Southwell - Fri 13 Mar 2026
SKIP TO VICTORY took a big step forward when runner-up over C&D last time. Denied by only a head, the winner is now rated 81, and that looks strong form in this context. Von Trotter is also going the right way based on his good effort here in December. He can make his presence felt and is preferred to Wolverhampton third La Belle Forest and the more exposed Whiskey Kisses.
Seven Fires made all to land a maiden race over 6f here last month, while Early Release also made every yard when successful at Kempton recently. It's plausible that pair could take each other on for the lead and that could play into the hands of the in-form SHALAA ASKER. The latter landed a brace on the Tapeta at the start of the year and can race off the same mark as when narrowly beaten over C&D on Tuesday.
Legal Reform won a division of this last year and looks likely to have a say in proceedings once again. However, his recent third here suggests he's high enough in the weights now and it could pay to stick with DOWN TO THE KID. The latter has won three of his last four starts over C&D and a 2lb rise for his latest success may not be enough to anchor him. Eminency is preferred to Diamondonthehill of the rest.
FILLY ONE looks a strong contender in here and won't have to improve much on her latest second, when beaten a mere head, in order to strike. Her all-weather form is solid and she gets a confident vote ahead of Brazilian Rose, who has held her form well all year. Pixie Diva has an absence to overcome but is also of interest.
Plenty of improving three-year-olds go to post for this competitive sprint and just a tentative vote is for GHOST MODE, who won a Chester maiden and was extremely unlucky when headed on the post at York last time. He should have a lot more to offer this year, likewise Jungle Ruler, who performed better than his finishing position suggests at Lingfield and is a C&D winner. Saffron Dandy and Grey Horizon are noted too.
MARRY THE NIGHT might take a bit of beating in his present mood. He seems to have improved again this year judged on wins at this track and a 5lb penalty for the latter of those triumphs nine days ago might not be enough to halt his progress. Asian Journey was beaten just a head into second latest and is expected to go well, while Relevant Range completes the shortlist.
Fornido is the only course winner in this field after scoring over this trip in October last year, but that remains his sole victory from 11 starts and might have to settle for a place. Therefore, the vote goes to FORGLEN, who finished fast and late to score by a head at Wolverhampton last month. Only upped 3lb for that effort, he may be able to follow up. Marine completes the shortlist.
Lednikov is a standing dish here with five victories from 16 starts, but they have been over shorter and he could prove vulnerable as a result. Hickton steps up in trip after a win over 1m4f here when last seen in October and is likely to go close, but a chance is taken on ITSGOTTOBEFUN. Third at Wolverhampton on his only try at this distance last month, he races off the same mark and could surprise them all.
There's surely more to come from Karl Burke's LA BELLE FOREST, who was too keen in a pair of starts as a juvenile but now drops to the minimum trip. She may also have benefited from the 125-day break and, given she cost 165,000gns, she'll surely rate higher yet. Skip To Victory improved on her debut effort when a 40-1 second at Southwell last time and an further progress can see her go close. Von Trotter, runner-up on both starts, including dropped to this trip last time, is third choice and should at least reach a place once more.
There's surely more to come from the progressive SEVEN FIRES who got off the mark in good style at Newcastle last time, showing improved form, now has a tongue-tie added for her handicap debut. She could be a bit better than a mark of 70 suggests. Early Release, winner of a Kempton handicap 11 days ago, is penalised now but looks a solid alternative to the selection. Third choice is reliable veteran Shalaa Asker, who doesn't have anything in hand off his current mark but continues in rock-solid form.
Michael Herrington won a division of this last season with Legal Reform and he enters this year's race in good form. He is 9lb higher this time around however and it might be that stablemate DOWN TO THE KID is the better option. The selection has three of his last four starts, all over C&D, and he's taken just a 2lb rise for his latest succss. King Of Ithaca, another who likes it here, hasn't been at his best the last twice and is still 4lb above his last winning mark but he's certainly capable of going well for his good yard.
FILLY ONE looks a solid choice here having returned from a break to win at Newcastle in November and followed that up with a good second over C&D last time. She's 1lb higher now but is progressive enough to cope with a small rise. Pixie Diva is unexposed and retains plenty of potential, the only nagging doubt being whether she's fit enough for this return. Brazilian Rose has had three runs over 7f since winning over C&D in February and she's of definite interest dropping in trip.
A good-quality handicap that can go to GHOST MODE, who is the only one of these without a recent run but brings good turf form having last been seen finishing a close second in a 14-runner handicap over 7f at York when last seen in September. He tends to race keenly and should proved just as effective on this trip to sprinting. Monarch's Gold shaped better than the result at Newcastle last time, being done no favours at the start, and the return to this venue looks in his favour having won well over C&D the time before. Alvin is improving so could have a say upped in grade but his last-time-out win came dropped to 5f.
Asian Journey remains a maiden having been unable to convert when travelling like the winner here last time but he still looks on a good mark and can go well again. RELEVANT RANGE is a better alternative having won over C&D in January and run a rock-solid race from this mark in a handicap last time, finding only one too good. His rider claims a handy 5lb. Marry The Night has won three times over C&D since November, including last time, but a penalty asks more of him this time. He can still go well.
FORNIDO was a bit too keen over C&D last time but he was a winner here back in October and still looks fairly weighted off 3lb higher. He gets on well for this rider also. Spaceage Love Song looks a threat if settling better than last time on what was his first try at this trip. He's shaped in the past as though it would suit. Karismatique returned to form when staying on late over 12f here last time and he's of some interest also upped in trip if building on that.
This can go to HICKTON, who has won two of his last three starts, including over 12f at the course last time, and surely has more to offer from a 5lb higher mark on this return with his yard going well. Knight Of Magic is a solid alternative, stepping back up in trip, although he can race too keenly and isn't open to the progress of the selection. Itsgottobefun is third choice having returned to form when placed at a big price at Wolverhampton last time. He needs to build on it though.
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