The arctic conditions which befell the country at the turn of the New Year has plagued the sport of horse racing, leaving racecourses and training centres around the country covered in white snow. Thankfully however, the temperature began to rise again, prompting a return to normality with plenty of trainers eager to make up for lost time. 

A seven race at the East Midlands venue of Southwell would take place on the National Hunt turf track with a mixture of hurdle races, chases and a bumper. Groundstaff worked extra hard to defrost the course throughout the week and would be rewarded with healthy field sizes and competitive races. The flat, easy going nature of the track is a fair test for a racehorse and the hurdles and fences don't provide much of a test. Therefore, course specialists can emerge with multiple wins here. 

Race One: The At The Races Expert Tips Handicap Chase - Class Five - Two Miles, Four Furlongs - Runners:

The opening contest would see the chase course in action to begin with and a run-of-the-mill handicap over the intermediate distance of two and a half miles. 

Carrying top weight for this class five event would be Heaven Smart, trained by the locally based Laura Morgan. The nine year old has improved of late since joining his up and coming trainer and went close over course and distance back in October. Since then, he has remained in form with a third at Musselburgh when last seen in action in November. Next up would be Jamie Snowden's seven year old Move With The Beat, who has shown temperament of late. The multiple winning point-to-pointer refused to race two starts, but ran much better last time out where he was challenging until falling at the second last. He has shown that he is talented albeit unpredictable. Flash In The Park would find improvement from out of nowhere last time out to win here over two miles on his latest start, but the Charles and Adam Pogson-trained eight year old has run well at Southwell in the past. The ten year old Begin The Luck remains in form despite his age and is another recent winner in the line-up. Daisy Hitchin's gelding would be rewarded for some placed finishes by taking a last gasp win at Wincanton on Boxing Day. The long absence As Tears Go By would make his first start of the season for trainer David Jeffreys, but he had been performing well when last seen. The eight year old finished in the frame in his last four starts, but was outpaced over two miles on the last of those starts. Evan Williams has a good record at this venue and his first runner of the afternoon would be Ideallko. The eight year old completed a hat trick of wins at the start of last year, but his two starts this season have left a lot to be desired. He still has the ability to bounce back however. The Tom George-trained Zoeman has done well in two starts having missed the entirety of last season. The seven year old remains lightly raced and finished third on both occasions this season and now moves up in distance. Another horse who hasn't seen much racing in recent seasons would be the Fionn McSharry-trained Ceolwulf. The grey ten year old has been running well at this level and was only narrowly denied over course and distance on his latest run in November. River Rider's career has gone backwards since a promising debut effort a few years ago and the six year old is in search of some improvement. Now trained by Sam Allwood, he has finished well held in recent starts and pulled up last time out. The chestnut gelding Nedzor has yet to win so far, but Henry Oliver's seven year old has gone close on numerous occasions. He has also shown race winning potential after two second placings on his two appearances this season. David Bridgwater is an astute trainer of chasers and would be represented by Carpe Diem, who has switched his focus away from point-to-point racing. The eight year old won between the flags last year, but was well beaten in a selling hurdle at Leicester over the festive period. Christian Williams is a shrewd judge when it comes to improving youngsters and he would saddle Ker d'Oudairies here. The six year old only made his debut halfway through last year and has finished no better than fifth, but his better days will be ahead of him. Imperial Pride remains lightly raced for her age, but her career has seen plenty of interruption. David Dennis's mare has won numerous times in the point-to-point scene and was pretty consistent in the earlier phase of her career, but she has failed to complete her last two starts. The grey Martalmix'jac will be popular with punters for his looks and Mel Rowley's nine year old is a solid type at this level. He has placed over much longer distances than this in recent times, but also went very close to winning here at the start of 2025. Completing the line-up would be Pure Surf, trained and owned by permit holder trainer Victor Thompson. The mare won for the first time over fences in a similar contest at Newcastle last April, but her subsequent form has suggested that was a one-off and faces a stiff task here. 

