Southwell Tips: Tuesday 2 June 2026

Southwell Tips: Tuesday 2 June 2026

A seven-race card at Southwell on good ground with light rain in the air. Nothing to set the pulse racing on paper, but there are a few genuine angles worth pressing here. Small fields dominate, so the money is in identifying the right horses rather than chasing each-way returns. Sean Bowen and James Bowen are both on duty and their respective course records at Southwell demand attention throughout.

2:30 — Free Race Evening Thursday 18th June Handicap Chase (2m, Good)

Five runners, good ground, and a clear market leader in Vocito at evens with Olly Murphy holding a 23% strike rate at this course. Evens is short enough, but the angle is compelling. Murphy’s yard has been red hot over the last 14 days (4 wins from 11 runners), and Sean Bowen brings his 23% course win rate to the partnership. That is not a coincidence, that is a yard firing and a jockey who knows every bend on this track.

Vocito won convincingly over hurdles at Uttoxeter nine days ago on good ground, which is exactly the going he faces again today. He returns to fences only 2lb higher than when he last won in this sphere back in November 2024, so the handicapper has not hammered him. He jumps well enough, the trip suits, and the form is live.

Selection: Vocito (Evens, Betfred/LiveScore Bet) with Sean Bowen up for the in-form Murphy yard. This is as clear a play as you will find on this card.

At 10/3, Pep Talking is the main danger. Bold-jumping front-runner, Gavin Sheehan booked (17% course win rate), and proven over 2m at Chepstow on comparable going in April. If Vocito has any chase rust after switching back from hurdles, Pep Talking could exploit it. Worth a saver at the price if you want cover.

4:00 — Summer Fun At Southwell Maiden Hurdle (2m4½f, Good)

Six runners in what looks a genuinely open maiden hurdle. The market has Way Maker at 13/8 favourite under James Bowen, and the case is reasonable. Dual bumper winner, promising hurdles debut at Perth when third of 13 with the nearest finish, and the step up to 2m4f looks like it suits this son of Walk In The Park. James Bowen carries a 17% course strike rate here and Mickey Bowen’s yard has been in fine form (6 wins from 24 over the last fortnight).

That said, at 13/8 the margin for error is slim when Katarcice at 2/1 with Fergal O’Brien sits right underneath him in the market. Katarcice was runner-up on hurdling debut at Huntingdon and then went agonisingly close in a match over this very trip (2m4f) last month. Consistent, improving, and suited by the distance. O’Brien has an 18% course win rate at Southwell, though his recent 14-day form (3 from 26) is moderate.

Kingofthefrontier at 10/3 is also worth a mention. Winning pointer who ran on strongly for third on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter last month, and his handler specifically noted the longer trip as a plus. He is bred for stamina and this is only his second start under rules.

Selection: Way Maker (13/8, Boyle Sports/Betfred/LiveScore Bet). The form, the yard stats, and the jockey-course combination add up. Katarcice is the biggest threat and the race could turn into a match between these two.

5:00 — Enhance Your Race Day Handicap Hurdle (2m, Good)

Five runners and a market that has gone very short on Captain Cool at 11/10. The logic is there: reverts to hurdles off a 5lb lower mark after winning twice over fences at Plumpton, and reliable form figures of U22-11 show a horse in confident mood right now. Jennie Candlish has been busy (4 wins from 32 in 14 days) and Sean Quinlan is an able pilot.

The problem with 11/10 in a five-runner handicap hurdle on a Tuesday at Southwell is that there is almost no margin for error. One sticky hurdle, one traffic issue, and you are losing at odds-on. This is the kind of race where the layers get it right.

Scottish Anthem at 5/1 with Stuart Edmunds represents a more attractive proposition. Edmunds holds a 19% win rate at this course with an A/E of 1.12, which is the only trainer here actually beating expectation at Southwell. His 14-day form reads 1 from 2. Scottish Anthem is lightly raced over hurdles, ran a solid fifth on his debut for the yard at Warwick 40 days ago, and now gets cheekpieces for his handicap debut. Handicap debuts with new headgear from a Southwell-friendly trainer at a price is an angle worth backing.

Selection: Captain Cool (11/10, Boyle Sports/Betfred) is the banker play if you want reliability, but Scottish Anthem at 5/1 (Boyle Sports/Betfred) is the value angle. Small stakes on Anthem each-way covers both outcomes nicely given the five-runner field only pays two places.

Today’s NAP

Vocito — Free Race Evening Thursday 18th June Handicap Chase (2:30, Southwell)
Odds: Evens — Betfred/LiveScore Bet (others: Evens BoyleSports)

Olly Murphy’s yard is firing at 4 wins from 11 runners over the past fortnight and his 23% course strike rate at Southwell is the best of any trainer on this card. Vocito won convincingly on good ground at Uttoxeter just nine days ago and returns to fences only 2lb above his last winning chase mark, a small ask for a horse clearly in form. Sean Bowen takes over and his 23% course record here makes this the standout combination of the day. Short enough at evens, but the angles stack up from every direction.