An exciting evening of all-weather racing awaits at Southwell Racecourse on Saturday 28 February, with nine races scheduled from 4:21pm through to 8:30pm. The Tapeta surface stages a varied programme that blends competitive handicaps with developing novice talent, while prize money peaks at £12,000 in the Class 3 feature.
The card covers trips from 7f 14y to 1m 3f 24y, ensuring opportunities for both speed-oriented runners and progressive middle-distance types. Strong field sizes throughout the evening promise depth and competitiveness across the grades.
The meeting opens with back-to-back Class 5 handicaps over seven furlongs at 4:21pm and 4:55pm, carrying £8,400 each and attracting ten and nine runners respectively. These contests should provide tightly matched racing where early positioning and finishing speed are key factors.
Two restricted novice stakes follow at 5:30pm and 6:00pm, both run over 7f 14y for £8,000. With eight runners declared in each division, these races offer lightly raced three-year-olds valuable experience on the all-weather stage.
At 6:30pm, a Class 4 mile handicap worth £10,800 sees a select field of four go to post, where tactical awareness could prove decisive. The 7:00pm Class 4 mile handicap, also valued at £10,800, features twelve runners and is expected to be one of the most competitive races of the evening.
The standout contest of the night is the Class 3 novice stakes over an extended mile and three furlongs. With £12,000 on offer, this race has attracted six progressive three-year-olds representing leading connections.
High Storm, trained by K. R. Burke for Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, is ridden by Sam James and carries 9st 7lbs after showing solid early form. La Peregrina, from the Ed Walker stable and owned by Mrs Fitri Hay, is partnered by George Downing and also shoulders 9st 7lbs. Godolphin holds a strong hand through Charlie Appleby’s pair, Pursuit of Love, ridden by Dougie Costello, and Sailor Song, partnered by Connor Planas who claims 3lb, both set to carry 9st 7lbs.
The fillies receive weight allowance, with Distorted Truth representing K. R. Burke and Newtown Anner Stud Farm under Pierre-Louis Jamin at 9st 2lbs after finishing second previously. You Got To My Soul, trained by Ralph Beckett for Valmont and ridden by Edward Greatrex, also carries 9st 2lbs following a placed effort. The contest looks a genuine test of stamina and progression, and could highlight a future middle-distance performer.
The 8:00pm Class 6 handicap over 1m 3f 23y features twelve runners battling for £9,000, while the 8:30pm finale is a sharp Class 5 sprint over 4f 214y worth £8,400, bringing the curtain down on what promises to be a competitive evening of all-weather action at Southwell.
Overall, Saturday’s Southwell fixture offers competitive fields across a variety of distances and grades, blending experienced handicappers with developing novice talent. With solid prize money throughout and healthy runner numbers, the Tapeta track promises an engaging evening of all-weather racing.
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