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Southwell Racing Tips & Predictions - Thursday 26th March 2026

Southwell Racing Tips & Predictions - Thursday 26th March 2026

Southwell Racing Tips & Predictions – Thursday 26th March 2026

Southwell racing tips for Thursday focus on a seven-race all-weather card on Tapeta (Standard), with racing kicking off at 14:07 and finishing at 17:07. You’ll get race-by-race selections, a live odds snapshot, and the key course angles that actually move the needle at this venue.

Southwell is a track where specialist profiles matter: today’s runners include a genuine course winner in Brother Dave (3 wins from 10 at Southwell; 30% strike rate) plus a cluster of reliable place horses such as Mademoiselle Belle (placed 2/3 here; 66.67% place rate) and Francesi (placed 4/6 here; 66.67% place rate). On the human side, this is also a strong course-jockey day: Hector Crouch operates at 21.94% win and 44.39% place at Southwell, while Jason Hart brings volume and efficiency (88 wins from 707; 12.45%).

For more track detail, see our Southwell racecourse guide. Below: Southwell predictions race by race, with the Southwell odds comparison tables pulled from major firms.

Going & Conditions

All seven races are on TAPETA: STANDARD at Southwell. With conditions uniform across the card, the edge tends to come from proven course operators and connections who consistently deliver here: among today’s trainers, Brian Ellison is striking at 16.40% (112 wins from 683) and Andrew Balding at 15.59% (41 from 263) at Southwell.

Tipster Performance at Southwell (last 2 years)

Here’s how the headline tipsters have performed at Southwell over the last two years (strike rates based on win %; selections excluding non-runners are reflected in strike rate in the underlying dataset).

TipsterNapsWinsWin %Level Stakes
Robin Goodfellow331030.30%n/a
Newsboy44920.45%n/a
Templegate28621.43%n/a

Note: “Level stakes” isn’t provided in this dataset for naps performance; we therefore don’t publish a number.

14:07 – Midnite A Next Generation Betting App Handicap

Race Details: 5f | Class 6 | TAPETA: STANDARD | Flat | 12 runners

This is a full 12-runner 3yo sprint handicap where the market expects a tight finish: the top three in the odds are separated by a couple of points in most books. From a Southwell perspective, there’s one runner with qualifying course experience (3+ runs): Mademoiselle Belle (0-3 but 66.67% placed), which is relevant in a low-grade sprint where track familiarity can be decisive. Jockey/trainer angles are strong: Richard Spencer operates at 16.36% at Southwell, and Billy Loughnane’s overall Southwell record is 37 wins from 269 (13.75%).

Top Selections

1. Enter Sandman – 11/4 (3.75) ⭐

Jockey: Billy Loughnane | Trainer: Richard Spencer
Form: 066-43 | OR: 66 | Topspeed: 50
Draw: 5 | Weight: 133

Enter Sandman is the market anchor and the profile is backed by Southwell connection data: Spencer is operating at 16.36% here (18/110) and Loughnane at 13.75% (37/269). In a 12-runner Class 6 sprint where small margins matter, that trainer/jockey course base is a meaningful positive. He’s also competitively rated (OR 66) for the grade and sits near the top on speed figures among the field (topspeed 50).

Best Odds: 11/4 (3.75) with Midnite / bet365 / BetMGM / BetUK
Recommended Bet: Win

2. Mythical Night – 10/3 (4.33)

Jockey: David Probert | Trainer: Dylan Cunha
Form: 26-823 | OR: 66 | Topspeed: 54
Draw: 1 | Weight: 130

Mythical Night is a solid alternative on raw figures: topspeed 54 places him right at the top end of this field. Probert’s Southwell record is strong (56 wins from 447; 12.53%) and Cunha’s yard is also efficient at the track (12.50%, 8/64). If you want a bet with fewer unknowns than the deeper outsiders, this is a numbers-backed play at a price that still makes sense.