Winner:

Race Two: The Sky Sports Racing Virgin 519 Handicap Chase - Class Four - Three Miles - Runners:

The action would remain over fences, but this time the quality of the race and the distance would rise slightly with a class four contest for staying handicappers over three miles.

The task of carrying top weight here would go to the promising Golan Loop, trained by Warren Greatrex. The six year old finished second on his chase debut here in November, but got off the mark over fences in decent style at Hereford last time out; making it two wins from three starts in total. Olly Murphy would saddle Kilbarry Hill in this contest and the eight year old was heading the right way over hurdles last season with three wins in a row and running at a higher level to this one. His chasing career has been hit and miss so far, placing once but then falling on his latest start at Warwick on New Year's Eve. Evan Williams does well with his chasers and would be represented by Hurricane Highway. The eight year old hasn't gone on from the promise he showed as a novice hurdler, but he has built up some useful experience over fences in recent seasons despite not winning. A second runner for the Olly Murphy yard would be Heard That. The seven year old has some blots on his form book, but looked a nice stayer when winning over three miles in April. Since then, he has pulled up twice this season and has questions to answer on his current form. The once very smart Strategem has now turned ten years old, but has recently joined forces with the relatively new stable of Mickey Bowen. He would finish well beaten in fourth on stable debut in November and needs to find improvement here. Another who is seemingly below his best at the moment is Dan Skelton's Theformismighty. The nine year old won impressively here thirteen months ago and has taken on some better company since then. He has struggled this season, but his rating has dropped down considerably. Fergal O'Brien would send up Lilting Verse from his Cotswolds base and the mare looked very promising at the beginning of her career, but things didn't go as well as hoped. The nine year old made a habit of finishing second during this season, but was never involved on her latest start at Doncaster in November. Tom George would be represented here by Dunstall Rambler, whose form was taken to a new level since switching to fences. The eight year old now has three wins over larger obstacles, but fell at the halfway stage here last time out and was looking to make amends. Always Busy looked to benefit from having a short break as he won impressively over course and distance back in May, but Christian Williams's eight year old was unable to replicate the form afterwards and fell when last seen. He has been away on another break since then, so arrived here a fresh horse. The vastly experienced eleven year old My Bobby Dazzler lined up for the Mel Rowley stable and has enjoyed a good career. This would be a first start over fences since November 2023, so he might appear rusty back over the bigger fences. The training partnership of Charles and Adam Pogson often do well with their small number of horses and would saddle Kayce Dutton in this contest. The eight year old's latest win came in May last year, but he hasn't been at his best in three starts at Southwell this winter. A real course specialist in the field would be Shaun Harris's Ali Star Bert. The ten year old has won at this course five times in his career, including his last two starts. He travelled powerfully and won easily last time out to suggest he has more wins in his locker. Another in form challenger in the line-up would be Jamie Snowden's Roe And Co, who arrives here looking for a potential fourth win in a row. His form has taken off since moving to fences and has shown plenty of heart to win by small margins recently. Completing the line-up would be a second runner for Christian Williams, Rule Me In. The seven year old won for the first time in his career at this venue eleven months ago, but has been beaten a long way in two starts over fences so far this season. 

Winner:

Race Three: The Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 National Hunt Flat Race - Class Five - Two Miles - Runners:

Next up would be a flat race run under National Hunt rules, commonly referred to as a "bumper". Usually these contests take place at the end of the meeting, but the nature of Southwell's track sees this race act as an interlude between the jumping action. This class five would see plenty of well bred individuals who could have a big future in store, facing off against some promising rivals. Alongside the promising equine talents, the race would be held exclusively for conditional and amateur riders who will also put their skill on display here.

