UK Horse Racing Tips: Southwell

LA BELLE FOREST has already made up into a better three-year-old and was professional in getting the job done over C&D on her return to the fray. An initial mark of 72 looks very workable as she moves into handicap company. Alfa Duplicate supplemented her track-and-trip defeat of Call Margot when digging deep at Newcastle, while Naana's Shadow has joined the Katie Scott team and should have plenty more to offer in 2026.
Prediction : 1st La Belle Forest 2nd Alfa Duplicate 3rd Naanas Shadow

Vinciamo's odds-on defeat at Newcastle may not have been as disappointing as first appeared because the winner has gone in again since. The form of Skip To Victory's C&D third behind La Belle Forest is put to the test in the first race on today's card and Dylan Cunha's filly has the edge in experience. Even so, it was difficult not to be taken with AY UP DUCK's introduction when chasing home a 92-rated winner off level weights here. The cut back from 7f is a slight concern, but he didn't seem devoid of pace and can take the necessary step forward.
Prediction : 1st Ay Up Duck 2nd Skip To Victory 3rd Vinciamo

A busy winter campaign is showing no sign of catching up with Fidelius and he registered his third victory since November when landing the odds at Lingfield. He was beaten by SPRING IS SPRUNG on his last visit to Southwell, though, and Paul Midgley's sprinter can confirm that superiority on marginally better terms, having finished a fair fourth here subsequently. Hiya Maite saves his best for this venue and a couple of efforts around the turn of the year showed there are still races to be won with him.
Prediction : 1st Spring Is Sprung 2nd Fidelius 3rd Hiya Maite

POLLY DARLING accounted for multiple subsequent winners when scoring on her debut at Thirsk last April. The 12-month break is a slight concern, but Karl Burke's filly looks the one to beat. Got The Booty took a big step forward from her introduction when second at Kempton in September and she could be the main danger. The rest all need to improve, but Jumeirah Sands is the pick of them.
Prediction : 1st Polly Darling 2nd Got The Booty 3rd Jumeirah Sands

Cases can be made for all of these, but marginal preference is for PEAKY BLINDER. Andrew Balding's unexposed gelding put in a career best when winning over 1m6f at Redcar on his final start last season and a 5lb rise may underestimate him. The in-form Carlton has bolted up over hurdles since his Chelmsford victory in February and he is an obvious threat. Adjuvant is often highly tried and should not be discounted at this level.
Prediction : 1st Peaky Blinder 2nd Carlton 3rd Adjuvant

Star Studied can be forgiven his return at Wolverhampton last month as he finished lame and it wouldn't be a surprise if James Tate's entire bounced back on this occasion. However, the recent consistency of DOWN TO THE KID gives him the edge. The seven-year-old has finished in the first three on his last six appearances here and the return to a mile is unlikely to be an inconvenience. Eldrickjones and Silver Trumpet complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Down To The Kid 2nd Star Studied 3rd Eldrickjones

Electrocution has held his form well since scoring at Wolverhampton, with placed efforts at Kempton and Chelmsford. He is expected to be in the mix once again, but preference is for DASH OF CLASS. She ran with credit when fourth on her handicap debut last month and is entitled to step forward from that display. Lady Of Clover and Violet Goldsmith are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Dash Of Class 2nd Electrocution 3rd Lady Of Clover