Best Odds: 10/3 (4.33) with betfair / BetVictor / BoyleSports / Sky Bet (others 7/2)
Recommended Bet: Win

3. Mademoiselle Belle – 9/2 (5.50)

Jockey: Ben Robinson | Trainer: Brian Ellison
Form: 329163 | OR: 67 | Topspeed: 59
Draw: 6 | Weight: 134

She’s the standout course-exposed runner in the field: 3 runs at Southwell and 2 places (66.67%). That matters in a low-grade dash where some lightly-raced types can fail to travel or handle the track. Ellison is a high-performing Southwell trainer (112 wins from 683; 16.40%). Add a strong topspeed of 59 (best in this field) and she’s a credible each-way angle if the market holds.

Best Odds: 9/2 (5.50) with bet365 / Midnite (others 4/1)
Recommended Bet: Each-Way (check final EW terms; most firms 1/5 1-4 here)

Live Odds Comparison

HorseBet365Paddy PowerWilliam HillBetfairBest Odds
Enter Sandman3/13/13/13/111/4
Mythical Night9/210/37/210/310/3
Mademoiselle Belle9/24/14/14/19/2
Life After Love4/118/57/218/54/1
Mad Dash4/15/15/15/111/2

Betting Strategy

Win: Enter Sandman (best price 11/4) — strong course-performance base from trainer (16.36% here) and jockey (13.75%).
Each-way: Mademoiselle Belle at 9/2 — 2 places from 3 at Southwell (66.67%).
Danger: Life After Love is prominent in the market at 4/1 but has no qualifying course stats (under 3 runs at Southwell).

Tipster Selections

TipsterSelectionOdds
TemplegateMythical Night10/3
Robin Goodfellow
Newsboy

Consensus: Only Templegate is on this race (Mythical Night); no split across the main names.


14:37 – Midnite, Building The Future Of Betting Handicap

Race Details: 1m6f | Class 5 | TAPETA: STANDARD | Flat | 6 runners

A compact 6-runner staying handicap where the market is extremely firm on St Faz (best price 4/6). From a pure probabilities perspective, this is the clearest “short one” on the Southwell card. If you’re looking to oppose, you need a runner with track evidence: Prince Quattro has a Southwell win on the board (1/5; 20%) and has placed 3/5 (60%), while Francesi has a strong Southwell place profile (4 places from 6; 66.67%).

Top Selections

1. St Faz – 4/6 (1.67) ⭐

Jockey: Oisin McSweeney | Trainer: Adrian Paul Keatley
Form: 6/0-11 | OR: 89 | Topspeed: 69
Draw: 1 | Weight: 132

The market is telling you this is close to a “must-win”, and the figures support dominance: official rating 89 is clear top in the field. If you’re building multiples, this is the leg most aligned with the data and the prices. Tipsters beyond our headline list have also piled in on this race (multiple independent naps on St Faz today).

Best Odds: 4/6 (1.67) with bet365 / betfair / Paddy Power / Sky Bet / William Hill
Recommended Bet: Win (banker)

2. Prince Quattro – 6/1 (7.00)

Jockey: Mason Paetel | Trainer: James Owen
Form: 377542 | OR: 85 | Topspeed: 77
Draw: 5 | Weight: 129

The best Southwell-specific alternative: 1 win from 5 here (20%) and 3 places (60%). Paetel is also a capable Southwell jockey (6/37; 16.22%). If St Faz underperforms, Prince Quattro is the one with both course evidence and speed capacity (topspeed 77, best in this field).

Best Odds: 6/1 (7.00) with bet365 / Betfred / William Hill
Recommended Bet: Each-Way (market permitting; only 6 runners so check place terms)

Live Odds Comparison

HorseBet365Paddy PowerWilliam HillBetfairBest Odds
St Faz4/64/64/64/64/6
Prince Quattro6/16/16/111/26/1
Appier11/211/211/211/26/1
Green Team8/16/111/211/28/1

Tipster Selections

No naps recorded today from Templegate/Newsboy/Robin Goodfellow for this specific race. (Other publications have selected St Faz.)