Heading the field would be the five year old Arizona Moon, from the Stuart Edmunds stable. The son of Sea Moon has some useful flat horses in his pedigree and would be the first of the debutantes in the field. Paul Nicholls's runners in contests like this often demand plenty of interest and he would introduce Beau Speed here. The five year old gelding is a half brother to the very talented Authorized Speed, so is bred for this task. Horses from the Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore yard often improve with time, but they saddled C'Mon So in this contest. The five year old placed in a point-to-point last season, but appeared to find things happening too quickly in a similar race here a few weeks ago. Fergal O'Brien is another trainer with a good record in these races and was represented by Cool Customer, who has shown potential so far. The point-to-point runner up filled the same spot on his debut here in November and could go closer with natural improvement. Rebecca Menzies has enjoyed plenty of success in both codes at this venue and would rely on Credit Union. The five year old is more bred for the flat, but was well beaten on his debut at Newcastle before the end of last year. Another point-to-point recruit in the line-up would be the Evan Williams-trained Dublinofficecallin. The five year old is a half brother to staying chaser High Class Hero so is bred for stamina, but ran well on debut under rules when fourth at Carlisle. The next newcomer would come in the form of Tom George's Dunstall Star, who hails from a family which connections have enjoyed high class success with. The five year old would make his racecourse debut here, but might be one for a later time. Jockey-turned-trainer Nick Scholfield has made a good start to his new career this season and saddled Elusive Pb in this contest. The son of Elusive Pimpernel is another from a talented jumping family, so this test might be too sharp for him on debut. Olly Murphy's next generation of potential stars could include Eustace Grenier, who lined up for the Warwickshire yard in this contest. The five year old caught the eye on his debut in November where he made pleasing late ground into fourth in a course and distance bumper. Rebecca Menzies would also saddle the six year old Last Man Standing, who improved on a quiet debut last season to take third at Newcastle at the end of November. He has plenty of stamina in the family, so should be able to perform well in this code. Another Yorkshire based stable with a runner would be Sam England with Prince Phil. The five year old is the first foal of a winning hurdler and chaser, but made his debut in what looks to be a warm event. Mickey Bowen is the latest talented member of the Bowen racing dynasty as he makes his name as a trainer. He would be represented by former point-to-pointer Roi Du Roume, who took a while to gain his first win, but did so in hard fought fashion over three miles. This race wouldn't be a true test of his ability though. Don Cantillon's horses are always worth following in bumpers as he has produced high class horses in the past. This time, he would introduce Royal March with potential talent scouts on the lookout. Dan Skelton would be another big name trainer with a runner in this contest, courtesy of Shady Knight. The newly gelded five year old is related to some winners over jumps and could be another with a future ahead of him. The first of the mares in the line-up would be Henry Oliver's point-to-point recruit Britway Belle. The daughter of Getaway is well bred for the job and stayed on strongly to win her only start between the flags ahead of her racecourse debut here. Mickey Bowen would saddle another point-to-point winner in the form of Elderflower Tonic. The five year old shaped with promise on her debut last season, but won pretty impressively on her latest start in November and would face a new test ahead of her debut under rules. Completing the field would be the Alex Hales-trained Skye Glance, who is a full sister to the stable's high class runner Millers Bank. Connections will be hoping that the five year old possesses even half of her brother's ability on track ahead of her debut.

Winner:

Race Four: The Free Bets On Attheraces.com Novices' Hurdle - Class Four - Two Miles, Four Furlongs - Runners:
The theme of looking to the future would continue with the first of two hurdle races for some young and promising horses. This novice event which took place over the intermediate distance of two and a half miles could be the first step on the road towards the big festivals in the spring. 

