, 33/1 Aspull, 5/1 Just Typical, 20/1 Soames Forsyte, 7/1 Bajan Bandit, 16/1 Special Breeze, 6/1 Aim For The Bull, 25/1 Mr Fustic

Verdict

Having come 10lb down the weights this season, dual Tapeta winner IZZARI showed much more when well supported on turf last time and should get this run to suit in a big field. Bajan Bandit also arrives on a fair mark and is second choice, ahead of Aim For The Bull, who returns from a short break.[Graham Wheldon]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Bajan Bandit

Telegraph:

Aim For The Bull

The Times:

Peaceful Spirit

POSTDATA:

Volto Di Medusa

SPOTLIGHT:

Izzari

The Guardian:

Just Typical

Daily Mail:

Avatar Jet

NEWMARKET:

Mr Fustic

The Star:

Aim For The Bull

D Express:

Peaceful Spirit

Daily Mirror:

Volto Di Medusa

The Sun:

Bajan Bandit

Daily Record:

Bajan Bandit