15:07 – Bet £10 Get £40 With BetMGM Classified Stakes

Race Details: 1m | Class 6 | TAPETA: STANDARD | Flat | 12 runners

This is where the course data gets loud. The field contains Brother Dave, a genuine Southwell operator: 3 wins from 10 (30%) and placed 6/10 (60%). In a 12-runner classified, that kind of track-record is a tangible edge. Also note the runner-up course angle: Spirit Of Bowland has 2 wins from 11 at Southwell (18.18%) and sits in the mid-market.

Top Selections

1. Brother Dave – 5/1 (6.00) ⭐

Jockey: James Sullivan | Trainer: Ruth Carr
Form: 6-1243 | OR: 60 | Topspeed: 45
Draw: 6 | Weight: 135

This is the day’s cleanest course-stat bet: 3 wins from 10 at Southwell (30%) plus a 60% place rate. The market has him around 9/2–5/1, which is playable given that most of his rivals lack comparable course output. While Sullivan’s Southwell win rate is lower (17/244; 6.97%), the horse’s own course profile is the headline driver here.

Best Odds: 5/1 (6.00) with bet365 / William Hill (others 9/2)
Recommended Bet: Win (or Each-Way if 4 places are offered; standard terms here are often 1/5 1-4 in 12-runner fields)

2. Bitacora – 9/2 (5.50)

Jockey: Jason Hart | Trainer: Daragh Bourke
Form: /9818- | OR: 61 | Topspeed: n/a
Draw: 12 | Weight: 135

Bitacora is prominent in the market and brings a strong Southwell jockey: Hart is 88/707 here (12.45%) and is consistently placed (place rate 34.09%). Bourke’s sample at Southwell is small (1/13; 7.69%) but with a healthy place rate (46.15%). He’s a fair “form/market” alternative if you want to split stake against the course specialist.

Best Odds: 9/2 (5.50) with bet365
Recommended Bet: Win

3. Spirit Of Bowland – 11/2 (6.50)

Jockey: Callum Rodriguez | Trainer: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay
Form: -33535 | OR: 61 | Topspeed: 45
Draw: 4 | Weight: 135

Another proven Southwell performer: 2 wins from 11 at the track (18.18%) with a fair place record. Trainer stats at Southwell are strong for this stable: 3 wins from 16 (18.75%) and a 56.25% place rate. Rodriguez is also a reliable Southwell jockey (34/251; 13.55% win, 41.43% place). That’s a lot of track-fit for a mid-price.

Best Odds: 11/2 (6.50) with bet365
Recommended Bet: Each-Way

Live Odds Comparison

HorseBet365Paddy PowerWilliam HillBetfairBest Odds
Bitacora9/23/13/111/49/2
Brother Dave5/19/25/19/25/1
Spirit Of Bowland11/211/25/111/211/2
Sir Maxi8/110/19/19/18/1
Sold Out11/211/211/25/111/2

Tipster Selections

TipsterSelectionOdds
Templegate
Newsboy
Robin Goodfellow

Consensus: No selections from the three headline tipsters in this race. (Other sources have naps on this card.)


15:37 – Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Race Details: 1m | Class 4 | TAPETA: STANDARD | Flat | 11 runners

The odds say this revolves around Crest Of Fire (best price 4/6) and the market gap to the second pick is huge. Importantly, there are no runners in this maiden with qualifying course experience (3+ Southwell runs) in today’s dataset, so we lean on the market plus the connections’ Southwell record: Andrew Balding is 15.59% at Southwell, Hugo Palmer 15.11%, and George Boughey 19.49%.

Top Selections

1. Crest Of Fire – 4/6 (1.67) ⭐

Jockey: David Probert | Trainer: Jack Channon
Form: 52432- | OR: 85 | Topspeed: n/a
Draw: 3 | Weight: 125

The market is aggressive and it’s hard to argue. Probert is a strong Southwell jockey (56/447; 12.53%) and the horse is comfortably the highest-rated runner (OR 85) in the field. In a race where most rivals are priced double-digits, the cleanest angle is to treat this as a win-only banker rather than get cute.

