Southwell is ready to step into December with the kind of energy only a winter afternoon can create, and the Southwell 2 December jump racing preview is already stirring a warm anticipation across the yards. Trainers are expected to arrive with steady hands and sharp eyes, offering quick pats on clipped necks as horses settle into their pre-raceday rhythm. The mood will shift the moment the first runners step out to stretch — shoulders loosening, ears flicking, breath rising in the cold air. By the time the opener approaches at 12:52pm, the atmosphere should feel crisp, festive and full of possibility.
A Winter Afternoon Designed to Build
Southwell’s early-December meetings hold a quiet charm of their own. The low sun, the sting of cool air and the hum of families gathering near the rails will mix to create a gentle buzz. Small moments — a jockey adjusting their goggles, a horse arching its neck, a groom tightening a rug — will feel larger, as if the afternoon itself is building toward something slowly and surely.
Where the Card Begins to Take Shape
The scene will open with the Grace And Dotty Country Clothing Handicap Chase, a contest capable of setting the tone before the rest of the afternoon gathers pace. Each race afterward should add a little more colour, a little more tension, letting the six-race card unfold naturally from first flag to final hurdle.
RACE-BY-RACE PREVIEW
Race 1: Grace And Dotty Country Clothing Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
12:52pm | 2m4f88y | Winner’s purse: £4,700
The first contest is shaping into a strong tone-setter. AS LEGENDS HAVE IT, THE BLUESMAN and DUNSTALL RAMBLER may try to control the rhythm early, while BOWENSPARK, KAYCE DUTTON and PLANNED PARADISE could sit quietly and wait to strike late. If the first landing over fences is clean, the crowd should feel the afternoon click into gear instantly.
Race 2: Join Southwell Golf Club Handicap Chase
1:22pm | 1m7f182y | Winner’s purse: £3,248
A tactical, open affair awaits here. TAKE CENTRE STAGE, WE GOT YOUR BACK and FLASH IN THE PARK may push for early authority, with ZARA’S UNIVERSE, CHATEAU DU LYS and LIVY’S LAD trying to pick their way through late if gaps appear. Expect a race that carries unpredictability and keeps the crowd leaning forward.
Race 3: National Hunt Flat Race (Conditional/Amateurs’) (Cat 1 Elimination) (GBB)
1:52pm | 1m7f182y | Winner’s purse: £2,451
Fresh faces prepare to take their first steps toward future hurdles careers. TYPHOON WARRIOR, COOL CUSTOMER and THAT’LL BE OXO may travel kindly early, while PRETTY DARN QUICK, MADMOISELLE MOSS and BLUEY BAY could finish hardest if stamina has been nurtured quietly at home. These contests usually offer promise and surprise in equal measure.
Race 4: Golf And Gallop Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)
2:22pm | 1m7f182y | Winner’s purse: £4,193
Debutants and improvers meet here. LOOPING D’ARC, MOYGANNY PHIL and AIM STRAIGHT may look to produce an assertive early impression. Meanwhile ESCORT’KHEOPS, MANHATTAN VALLEY and LE FABULEUX BUCK’S could play the patient card if their jumping settles early. Maiden hurdles tend to carry their own quiet tension, where rhythm and nerve matter more than anything.
Race 5: Download The At The Races App Handicap Hurdle
2:52pm | 3m60y | Winner’s purse: £4,066
A harder, more seasoned edge is expected here. DUEL AU SOLEIL, I SPY A DIVA and EATON ANNE bring consistency that could prove valuable, while BRIDGE NORTH, EBONY WARRIOR and STONE’S THROW will look to show improvement at the right moment. As the field begins to stretch, the crowd should feel the afternoon rising toward its emotional peak.
Race 6: Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Hurdle
3:23pm | 2m4f88y | Winner’s purse: £3,248
The finale is built for late drama. ALWAYS A REASON, FEET ON THE GROUND and CHER MONSIEUR may try to dictate from the start, but LENNIE GODBER, WARNER’S CROSS and WALK THE PLANK will be waiting to strike the moment the tempo shifts. An ideal closing contest for a winter afternoon that blends warmth, excitement and seasonal charm.
As the final race approaches and daylight begins to thin, Southwell looks set to offer the kind of afternoon that lingers — festive, energetic and filled with stories waiting to be carried forward through December. The next chapter of the season will begin here, one stride and one cheer at a time.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz
