14:00 SouthwellWed 12 Apr 3m Hcap Chs

Arizona Cardinal won on chase debut last October but has been below par in his subsequent two starts. The addition of a tongue-tie may help him regain form, but he will need to improve significantly to win this race.

Debden Bank has won twice over course and distance on good ground and returns to chasing after a below-par run over hurdles in October. He has a decent record when fresh, but his recent form has been inconsistent, and he may find some of the others too strong.

Good Work has finished runner-up in his last five starts over fences and was only narrowly beaten at Warwick three weeks ago. He may struggle on the forecast faster ground but seems likely to give another good account.

Kayf Hernando won by 11 lengths at Taunton in November and ran well to finish third at the same track in December. He has been off for 103 days but is an unexposed chaser and could be a contender if he returns to form.

Lounge Lizard won a handicap chase at Catterick last time out by 9 lengths, making all and wearing first-time blinkers. If he gets into a good rhythm here, he could be hard to catch.

Old Painless won easily on his chase debut in December but unseated his rider last time out at Plumpton. He needs to prove that he can handle the forecast quicker ground and regain form to be competitive.

Shetland Bus won twice on good ground in the autumn but was pulled up on soft ground 12 days ago. He may need the rain to stay away to be seen at his best.

The Mighty Arc won twice last winter but has been disappointing in his last two starts, and his latest wind operation may need to have made a significant difference for him to be a contender.

Tommie Beau won at Plumpton three weeks ago and is consistent over fences, with a record of four wins from 12 starts. He has never won off a mark this high, but he is likely to give a good account of himself.

Overall, Tommie Beau, Lounge Lizard, and Kayf Hernando look like the three horses with the most potential to win. Good Work and Shetland Bus are also worth considering as possible contenders.

14:30 SouthwellWed 12 Apr 2m Nov Hcap Chs

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Since Day One a non-runner.

In Excelsis Deo won his chasing debut at Hereford in December in good fashion but hasn’t replicated that form in two subsequent runs, both over longer distances than today’s. He may appreciate the drop in trip, but he does have something to prove at present.

Thelasthighking is coming off a victory over fences at Wincanton and put in a solid effort in his chasing debut. He looks capable of progressing further as a chaser and could go well again here despite an 8lb rise in weight.

Quid Pro Quo won two races over hurdles last season and has been pulled up in his two chasing attempts. He has dropped 5lb in the weights and may come good soon, but his form over fences is a concern.

Overall, Thelasthighking seems to be the strongest contender in the race, with In Excelsis Deo following closely behind. However, Quid Pro Quo cannot be entirely ruled out as he has potential to improve and could be in with a chance if he puts in a better performance over fences

15:00 SouthwellWed 12 Apr 2m Mares NHF

After Midnight did not disgrace herself on her debut at Warwick but is probably a longer-term prospect. Araglen Star and Looking As You Are are both newcomers, with Araglen Star struggling on her debut and Looking As You Are coming from a stable with a couple of bumper winners this season. Pepite De Amour has a nice pedigree but her stable is not prolific in bumpers, so the market should be the best guide to her chances.

Anna Of Annandale is a half-sister to useful hurdler Master Malt and two bumper winners, and is in good hands, making her appealing on paper. Sister Julienne has posted fair efforts in both of her starts, finishing a close second last time out, while Stuti showed ability when fourth on her debut and should have learned plenty from that.

However, the two horses with the strongest claims are likely to be Fortune Forever and Madam Ryder. Fortune Forever was unsuited by the emphasis on speed when finishing fifth at Warwick in February but improved from her debut effort when third of 18 in a bumper at the same course on her penultimate start. Madam Ryder has a fine pedigree and comes from a yard with an excellent bumper strike rate, making her a strong contender.

Overall, the top three horses with the potential to win are Fortune Forever, Madam Ryder, and Anna Of Annandale, with Sister Julienne and Stuti also in with a chance. After Midnight, Araglen Star, Looking As You Are, and Pepite De Amour are unlikely to win based on their form and pedigree.

15:35 SouthwellWed 12 Apr 2m Mares NHF

1. Little Miss Dante – Shaped like a ready-made winner on debut at Huntingdon and the runner-up has since performed well in listed company. She looks the one to beat in this field.
2. Rogue Queen – Showed promise when runner-up in a 2m bumper at Warwick in November, but failed to progress on her next outing. She still appears to be a strong contender based on her previous form.
3. Jersey Gem – Comes from a good pedigree and looks appealing on paper, with a dam who was a bumper and hurdle winner and several siblings who have been successful in the jumping sphere. The market could provide further clues to her chances.

Other horses to consider for a place include Braunton Burrows, who has a good pedigree and represents a respected yard, and Lizzie Rey, who is a half-sister to the yard’s dual bumper winner Pop Mistress.

Blow The Budget and Bella Madonna both showed some promise on their debut runs, but may need to improve to be competitive in this field. Endless Supply also has potential, but may need more time to develop.