The partnership of Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies started this year with a big winner at Cheltenham and would look to continue the good form with Hot To Go in this contest. The five year old has shown a tendency to race keenly so far, but held on in brave fashion to win at Leicester on his latest start. Dan Skelton has a talented bunch of hurdlers in his yard and could have another smart one in the form of Le Beau Madrik. The grey five year old has been campaigned at a higher level and made a pleasing hurdles debut by winning at Newcastle in November, quickening up nicely. Yet another winner in the line-up would be Jamie Snowden's Legendary Luke. The point-to-point winner bumped into an exciting prospect on debut in a bumper, but made no mistake when scoring over hurdles at the first time of asking. The excellent dual purpose trainer James Owen would be represented by Red Oak in this contest and the six year old snapped a spell of seconditis by winning smartly at Musselburgh a month ago. The grey Alpha Crus landed his first win back in the summer of last year in a bumper, but has shown minor promise so far over hurdles. Warren Greatrex's five year old was much better on his latest start when third at Catterick over this trip. The gelding Blazing Saint comes from a talented family of chasers, but looked badly in need of the experience on his debut at Hereford. Christian Williams's five year old was beaten a long way that day and might need more time. Another once-raced runner would be the Charlie Longsdon-trained Chemoulin. The five year old doesn't have a flashy pedigree like some of his rivals and could only manage fifth on his debut at Market Rasen last month. Ben Pauling has enjoyed a breakthrough season at the top end of the sport and would be represented by Dropematthestation. A winner of a point-to-point, the six year old has shown a small chunk of ability when fourth in a bumper and hurdle race so far. Paul Nicholls is undergoing a rebuild of his stable talent and would saddle Idaho Fire in this contest. The five year old raced prominently on his debut, but weakened quickly away. A test of jumping could help his cause here. A second runner for the RC Syndicate in the race would be Jukebox King, trained by Mat Nicholls and Kim Bailey. The six year old is related to some very smart sorts from bygone years and won his sole point-to-point start last season. He offered something to work on when fourth at Hereford in December. Another horse with potential to improve in this contest would be Stuart Edmunds's gelding Jury's In. The half brother to some good staying chasers also won his only point-to-point start before finishing a close fourth in a decent contest at Ffos Las on hurdling debut a couple of months ago. Shropshire based trainer Mel Rowley would see his Kastellion line up in this contest and the six year old went close on point-to-point debut last season in second, but has struggled so far in a pair of novice hurdles this season. A second runner for the James Owen team would be the gelding Lawsky, who is beautifully bred for the flat, but was beaten a long way on his recent return to action at Huntingdon; albeit his first start in eighteen months. Yet another runner from the Christian Williams stable would be Manhattan Valley. The six year old won between the flags before switching codes. He has been another to struggle in novice company and looks set to improve once he enters handicaps at a later date. The promising gelding Mr Finch would make his debut under rules for the Ben Pauling stable in this contest. The six year old would stay on into second on his only lifetime start in a point-to-point and has joined a leading stable. A second runner for the Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls stables would be the grey Name Me Nicely. After some quiet runs initially, he would was in the process of running his best race so far until unseating at Doncaster on his latest start. The quirky Off The Jury has been called some names after some near misses in previous seasons, but the seven year old possesses natural ability. Now trained by Mickey Bowen, he has placed twice more this season and deserves a first win at some point. Our Bobby Dazzler is related to his trainer Mel Rowley's stable star My Bobby Dazzler and has shown ability in his own right so far. The six year old has finished in the frame on both starts this season, but has been well beaten on both occasions. Another promising recruit to hurdling would be Seaniecon for the Jonjo & AJ O'Neill stable. The five year old son of St Leger winner Capri finished second on debut in a point-to-point before making a big impression when winning on his next start. Owners Rebel Racing have been hitting the heights on the flat, but would have a rare runner over hurdles with Shotgun Rider. The five year old won cosily on his only point-to-point start before joining the Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies stable. He would chase home a very smart prospect on his hurdling debut at Leicester last month. A second runner for the Jonjo & AJ O'Neill stable would be the unbeaten gelding So Proud. The five year old had to dig deep to win a bumper at Haydock back in May and has since switched from the Don Cantillon stable. Tom Ellis is a trainer usually associated with point-to-point horses, but dipped his toe into national hunt racing with Sutherland. The six year old began life with the Nicky Henderson stable, but has run two decent races for his current trainer including a second here over two miles in December. Evan Williams's horses tend to be good long term prospects and he would saddle Trade War in this contest. The son of Flemensfirth has finished fourth in both his starts at Ffos Las, once in a bumper and the latest over hurdles. Yet another grey horse in the line up would be Fergal O'Brien's Warriors Destiny. The six year old showed mixed form in point-to-points, but has gradually improved with each run over hurdles; the latest of which saw him finish third at Warwick last month. Western George is seemingly well thought of by his trainers Jonjo and AJ O'Neill as he has competed in some strong bumpers, but his run in between at Carlisle showed plenty of promise when a fast finishing third. The first of the mares in the line-up would come in the shape of A Chara, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. The point-to-point winner has shown promise in both starts over hurdles, including over course and distance last time out. Laura Morgan has shown herself to be a shrewd trainer in recent years and would be represented by the mare Annie McGrath. She would run out on her only point start, but didn't offer a great amount on hurdling debut at Catterick just before the New Year. The fascinating runner in the line-up would be Nicky Henderson's French import Macshadow Des Crai. After showing promising with minor place finishes in France, he was pitched into competitive company at Cheltenham and showed plenty of talent on his UK debut.

