Monday Racing Preview: Southwell Jumps and Wolverhampton All-Weather

Southwell provides the jumping action on Monday afternoon before the focus switches to a trio of all-weather contests at Wolverhampton.

2.45 Southwell – Grace And Dotty Fedora's And Feathers Handicap Chase (about 3m½f)

A compact field of six goes to post in this staying chase. Tom Ellis sends out Smurfette, a mare who has been reliable since leaving Dan Skelton and who recorded a course-and-distance success three starts ago. The question is whether Smurfette can handle a higher handicap mark as she bids for a third career chase win.

Solar System, trained by Philip Hobbs for owner JP McManus, makes only his second start beyond three miles and is searching for his first victory since justifying favouritism at Haydock more than a year ago. Kayce Dutton, wearing cheekpieces for Charles and Adam Pogson, is an intriguing contender — the eight-year-old has two wins from three runs in that headgear and could be competitive again.

Fergal O’Brien’s Lilting Verse and Dan Skelton’s pair Jasmin De Cotte and Storminhome round out the line-up. Recent big-race news includes Heltenham retaining the Greatwood crown at Newbury and Jasmin De Grugy’s decisive Grimthorpe Chase success, underlining the strong form around the jumps scene.

6.00 Wolverhampton – Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap (extended mile)

Francesi heads to Wolverhampton aiming to add a fifth all-weather victory this season. The Tony Carroll-trained seven-year-old sits second on the Horse of the Year leaderboard, and another win would bolster his credentials for the £100,000 top prize.

Serious Look, a three-time course winner, has Robert Havlin booked and remains a serious player. The six-year-old, trained by Thomas Faulkner, boasts a 50% strike rate and has finished in the first three on all four prior occasions ridden by Havlin. Hugo Palmer’s previous course-and-distance scorer He’s A Gentleman should be competitive back at this longer trip, while David O’Meara will hope Criminal Shore can build on a comeback run and land a first all-weather success.

Carroll also saddles Oman and Terries Royale, both of whom are players to keep an eye on in what promises to be a competitive handicap.

7.30 Wolverhampton – Win £250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Fillies’ Handicap

Nine fillies are declared and Bint Havana Gold will attempt to follow up last Monday’s course-and-distance victory. Richard Hughes’ mare was 3 lb below her previous winning mark when she scored by a length seven days ago and returns off the same figure, seeking back-to-back successes.

Insuspense, with Hollie Doyle booked for Oliver Cole, has finished second on her last two starts and will be keen to break through for a first career win. So Sassy, trained by James Fanshawe, carries top weight but has a solid all-weather record and could improve on her first run at this Midlands track.

Three-time course winner White Umbrella enjoys this venue but needs to bounce back from a sub-par effort to add a seventh victory to her tally. Other runners of interest include Karl Burke’s Diamont Katie, Joanna Mason’s Court Drive and the unexposed Ruby Red Gove.

Overall, Monday offers a compact but intriguing card: staying chase tactics at Southwell and several informative all-weather handicaps at Wolverhampton, with plenty of familiar names and a few lightly exposed prospects to follow.