Persian Willow and The Pit Popsy may be best watched on this occasion, with the former being from a yard that has not had much success in bumpers and the latter having put in an inauspicious debut performance.

16:05 SouthwellWed 12 Apr 2m Nov Hcap Hrd

In this 2m Novice Handicap Hurdle, Groom De Cotte has been consistent this season with top-three finishes in all three of his handicap starts. He finished runner-up at Warwick in January and with a similar effort, he can give his running again and be in with a chance of winning.

Shelikesthelights won with more authority than the margin suggested on her previous outing and has shown improvement over hurdles in her two starts for her current yard. She is now stepping up into a handicap and with her current form, she has a good chance of being in the mix.

Dom Perry is a previous bumper winner who won her seasonal and stable debut over hurdles at this C&D in February. She followed up with a good third at Newbury on handicap debut before a bad mistake at the last cost her a higher placing at Ludlow. With the application of a tongue tie, she has the potential to bounce back and be in with a chance of winning.

Pride Of Hawridge was a fair flat racer who placed on his handicap hurdle debut at Huntingdon. He struggled over the longer trip at Fakenham last time, but with a drop back to 2m, he can be considered as a contender.

Superstylin won unchallenged by 14l at Market Rasen a fortnight ago and has shown improvement since switching to handicaps. He can be considered as an open-to-improvement contender.

Casi Crudo won his last start by 11l against his age group at Market Rasen in December, but was only fifth in his last outing. He has done well over hurdles but he will need to show more to be competitive in this handicap race.

Dusky Days NON RUNNER has a mixed record over hurdles and was still in contention before hanging badly left and crashing through the wing of penultimate flight in his last outing. He is unlikely to win unless he can improve his form.

Perryville was unimpressive on his last start at Doncaster after returning from a break, and he is still looking for his first win over hurdles. He may benefit from the drop in trip, but he is not expected to be among the top contenders.

Hashehadhisoatsyet has not been competitive in his previous starts over hurdles, and he is now making his handicap debut. He has a lowly mark and the forecast for quicker ground may help him improve, but he is unlikely to win unless he shows significant improvement.

16:35 SouthwellWed 12 Apr 2m Mdn Hrd

Bugle Major is a fair performer on the Flat and made a promising hurdle debut when finishing third in a Catterick maiden in February. However, he was well beaten in his next outing at Fakenham. Cabhfuilfungi’s form in last season’s British bumper was unimpressive, and he was soundly beaten when upped to 2m7f for his hurdling debut a year ago. Captain Attridge showed some fair form on the Flat in Ireland in 2021, but finished last in an AW handicap for his new stable last month. Commanding View has shown a bit in a couple of bumpers and on his Bangor hurdling debut in February, but he is likely to be brought along with handicaps in mind. Endlesspossibility was well beaten in his only bumper and was too free when sent hurdling at Southwell last month. Even Break has yet to show any encouragement in his two career starts. Great Samourai, a £130,000 recruit from the Irish pointing field, left his hurdling debut form behind in a first-time tongue strap and breathing op when finishing second in a 12-runner maiden at Warwick three weeks ago. Horse Power has shown little promise in his two bumpers/novice hurdles in 2022. Hostile Hotelier, out of a half-sister to smart jumpers Fair Along and Fairyland, was runner-up on his third of three starts in Irish points. Soldat Forte showed fair form when making the frame on both of his bumper outings last summer and should have a future over jumps. Tommouse is a hooded newcomer with an interesting jumping pedigree. Townhill won his sole outing in Irish points, and he shaped with some encouragement on his hurdling bow when fifth in a seven-runner novice at Ascot in February. However, he was unsuited by the drop in trip when well held at Taunton since. Shewearsthewellies has made the frame in both of her starts in Irish points but has been comfortably held in a pair of maiden hurdles, including in a first-time tongue strap last time. Our Scholar was fair on the Flat but offered little on his first outing over hurdles/since leaving John Patrick Murtagh at Market Rasen last month.

Based on the comments, Great Samourai is the standout horse in the race and should be the one to beat. He showed significant improvement in his last race and is expected to improve further. Soldat Forte showed fair form on both of his bumper outings last summer and could be in with a chance here. Hostile Hotelier is a newcomer to the track but has shown some promise in his three starts in Irish points and could be worth watching in the market. Other horses with each-way claims are Cabhfuilfungi, who has some form in an Irish bumper, and Bugle Major, who made a promising debut in a Catterick maiden in February.

17:05 SouthwellWed 12 Apr 3m Hcap Hrd

In this 3m handicap hurdle race, there are several horses with chances to win. Let’s take a closer look at each horse’s form and assess their chances.

Artic Breeze is a winner of an Irish point-to-point, but has not done much in four hurdle starts so far. However, the step up in trip and first-time cheekpieces could help, making him worth a glance in the betting.

Barony Legends is unexposed over 3m, having returned to hurdling after a low-key chasing campaign, and his last run was encouraging, finishing third at Bangor over 2m3f. With today’s ease in grade, he is shortlisted as a top contender.

