1.22 Southwell – Newark Advertiser Apprentice Handicap (Class 6, 3yo+, 6f17y, AW)

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Pace Angles:
There is no confirmed front-runner here, but several like to sit handy: Golden Prosperity, So Grateful, Piperstown, and Diligent Henry are all capable of pressing the pace. Expect an even gallop with no strong pace pressure evident.

Draw Angles:
Low to middle draws (stalls 1–6) are typically fine at Southwell over 6f. With no rail bias in play, draw is neutral.


Strongest Contenders, Dangers & Outsiders

Strongest Contenders:

  • PiperstownProgressive. Lightly raced and already a three-time winner this year, with narrow margins in his wins masking potential upside. Handles the surface well, stays the trip, and has shown late pace efficiency. Just 1lb above his last winning mark and returns fresh after a short break.
  • Golden ProsperityProven. C&D winner on penultimate start and arrives in form. Has tactical speed and the right apprentice up. Peak RPR 56 matches the class ceiling and he handles Tapeta well. Drawn wide (12) but has early pace to overcome it.
  • So GratefulProven. Effective at the track and won over the trip in May. Best form on AW, and now back to that surface after two poor turf runs. He’s well-handicapped again and drawn okay in 5.

Main Dangers:

  • Diligent HenryPromising. Blinkers re-applied and he’s often shaped as if still retaining ability; soft ground excuses latest effort. Wolverhampton win earlier this season came with blinkers, and now refitted, he could bounce back under a 100% rtf% trainer.
  • GlendownUnreliable but dangerous if on song. Strong Timeform RPRs (3× 71s in 2025) but completely out of sorts last time. C&D winner with a positive low draw; depends entirely on mood. Risk/reward profile.

Interesting Outsiders:

  • PoetUnreliable. Inconsistent but did run on late at Newcastle and may be best fresh. A late-closing style not ideal in this field, but has shown he’s capable with the right pace collapse.
  • Captain PicklesLightly raced 3yo. Handicap mark on a downward trajectory. Never dangerous but better than the bare result at Doncaster in June.

Hold-up Risks:

  • Poet, Captain Pickles, and Yorkshire Myth are all reliant on the race falling apart, and could be compromised if the pace isn’t strong.

Runner Scores & Suitability

  • Piperstown: 8.5/10 – Trip and surface ideal; drawn fine; unexposed at 6f; should go well.
  • Golden Prosperity: 8/10 – In form, proven at C&D, good apprentice booked.
  • So Grateful: 7.5/10 – AW record strong, back on the right surface, small field suits.
  • Diligent Henry: 7/10 – Blinkers back on, C&D second in June; worth another chance.
  • Glendown: 6.5/10 – Talented on his day but unreliable; drawn well in 1.
  • Poet: 6/10 – Capable at this level but inconsistent and draw doesn’t help.
  • Captain Pickles: 5.5/10 – Still finding his way, but not fully exposed.
  • Yorkshire Myth: 5/10 – Weak form but blinkers on could spark improvement.
  • Sally Anne’s Dream: 4.5/10 – Repeatedly well held, poor figures, draw not ideal.
  • Six Of Diamonds: 4.5/10 – Lightly raced but showing little.
  • Up The Monk: 4/10 – Has regressed with every run and trainer struggling to ignite.
  • Dancing With Drums: 3.5/10 – Shown little to date; total unknown on AW.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.


Each-Way Angles (12 Runners)

  • Diligent Henry (9-13b, drawn 6): Blinkers back on, strong AW form in headgear earlier.
  • Poet (9-9, drawn 10): Inconsistent but shape of previous run suggests he could place if things fall right.

Private Tissue Estimate

  • Piperstown – 3/1
  • Golden Prosperity – 9/2
  • So Grateful – 5/1
  • Diligent Henry – 13/2
  • Glendown – 7/1
  • Poet – 10/1
  • Captain Pickles – 12/1
  • Yorkshire Myth – 14/1
  • Sally Anne’s Dream – 20/1
  • Six Of Diamonds – 20/1
  • Up The Monk – 25/1
  • Dancing With Drums – 40/1

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.


Summary + Professional Punter View (Smart Play)

A low-grade sprint but not without interest. Several have track form or are dropping back to their optimal surface. With the pace looking even and no confirmed front-runner, this may favour those who can race handily and kick off the turn.

Smart Play:

  • Win Selection: Piperstown – quietly progressive, stays the trip strongly, and well-handicapped on peak efforts.
  • Each-Way Saver: Diligent Henry – strong headgear angle, capable of better; blinkers back on a positive.

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