Best Odds: 4/6 (1.67) with bet365
Recommended Bet: Win (banker)

2. Powder Monkey – 4/1 (5.00)

Jockey: Billy Loughnane | Trainer: George Boughey
Form: 2 | OR: 78 | Topspeed: 59
Draw: 8 | Weight: 125

The clear “best of the rest” on a mixture of performance numbers and Southwell trainer data: Boughey is 38 wins from 195 here (19.49%). Loughnane also brings a strong Southwell baseline (13.75%). If Crest Of Fire falters, Powder Monkey has the course-proven yard behind him and a meaningful topspeed (59).

Best Odds: 4/1 (5.00) with bet365
Recommended Bet: Each-Way (terms typically 1/5 1-3 in 11-runner races)

Live Odds Comparison

HorseBet365Paddy PowerWilliam HillBetfairBest Odds
Crest Of Fire4/68/138/154/74/6
Powder Monkey4/110/37/210/34/1
King Of Berkshire11/26/16/16/111/2

Tipster Selections

No naps recorded today from Templegate/Newsboy/Robin Goodfellow for this race.


16:07 – Win £250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap

Race Details: 7f | Class 6 | TAPETA: STANDARD | Flat | 12 runners

A deep 12-runner 3yo handicap with a strong tipster pointer: Robin Goodfellow is on Fickle McSelfish, who is also the clear favourite at 11/4. From a course-stat perspective, none of the runners in this race appear in the qualifying horse course table (3+ Southwell runs), so we lean on connection strength: David Nolan is 28/249 here (11.24%) and the Coyle/Wood stable has a strong 32.26% Southwell place rate despite being winless (0/31).

Top Selections

1. Fickle McSelfish – 11/4 (3.75) ⭐

Jockey: David Nolan | Trainer: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood
Form: 9-7451 | OR: 69 | Topspeed: 56
Draw: 12 | Weight: 133

This is the strongest “alignment” bet on the card: favourite in a competitive handicap and the only headline-tipster selection at the meeting (Robin Goodfellow). Nolan’s Southwell record is solid (28 wins from 249; 11.24%) and the horse’s ratings put him right at the top end for the grade (OR 69) with a competitive topspeed (56). If you’re playing Southwell racing tips today on a single, this is one of the cleaner routes.

Best Odds: 11/4 (3.75) with bet365 / betfred / BetMGM / BetUK
Recommended Bet: Win

2. Popty Ping – 4/1 (5.00)

Jockey: Mark Winn | Trainer: David O’Meara
Form: 2-4626 | OR: 62 | Topspeed: 56
Draw: 1 | Weight: 135

Popty Ping is consistently near the front of the market and gets a price edge at bet365. O’Meara is a reliable Southwell trainer (67/533; 12.57%) and the horse has a topspeed of 56 matching the favourite. If you want a saver against Fickle McSelfish, the combination of draw 1 and a proven Southwell trainer makes him the sensible alternative.

Best Odds: 4/1 (5.00) with bet365
Recommended Bet: Win / Saver

3. Quick Quasar – 6/1 (7.00)

Jockey: Hollie Doyle | Trainer: Archie Watson
Form: 5-70 | OR: 68 | Topspeed: 46
Draw: 9 | Weight: 135

Doyle and Watson are both productive at Southwell: Doyle is 52/417 (12.47%) and Watson 42/290 (14.48%). That’s a stronger course baseline than many at this level. He’s not the topspeed standout, but at 6/1 you’re buying connection efficiency at the venue.