Czech Her Out has a question mark over fitness after a 232-day layoff. Although she caused a 33-1 surprise at Worcester (2m7f, good) last summer, her subsequent 9lb rise makes this task a tougher one.

Freethinker is another horse coming off a long break, and although he has won consecutive races on good ground at Newcastle (2m6f/2m7f) last February/March, a 397-day absence may have halted his momentum.

Gentleman Valley scored on seasonal debut at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in September and ran well when second at Worcester (2m7f, soft) the following month. Although he didn’t fare as well on his return from a break in February, his form prior to that is promising.

Hillfinch won at Huntingdon (3m1f, soft) two weeks ago after a mid-season dip in form, and he remains unexposed over this sort of trip. He should be fine on today’s forecast quicker ground and is respected.

Kadex won twice over hurdles in France last season and suggested he was ready to exploit some significant help from the British handicapper when second of 15 at Doncaster (3m, good) in January. However, his form has been below par since then, and he now has it all to prove again.

Kingsfort Hill has been soundly beaten in his first two handicap hurdles, but showed significant improvement when second over C&D (good to soft) last month. He remains of strong interest and gets in off the same mark.

Langley Hundred won twice in November under Elizabeth Gale and returned to form with a creditable third at Exeter (2m7f, good) last month. Although he probably needs extra to win here, he is not yet fully exposed.

My Girl Lollipop has yet to win over hurdles, but she returned to form last month with a big race in defeat at Warwick (3m2f, soft). If she is in similar form, she will be a tough nut to crack, and she is only 1lb higher here.

Rocco won the Badger Beers Chase at Wincanton in November 2021, but his form has been disappointing since then. Although he ran well for a long way when fourth at Doncaster (3m, good) in January, he needs to get back on track to be competitive.

Sir Valentine has struggled to get competitive for his new stable this season, but he tries a new trip today. However, with four runs and no impact over hurdles/fences so far, it’s easy enough to look elsewhere.

Overall, the top three horses that have the potential to win are Hillfinch, Kingsfort Hill, and My Girl Lollipop. Barony Legends and Langley Hundred are also in with a chance, while Artic Breeze is an interesting outsider. Czech Her Out, Freethinker, Gentleman Valley, Kadex, Rocco, and Sir Valentine are unlikely.

17:40 SouthwellWed 12 Apr 2m4f Hcap Hrd

Cheer’s Delboy: Doubly unappealing as he’s a thoroughly exposed maiden (0-24) and lacks recent match practice having been off since October; placed on occasions but has clear limitations. Classic Tune: Teenager who was under pressure when hampered on the final bend in C&D event last month (soon pulled up); defied a stone higher mark here in 2020 but still needs to prove he retains that ability. Clean Getaway: Modest maiden who has weak form claims, especially on what he’s shown in handicaps; tumbling mark reflects his profile; others preferred. Coconut Tudor: Ex-Irish maiden; only a modest fifth over C&D last month (second start for new stable) but it was something of a step back in the right direction; dropped a further 5lb and could go well. Lighthouse Mill: Still a maiden and looks far from solid on form (has one standout effort in seven handicap attempts); last three runs poor; opposed. Lough Carra: Still a maiden but has been consistent in the main; has form figures of 2222 in handicaps at 2m3f/2m4f; possibilities back up in distance, with Sam Twiston-Davies on board for the first time. Manofthemoment: Defied a 2lb higher mark over C&D four years ago and subsequently scored twice over fences; however, achieved nothing last month when back from long absence; needs to prove he retains ability. Merveillo: Listed winner on Flat in France; has not transferred that ability to hurdling, most recently tailed off at Chepstow on handicap debut; represents major connections but has something to prove. Miss Wachit: Sole win for Alex Hales came over C&D (good to soft) last June; absent since chase defeat in August but looks interesting back here on debut for new yard (still with same owner); inspect the market signals. Mole Court: Fortunate to open his account at Hereford (2m5f, good) last time out, having been gifted the race when the clear leader took a final-flight fall; however, has an each-way shout off unchanged mark. My Virtue: Good-ground point winner; appeared to post her best rules effort when 150-1 fourth in Ludlow novice hurdle last month; that form may not be reliable but an opening mark of 82 isn’t exactly burdensome. Raqisa: Only a modest sixth over C&D last month when making handicap hurdle debut; however, has the potential for a bigger effort off this mark judged on Flat form; cheekpieces added. Tedwin Hills: Unexposed sort who has raced just four times; ran well in maiden hurdle at Wincanton (1m7f, good) most recently, finishing clear second behind a subsequent scorer; should be suited by this longer distance on handicap debut; respected. The Bandit: Made quite an encouraging handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f) in February; failed to progress at Huntingdon (3m1f; eventually pulled up) since but this drop back in distance may suit. Whenthepennydrops: Six-race maiden who has only bits of encouraging form; however, this combination of drop back in trip and first-time headgear may prompt improvement; represents notable connections and can’t be written off.