Winner: 

Race Five: The Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle - Class Four - Two Miles - Runners:

The second of the two novice events would see a winning opportunity for one of the runners in this maiden hurdle over the minimum trip of two miles. Success in this contest could be the start of a promising career, whereas others might come into their own along the handicap route in the future.

Heading the card for this intriguing race would be Alidam, who has recently joined the Sophie Leech stable. The five year old showed promise in France where he placed three times, but struggled on his UK debut when failing to stay a longer distance at Newton Abbot. The Christian Williams-trained Blazing Saint comes from a talented jumping family and held an entry in the stronger novice contest which preceded this race. The five year old struggled to make an impact on his racecourse debut at Hereford recently and looks a longer term prospect. A second runner for Welsh trainer Christian Williams would be Can U Feel It. The five year old has struggled to land a blow in three starts, but his most recent effort caught the eye at Ludlow. The long absent Catch Yourself On would make his first start for the Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies stable, but he had been out of form when last seen. The seven year old struggled in some good maiden hurdles in Ireland and this would be a big drop in trip for his UK debut. Anthony Honeyball has some good young talent coming through his ranks and would saddle Crest Of Stars in this contest. The five year old ran to a good standard in bumpers, winning once, but looked jumped shakily on his first start over hurdles before taking third. Dominic Elsworth is son of the legendary trainer David Elsworth and would look to make his own history with Emerald Breeze. The six year old comes from a well known family of chasers and showed ability in two starts in bumpers, finishing fourth on both occasions. The very smart flat handicapper Fouroneohfever recently switched codes with the Ben Pauling stable and was shaping up nicely until falling close home at Sandown just last week. Olly Murphy's Harbour Island looked an exciting prospect last season when winning two bumpers, but the seven year old has faced up against some high class novice hurdlers this season. Fergal O'Brien would be represented in this contest by Heaven Can Wait, a five year old who has looked in need of the experience in two bumpers so far ahead of his hurdles debut. Ross Burdon is another fresh name on the list of trainers and he would saddle High Point, another ex-Flat runner. The five year old showed plenty of stamina on the level, winning four times, but had excuses when pulling up on hurdling debut at Fakenham. Another runner for the Fergal O'Brien stable would be Is This For Real, who was successful in a valuable bumper last season. Since turning to hurdling this season, the gelding has weakened into fourth on both starts. Olly Murphy would also have multiple interest in this contest, this time with the gelding Jamada. The six year old was successful on his final start in Ireland and shaped with promise on stable debut at Sedgefield earlier in the season, but ran poorly last time out and needed to bounce back. The grey six year old Johnny's Jury has recently moved from Nicky Henderson's stable to Jamie Snowden on the back of a promising debut effort last season. He is also bred to be very smart over hurdles, so could have a good future ahead of him. Yet another runner for the Olly Murphy stable would be Kado Sacree. The point-to-point winner shaped with promise on hurdling debut at Exeter when fourth, but didn't appear to handle the tight nature of Lingfield last time out. The lightly raced five year old Le Fabuleux Buck's has looked a a longer term prospect for the Martin Keighley stable, weakening into a well held fifth over hurdles over course and distance last time out. Warren Greatrex has begun this year in good form and looked for more success with Liam Mera Kai. The five year old looked promising when winning on debut last season and has shown promise on all three starts over hurdles so far, including when going close here last time. Leading trainer Dan Skelton would have an interest here with Lirone du Seuil, who finished second in France but didn't show much on his UK debut when well beaten at Wetherby. A second runner for the Martin Keighley stable would be Lord Virginia. He has shown glimpses of potential so far with two fourth placings in bumpers, the latest of which saw him fade away after a prominent showing. Made All won his fair share of races on the flat for the Sam England and is another who has swapped the flat for hurdling. The five year old was given an educational ride on his debut at Sedgefield when only seventh recently. Another runner for the