Southwell (AW), Sunday 5th April 2026 — Standard Going

Southwell (AW), Sunday 5th April 2026 — Standard Going

Seven races on the Fibresand at Southwell today, and Standard going suits those with proven all-weather form. Three races stand out as genuinely priceable, with Marco Botti's yard running hot at 4/11 over the last fortnight and Richard Hannon also in decent nick at 5/30. Those trainer stats carry real weight on a card like this.

2:31 — Heggs Family Handicap (7f, 3yo, 8 runners)

Selection: French Affair at 5/2 (Bet365) or 9/4 (William Hill)

This is the standout pick of the afternoon. Richard Hannon has fired in 5 winners from 30 runners over the last 14 days, which is a yard operating at full tilt heading into the spring campaign. French Affair brings the joint-highest RPR in the field at 92, and the form reads 1324-2: consistent, front-running profile with a second last time out. Joe Leavy takes the ride and Hannon regularly targets Southwell's 7f for his 3yo types coming back from winter breaks.

The concern is whether 5/2 represents value in a field of eight. It does, when you look at the opposition. Colori Forever (13/8 favourite) has run just three times and the form figures of 152 are fine, but Marco Botti's yard fires best when they have more to work with. French Affair has been around the track more, handled various conditions, and the step back from a mile suits. Loblolly at 9/1 (William Hill) is worth a second look as an each-way flutter given a TS of 88, the best in the race, but the trainer S Woods is 0/5 in the last fortnight and that is a cold yard right now.

Back French Affair to win. This is a straightforward market leader call, but the value case holds when you factor in Hannon's current strike rate against a short-priced rival with minimal form.

3:41 — Ladies Day Sunday 16th August Fillies' Handicap (1m, 6 runners)

Selection: Pendella at 13/8 (Bet365 or Midnite)

Six runners, so no each-way play here, but Pendella looks the one to be on. K R Burke's yard is ticking over at 2/19 in the last 14 days, which is modest in volume terms, but he sends Sam James north to Southwell with purpose. The form reads 2-41: won last time out, placed on debut, and this is a filly who has done nothing but improve with racing.

City Queen (3/1, Bet365) represents the main danger. Charlie Appleby fillies tend to improve sharply second time on the all-weather, and the RPR of 86 puts her right in the mix. But she has a 7lb claimer aboard in Toby Moore and twice finished second without winning. Pendella has already broken her duck and steps up to a mile, which her pedigree should handle. At 13/8, she is a fair price to go back-to-back.

Song N Dance is awkward to assess with Daniel Tudhope booked, but the trainer is winless in five recent starts. Swerve the 50/1 shots and keep it simple: Pendella to win.

4:50 — Book The Bistro Restricted Novice Stakes (1m4f, 9 runners)

Selection: Desert Belle at 5/4 (Bet365)

Sir Mark Prescott is 0/9 over the last 14 days, which sounds alarming, but context matters enormously with Prescott. He prepares horses methodically and often places them in races they can win at the first realistic opportunity. Desert Belle is a 3yo filly who finished second on debut: one run, placed, stepping up in trip for a novice on the all-weather. That is a textbook Prescott blueprint.

The RPR of 74 is solid given she has only run once, and the TS of 55 shows she is getting into her work. Luke Morris keeps the ride, and at 6/5 on Virgin Bet or 5/4 on Bet365, she is a short price but one that is hard to argue against in this company. Pure Moon (5/2, Bet365) is the logical challenger having finished second from one run, but the trainer Tom Clover is 0/4 recently and there is no proven all-weather angle there.

John Galt at 4/1 is the only one with any meaningful form, but four consecutive placed runs without winning is a yellow flag. Desert Belle, fresh and unexposed, gets the vote to land this novice for a trainer who rarely wastes a journey.

Today's NAP