Best Odds: 6/1 (7.00) with bet365
Recommended Bet: Each-Way (often 1/5 1-4 in 12-runner handicaps)

Live Odds Comparison

HorseBet365Paddy PowerWilliam HillBetfairBest Odds
Fickle McSelfish11/43/13/13/111/4
Popty Ping4/13/17/23/14/1
Quick Quasar6/19/24/19/26/1
Maximum Velocity4/14/14/19/24/1
Akrivos5/19/25/19/25/1

Tipster Selections

TipsterSelectionOdds
Robin GoodfellowFickle McSelfish11/4
Templegate
Newsboy

Consensus: Robin Goodfellow is the only one of the big three on the card, and it’s on the favourite.


16:37 – Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap

Race Details: 6f | Class 4 | TAPETA: STANDARD | Flat | 8 runners

A sharp 3yo 6f handicap with a competitive top of market: Start Me Up is shortest at best 5/2, with Riley Rocks next at best 10/3. Note: Hvar is a declared Non Runner in the racecard feed and is also priced NR in the odds. No horse in this field appears in the 3+ Southwell-runs table, so focus on trainer/jockey course performance: Archie Watson is 14.48% at Southwell and Hollie Doyle is 12.47%.

Top Selections

1. Start Me Up – 5/2 (3.50) ⭐

Jockey: Billy Loughnane | Trainer: Richard Spencer
Form: 325-07 | OR: 83 | Topspeed: 23
Draw: 3 | Weight: 132

The market favourite and backed by strong Southwell connections: Spencer is 16.36% at this track and Loughnane 13.75%. In an 8-runner handicap where you often get tactical positioning, those connection strike rates matter more than they do in huge fields. He also sits close to the top on rating (OR 83).

Best Odds: 5/2 (3.50) with bet365 / Midnite
Recommended Bet: Win

2. Riley Rocks – 10/3 (4.33)

Jockey: David Probert | Trainer: Dylan Cunha
Form: 4-1 | OR: 80 | Topspeed: 57
Draw: 4 | Weight: 130

Riley Rocks has the best raw speed figure among the market principals (topspeed 57). Probert is a strong Southwell jockey (56/447; 12.53%) and Cunha is 12.50% here. This is also the only race on the card where today’s naps feed shows multiple sources selecting the same horse (other publications have him as a nap today).

Best Odds: 10/3 (4.33) with bet365 / William Hill (Paddy Power 7/2)
Recommended Bet: Win

Live Odds Comparison

HorseBet365Paddy PowerWilliam HillBetfairBest Odds
Start Me Up5/22/115/815/85/2
Riley Rocks10/37/210/316/510/3
Numero Vingt7/216/57/27/27/2
Wyle Cop7/24/14/14/14/1

Tipster Selections

No naps recorded today from Templegate/Newsboy/Robin Goodfellow for this race.


17:07 – Midnite: Built For 2026 Not 2006 Handicap

Race Details: 6f | Class 6 | TAPETA: STANDARD | Flat | 10 runners

We finish with a 10-runner sprint handicap where the course angles matter more than usual: there are several runners with deep Southwell history, including Blackjack (19 course runs) and Good Earth (6 course runs, including a win). The market is led by Beelzebub at best 5/2, but the value debate is whether the proven Southwell runners are overpriced.

Top Selections

1. Beelzebub – 5/2 (3.50) ⭐

Jockey: Billy Loughnane | Trainer: David Loughnane
Form: 8-7644 | OR: 76 | Topspeed: 62
Draw: 6 | Weight: 128

Beelzebub is favourite with a solid figure base (OR 76) and strong Southwell connections: Billy Loughnane is 13.75% at the track and David Loughnane is 13.88% (29/209). The market strength is backed by credible course efficiency on both sides of the saddle, which is ideal in this grade.

Best Odds: 5/2 (3.50) with bet365
Recommended Bet: Win

2. Good Earth – 8/1 (9.00)

Jockey: Connor Planas | Trainer: Michael Herrington
Form: 8-4186 | OR: 77 | Topspeed: 57
Draw: 4 | Weight: 133

Good Earth is the race’s most interesting course-value play: 1 win from 6 at Southwell (16.67%). Planas has a positive Southwell win rate (7/58; 12.07%) and Herrington is also efficient at the track (55/432; 12.73%). At 8/1–17/2 in places, you’re getting a runner with a genuine history of handling the venue.