Christian Williams stable would be Manhattan Valley, who scored on his fourth and final start in point-to-points, but has struggled to get competitive in similar events over hurdles so far. The Owners Group syndicate would be present in full force as their silks were carried by Olly Murphy's Mister Ursus. The five year old was decent on the flat and ran better than his finishing position suggested when fourth at Warwick on hurdling debut. The Olly Murphy runners would continue to come in as Moyganny Phil joined his stablemates in this contest. The six year old hinted at race winning potential in two point-to-points before showing up well over hurdles and weakening into fourth on debut. Another runner for Ben Pauling would be My Fortune. The six year old had been learning the ropes in his first three starts, but fell early into his latest start at Newbury and had plenty to prove now. Leading flat based trainer Charlie Fellowes would have a rare runner over hurdles in the form of Sense Of Reason. The five year old son of Iffraaj won at a low level on the flat, but shaped with promise on his hurdling debut when fourth at Huntingdon. Donald McCain's horses are always worth following for future reference and would be represented here by Siege Of Acres. The five year old should make a chaser in the future, but has finished closer to the protagonists with each start over hurdles. The unbeaten runner in the field would be Jonjo and AJ O'Neilll's new recruit So Proud, who battled hard to win on debut at Haydock back in May, albeit in a bumper. The five year old remains a relatively unknown quantity in this contest. Evan Williams would be represented by the once-raced Sun And Rain. The five year old was always at the tail of the field on debut at Hereford and has since been gelded ahead of his hurdling debut. The training partnership of Josh Guerriero and Oliver Greenall would be represented by the chestnut Supreme Shot. The five year old has yet to finish higher than fifth so far, but his latest start over two miles suggested he may need a longer trip than this in the future. Leading point-to-point trainer Tom Ellis would have an interest in this national hunt contest with the six year old Sutherland. The former Nicky Henderson-trained gelding ran in some good contests last season and took second on his latest start over hurdles over course and distance. Tom Ellis would also saddle The Den Master, who made his debut under rules here. The five year old has shaped with promise in two starts between the flags, but would need the speed to cope with a drop to two miles. The runners would keep on coming as The Egyptian Ginge took his place here for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies. The five year old took a close second on his final bumper start last season and has been highly tried in novice hurdles so far this season. Another runner for Evan Williams would be Trade War, yet another who had the option of racing in the previous novice race over a longer trip. The son of Flemensfirth has raced twice at Ffos Las, taking fourth place in a bumper and over hurdles, shaping like a longer term prospect. Another predominantly flat based trainer trying his hand at the winter game would be Harry Eustace with his runner Trapper John. The modest handicapper on the flat didn't run too badly on his recent hurdles debut, taking a decent fifth at Wincanton a few weeks ago. Another longer term project for the Dan Skelton stable would be Yummy, who has yet to threaten the judge in three starts. The son of Order Of St George has been worryingly tailed off in all three starts to date and his future would be up in the air. A handful of mares would also take their place in the field. The first of them would be Glancing Back for the Emma-Jane Bishop stable. The six year old is a home-bred, but has finished a moderate sixth in both starts so far. Next up would be the Clive Boultbee-Brookes-trained Half Pint Daisy, who needs to show more optimism for her future. Despite a fourth on debut, she was still beaten a long way and fared no better on her latest start at Huntingdon. The four year olds in the line-up gained a healthy weight allowance from their older counterparts which helped to boost their chance. The first of them would be Explode for the up and coming Faye Bramley stable. The smart former flat runner has had excuses for two big defeats in fourth over hurdles, but it is still early days for the gelding. A second runner for the Faye Bramley stable would be Lord Byron, a former inmate of Ballydoyle. The well bred four year old ran a respectable race on his debut when keeping on into second at Exeter last month. Completing the bumper field would be the Pam Sly-trained gelding Paragon. He failed to live up to expectations on the flat and he has now changed yards and focus ahead of his hurdles debut. 

