The second Friday Night Live meeting is almost guaranteed to attract more attention than the others combined. The build-up to the action at Southwell has been hotly anticipated.
GG tipster Matty Sutcliffe is on hand to provide his best bets on the card, including a selection against Constitution Hill.
Southwell Racing Tips (Friday 20 February)
Nine races take place at Southwell on Friday evening. The 7.30 is the feature, with Matty having three top tips on the card.
6:00 Southwell – Friday Night Live With SBK Handicap (Class 5) (4yo+ 0-70) – Mumayaz 9/2 1pt WIN
Habitual slow starter Mumayaz looks to have been well placed here by James Owen, returning to a 0-70 for the first time since his last success which was a comfortable one length victory over course and distance in November.
The nine-time winner has won three times around here including off this mark around this time last year when with Tony Carroll and has caught the eye in rear of late. He’s 2lbs lower than his length third at Chelmsford over five furlongs last month when faring best of those to come from rear, and now he’s back over six furlongs with the successful visor reapplied he looks to have a strong chance with David Egan in the saddle for the first time.
6:30 Southwell – Betting Without The Bull Handicap (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-85) – Monks Dream 10/1 1pt EW 4 places
Having rattled the crossbar on a number of occasions since his last success in March 2025, Monks Dream belatedly returned to the winners enclosure earlier this month with a cosy one-length victory at Newcastle.
He’s held his form well since being equipped with a hood over five furlongs here in December, staying on well from rear with a subsequent winner in third and fifth. He then came from rear off a slow pace at Newcastle when again staying on well behind the progressive Heavenly Heather who was only beaten two lengths in class two company next time out and 3/4L into second in a valuable 28k contest last time out.
Despite spending the majority of his career racing over five furlongs, he’s shaped of late as if six furlongs will suit and returning to this trip for the first time since last February when beaten half a length can see him show up strongly provided they stick with more forcing tactics.
7:30 Southwell – SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Square Necker 7/4 2pt WIN
Every man and his dog would love to see Constitution Hill win this but there’s no sentiment in punting and Square Necker should be a clear favourite here.
The Zarak gelding was beaten 3/4L when third on debut at Doncaster last March having caught the eye running green throughout, finishing just behind runners now rated 87 and 104. He bettered that effort on yard debut at Dundalk in December when making most of the running to beat the 93 rated Nuit by three lengths giving her 5lbs.
He’s a half-brother to the talented Presage Nocturne who was beaten a length in last years G1 Caulfield Cup along with listed placed Titanium and on all known form, including a proven ability to handle the surface, he should take the world of beating here unless Constitution Hill can transfer his peak ability to the level.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
6:00 Southwell – Friday Night Live With SBK Handicap (Class 5) (4yo+ 0-70) – Mumayaz 9/2 1pt WIN
6:30 Southwell – Betting Without The Bull Handicap (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-85) – Monks Dream 10/1 1pt EW 4 places
7:30 Southwell – SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Square Necker 7/4 2pt WIN
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Southwell on Friday 20 February.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s Saturday horse racing tips were published at 6.37pm on Thursday 19 February.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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