Date: Saturday, 7th February 2026
Race: 7.30 Southwell – BetMGM Tandridge Stakes (Listed)
Surface: Tapeta
The Saturday night feature comes from Southwell, and we have a cracked renewal of the Listed Tandridge Stakes. A field of seven goes to post over the mile, and while the quantity is manageable, the quality is concentrated at the top of the market.
We are looking at a classic “Up-and-Comer” vs “Established Guard” scenario. The Official Ratings suggest a tight affair—with the top two rated 108 and the next best at 105—but the form book points in one specific direction.
The Pace Map
Dear My Friend is the likely architect of the pace. Charlie Johnston’s runner loves to bowl along in front (“made all”, “led 2f out” in run comments), and Callum Shepherd will likely try to turn this into a test of stamina from the get-go. However, his recent form (0853004) suggests he is vulnerable at the business end when the closers engage overdrive.
The Contenders
1. Chancellor (4yo | John & Thady Gosden | Robert Havlin)
This 4-year-old is the one they all have to beat. He arrives here off the back of a career-best effort at Kempton 28 days ago, where he was narrowly denied (beaten a neck) in similar Listed company. That run earned him a rating of 108, putting him level with the best in this field, but crucially, he is still on an upward curve.
The Gosden/Havlin axis is lethal at Southwell. The stats sheet shows this combination operating at a 43% strike rate with a massive level stakes profit. He travels strongly, can sit handy off the pace set by Dear My Friend, and has the gears to quicken on this Tapeta surface.
6. Tyrrhenian Sea (8yo | Roger Varian | Jack Mitchell)
The main danger. A stalwart of the All-Weather scene, he is also rated 108. He was agonizingly close (beaten a short head) in a Listed contest at Lingfield recently over 10 furlongs. The drop back to a mile is an interesting move by Varian. He has plenty of speed, but at 8 years old, conceding weight-for-age equivalents to a sharp improver like Chancellor is a big ask. He will be running on, but might just lack that explosive change of gear he once possessed.
7. Witch Hunter (7yo | Richard Hannon | Sean Levey)
Arrives in winning form having taken a Class 2 Handicap at Newcastle three weeks ago. He’s a hold-up performer who needs a frantic gallop to aim at. While he is capable (OR 105), the transition from Handicap to Listed company is often harder than it looks on paper, especially when you can’t rely on the race collapsing in front of you.
4. Storm Star (5yo | Andrew Balding | Jason Watson)
A progressive type who has won three of his last seven, but an Official Rating of 99 leaves him roughly 9lbs to find with the principles. In Listed company, that is a chasm to bridge at level weights. Likely playing for a place.
The Verdict
The market will be tight, but Chancellor ticks every box. He has the form, the rating, the trainer stats, and the progression on his side.
He should get a lovely tow into the race from Dear My Friend. Expect Havlin to stalk the pace and unleash him inside the final furlong. Tyrrhenian Sea will keep him honest, but the younger legs should prevail.
Selection: Chancellor
Danger: Tyrrhenian Sea