Winner:

Race Six: The Download The At The Races App Mares' Handicap Hurdle - Class Five - Two Miles, Four Furlongs - Runners:

The hurdling action would continue to roll on with a competitive looking handicap for the mares over two and a half miles.

The role of shouldering top weight would fall to Sweet Honey B, who lined up for the Clive Boultbee-Brooks stable. The eight year old has quickly developed into a decent sort in just a short career with a few placings, but unsurprisingly faded out of contention on her latest start which came after a near two year break. She would be joined in the contest by her stablemate Kantagua Du Large. Despite having winning form over fences in France, she hasn't seen much racing in Britain and also had her first run for a while on her latest start when fifth at Wincanton last month. Broadway Honey hasn't set the world alight so far in a handful of starts, but the Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies-trained six year old could be open to improvement now facing lower grade handicaps like this one. Next up would be Kates Choice, who has shown limited form so far. The six year old began her career in Ireland but has recently moved to the Welsh stable of Nikki Evans. She has been well beaten however in her last two starts. Feet On The Ground has taken second spot on a number of occasions during her career, but Fergal O'Brien's mare produced her best effort over course and distance last time out when only caught in the final few metres at the end of November. The Middleham Park Racing syndicate and Nicky Henderson have teamed up with plenty of success in the past and would hope for more of the same with By The Grace. After a brief spell of poor form on track, the seven year old has finished in the frame on her last two starts, although hasn't been seen since March last year. Henry Daly is a trainer who often gets the best out of mares and would rely on Briery Butterfly in this contest. The seven year old has shown gradual improvement of late with three finishes in the frame, all of which came at Ludlow during 2025. The very consistent Voodoo Angel lined up for the Donald McCain stable and a win here wouldn't be out of turn. The seven year old has finished in the top four in all starts since joining her current year, despite not threatening the winner on each of those occasions. Another training partnership with a runner in this contest would be Pearl Smoke from the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero stable. The five year old is bred to better over longer distances, but hasn't quite found form so far and looks to be more of a longer term prospect. A second runner for the Fergal O'Brien yard would be Newmill Getaway, another mare who has gone close to winning recently. The seven year old has improved since moving to the Cotswolds stable this season, finishing second twice and producing almost identical efforts in the process. James Owen has developed a reputation of improving new recruits out of recognition, but he still needs time to work on Keep It Cool. The six year old has placed just once in her career so far and continues to disappoint on track. A second runner for the Henry Daly stable would be the seven year old After Many Days. The chestnut has placed on a number of starts, including here in the past and added to that stat with a second at Hereford earlier in the season. She was unable to back that effort up however on her most recent start. Harthill was a surprise winner of her penultimate start back in late 2023, but David Dennis's mare missed two years of action through injury. She would make a return to the racecourse last month but looked in need of the run. The nine year old Time Was lined up for the Phil Kirby stable and has shown ability in the past, but has also been inconsistent. She hasn't been beaten far when finishing second on three occasions, including at this venue, so just needs to get her nose in front. Another lowly rated mare in the line-up would be Evan Williams's Lyndsey Larue. Despite winning twice in the point-to-point scene, she has struggled to get competitive under rules so far and finished last of three runners on her latest start. Next up came The Last Drop from the Richard Phillips stable. The seven year old has run well over the minimum distance in the past, but has yet to convince at this trip. Despite this however, she hasn't had too many opportunities so far. Another fairly talented mare in the line-up would be Nowyouvebinandunit. Neil Mulholland's nine year old has performed with credit on a number of starts in similar company and over this sort of distance so could be on a handy race winning rating as she continues to find the elusive first win. Completing the line-up would be the modest Dontworrywegotthis, trained by Georgie Howell. The seven year old has struggled to find any form of note throughout her career, despite trying a range of distances. Her highest finish remains a solitary sixth place, so would be a shock winner here.

Winner: