17:00 Southwell

Friday 21 November 2025

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Read Meg Nicholls Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 1m 40.52s

(5)

Billyb^p⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: P J McDonald| T: Craig Lidster| OR: 84| CD

9/2

Big-field handicap winner in July who finished fifth of 19 in handicap at York (20/1) 41 days ago, racing off the pace and plugging on late. Previous C&D winner who should be a factor at this level.

Form: 313735

(1)

Borgi²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: R Havlin| T: S Woods| OR: 82| CD

13/2

Solid performer on AW, with good efforts on last four runs. Fourth of 11 in handicap at Kempton (13/2) 23 days ago, staying on late after being caught further back than ideal. Should remain competitive at this course where has won previously.

Form: 964534

(8)

Rajapour¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Mark Winn| T: D O'Meara| OR: 78| D

9/1

Winless for this yard but took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 10 in handicap at Chelmsford City (7/2) 15 days ago, plugging on without threatening. Needs to build on that to end drought,

Form: 255005

(3)

Bowood¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Elle-May Croot⁽⁵⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 78| D

13/2

Arrives in pursuit of a hat-trick following a brace a Newcastle wins this autumn,14 days ago, dwelling early before making smooth headway and drawing clear under hands-and-heels ride. Should continue to give a good account on AW but mark is up and waiting tactics harder to pull off here.

Form: 663411

(7)

Special Ghaiyyath⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: J Tate| OR: 79| D

9/4

Won maiden at Beverley then followed up in 8-runner handicap at Haydock (10/1) 76 days ago, showing improved form despite being friendless in betting starting out for new yard. Progressive profile suggests more to offer.

Form: 322411

(2)

Golden Pharaoh^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K T O'Neill| T: S Dixon| OR: 76

13/2

Won at Ffos Las in September and ran season-best when second of 21 in handicap at Doncaster (16/1) 13 days ago. Recent form all on heavy turf but he's effective on the AW.

Form: 903142

(4)

Almekarem²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 78

20/1

Won a novice over 8.6f at Wolverhampton in September. Ninth of 11 in handicap at Kempton (22/1) 23 days ago where he raced freely and never landed a blow.

Form: 53109

(6)

Eve's Boy³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: M Dods| OR: 76

12/1

Inconsistent sort who bounced back when third of 8 in handicap at Newcastle (9/1) 35 days ago, raced off the pace but finished nearest at the finish. Player if replicating that run.

Form: 458753

(9)

Gressington^b²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Kaiya Fraser| T: K Scott| OR: 73| C

50/1

Stepped up markedly on stable debut when second of 7 in handicap at Newcastle (25/1) 20 days ago with blinkers refitted, staying on well to confirm stamina for 1m. Needs considering.

Form: 458902

(10)

Optimatum^p²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: George Wood| T: B R Millman| OR: 70| D

16/1

Second of 10 in handicap over C&D (16/1) 29 days ago, ridden patiently and looking more straightforward despite losing battle to the line. First run for new trainer and wouldn't be sure to be in the same mood.

Form: 132572

Forecasts

Special Ghaiyyath (9/4), Billyb (9/2), Golden Pharaoh (13/2), Borgi (13/2), Bowood (13/2), Rajapour (9/1), Eve's Boy (12/1), Optimatum (16/1), Almekarem (20/1), Gressington (50/1)

BORGI is a consistent AW performer who stuck to his task to finished fourth despite being caught too far back at Kempton last time and on that evidence, he's sure to go well. Bowood arrives in excellent form having won back-to-back races at Newcastle and rates a big danger despite his revised mark. Billyb, another C&D winner, should be in the mix again.