Best Odds: 8/1 (9.00) with bet365 / BetMGM / BetUK / multiple books
Recommended Bet: Each-Way

3. Blackjack – 12/1 (13.00)

Jockey: Sean Kirrane | Trainer: Alan Brown
Form: 46-490 | OR: 74 | Topspeed: 71
Draw: 2 | Weight: 134

If you’re hunting a bigger price with track evidence, Blackjack is the grinder: 19 runs at Southwell, with 3 wins (15.79%) and 8 places (42.11%). He also owns a strong topspeed figure (71) which is right up there in this field. At 12/1, it’s a pure course/figure play.

Best Odds: 12/1 (13.00) with betfair / betfred / Paddy Power
Recommended Bet: Each-Way

Live Odds Comparison

HorseBet365Paddy PowerWilliam HillBetfairBest Odds
Beelzebub5/22/19/42/15/2
Good Earth8/19/117/29/18/1
Blackjack14/112/112/112/114/1
Travel Agent9/18/18/115/29/1

Tipster Selections

No naps recorded today from Templegate/Newsboy/Robin Goodfellow for this race.


Course Specialists Running Today

Horses To Note

These are the strongest Southwell course specialists in today’s fields (minimum 3 prior course runs).

HorseRunsWinsWin %Place %Racing In
Brother Dave10330.00%60.00%15:07
Prince Quattro5120.00%60.00%14:37
Spirit Of Bowland11218.18%36.36%15:07
Good Earth6116.67%16.67%17:07
Blackjack19315.79%42.11%17:07

Jockeys To Note

Southwell is a track where proven jockey records matter; these riders are the standout win-rate performers among those riding today.

JockeyRidesWinsWin %Place %Mounts Today
Myla Coppins4125.00%25.00%2
Hector Crouch1964321.94%44.39%1
Mason Paetel37616.22%35.14%1
Jack Mitchell3054715.41%40.66%1
J F Egan1892814.81%35.98%1

Trainers To Note

These trainers have the strongest Southwell strike rates among today’s runners (min 3 course runs historically).

TrainerRunnersWinsWin %Place %Entries Today
Dan Horsford5120.00%60.00%1
George Boughey1953819.49%41.03%1
James Owen2494718.88%47.39%1
Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay16318.75%56.25%1
Ollie Sangster791417.72%32.91%1

Summary & Best Bets

Today’s Southwell racing tips revolve around clear market leaders in two races and one standout course specialist in the 15:07.

  • NAP of the Day: Brother Dave (15:07) — 3 wins from 10 at Southwell (30%) and placed 60%, in a 12-runner classified where course reliability is gold.
  • Banker for Accumulators: Crest Of Fire (15:37) — OR 85 clear best in the field and priced accordingly (best 4/6).
  • Best Value Bet: Good Earth (17:07) at 8/1 — a course winner (1/6 at Southwell) with trainer and jockey both operating at ~12%+ win at the track.
  • Each-Way Special: Mademoiselle Belle (14:07) at 9/2 — placed 2/3 at Southwell (66.67%).
  • Tipster-Backed Angle: Fickle McSelfish (16:07) — the card’s headline nap from Robin Goodfellow and favourite at 11/4.

FAQ

What time does racing start at Southwell today?

Racing starts at 14:07 at Southwell, with 7 races scheduled.

What is the going at Southwell today?

The going is TAPETA: STANDARD across the card.

Who are the top trainers at Southwell?

Among today’s trainers with strong Southwell strike rates, George Boughey is operating at 19.49% at the track and James Owen at 18.88% (course records shown above).

What are your best bets at Southwell today?

Our top Southwell predictions are Brother Dave (15:07) based on a 30% course win rate and Crest Of Fire (15:37) as the clear ratings leader and market favourite.

Where can I find the best odds for Southwell races?

We publish a live odds comparison table in each race section above, showing prices from major bookmakers and the current best available odds.

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