Southern National Runners 2025: Big field likely for Fontwell marathon

21 runners are left in the running for the second running of the Southern National at Fontwell on Sunday, 16th November. The race is the latest in the series of “National” contests run up and down the country and was won in its inaugural running by Unanswered Prayers.

Chris Gordon’s charge is back to defend his title 12 months on. He is just 1lb higher in the handicap than when winning last season and was a close fifth on his return at Cheltenham last month. Freddie Gordon’s claim is 2lb less than a year ago, but will surely be utilised again aboard the nine-year-old.

Rivalling him for favouritism are two prospective runners for James Owen. Ivane has won three of his last six races and is yet to finish outside of the first three when remaining upright for Owen. He was a winner over 3m5f at Sedgefield two starts back, so clearly stays, while Shantou Lucky beat his stablemate last time to take his record for Owen to five wins in six races. He has gone up 42lb in the handicap since joining the yard.

JP McManus loves owning an improving handicapper and one such example is Aworkinprogress. Trained by Nick Gifford, the six-year-old is unbeaten over fences, winning on all four chase starts, each over just short of 3m. He will need soft ground to be at his best however.

Deep Purple could represent a notable yard as Dan Skelton’s only entrant, while Paul Nicholls and Olly Murphy also have one apiece in Ken Roy and Gold Clermont respectively.

2025 Southern National Runners