Thursday 15th October 2026
5.00 Southwell – (Class 4 Handicap) (1m)
This is a decent and highly competitive affair for a Southwell handicap, and it may pay to side with the Andrew Balding-trained MAGIC TRIP, who’s set to be ridden by PJ McDonald here. He was a winner on debut at Bath over twelve months ago, and whilst he hasn’t managed to get his head in front since, when struggling in handicap company in the early stages of the season, he’s posted two encouraing efforts in his last two outings after a break.
He travelled well at Sandown on his penultimate outing in August; however, he met trouble in running that day before keeping on well to finish second behind a winner who had already set sail for home. Most recently, he finished third over course and distance last month, coming from a less-than-promising position, which can be tricky at Southwell, yet he stayed on in eye-catching fashion. Both of those runs suggested that he can bag a handicap at this level, and off a pound lower mark, he has every chance here.
A case could be made for the majority of the lineup here, as several are looking well-handicapped. Island Bear won at Leicester on his penultimate start off a three-pound lower mark, and looks solid once again after another good run at Yarmouth last time out. The unexposed Nursia is open to significant improvement following a much better effort at Bath last time out when finishing second on just his second start within handicap company. A mention can also be given to Peel Park, who’s not been beaten far at Doncaster and Yarmouth in his last two starts, and is a pound lower here for Roger Varian.
Selection: Magic Trip – (4/1) (Each-Way)
