Key Points
- Today’s horse racing betting tip won this race last year and looks set for a repeat performance
- The jockey who rode this horse to victory last year is booked again
- A kinder draw this time around could make all the difference in today’s race
Today’s selection runs in the 1m 6f Handicap at Southwell for the Joey Ramsden stable. Frustratingly, there has been a non-runner reducing the field from eight to seven, which potentially means just two places available. However, a few bookmakers are currently offering three places, and I suggest you get on early before they change their minds.
If you’re not already familiar with my content, where have you been? Joking aside, I’m RacingGav and I’m the resident horse racing expert here at Betting.co.uk. My main task here is to provide you with
free horse racing tips, and I’m sure that’s why you’re reading this article right now.
Alongside betting tips I often publish big race trends, educational guides and other horse racing content on a weekly basis. If you want to take a look at some of the guides that I have already posted, I’d recommend taking a look at
Betting Fundamentals
first, before moving on to the more complex topic of
the UK Handicap System.
However, due the 2026 Cheltenham Festival being just a few short weeks away, I’m taking a brief hiatus from those, and also my monthly free tip results update.
Meanwhile, you are welcome to study
my results up to December 2025, and rest assured I’ll update you fully at the end of March.
But none of that is what we're here for right now, so I’ll move swiftly on to today’s betting tip…
Betting advice
- 15:38 Southwell -
Pleasant Man
@ 11/2 (3 places) -
0.75pt each way
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Pleasant Man bids for back to back wins in this Southwell Handicap!
The fact that Pleasant Man won this race last year is obviously a huge draw. However, there are many more eye-catching elements in addition to that. In this article, I’ll be breaking down my full case for advising him as a bet today, so make sure you read on to understand my thinking.
Pleasant Man won this race last year and looks set to repeat the feat!
This time last year, Pleasant Man was under the care of Lawrence Mullaney. He tackled this same race off a mark of 80 and won by a neck, always doing enough in front. At his peak back in 2021, he won two races off marks of 92 and 92, so he clearly has plenty of ability on a going day.
Two trainers later and a year on, he comes back for the very same race again. This time around he is rated 6lb lower, at a mark of 74, which gives him an obvious chance of repeating the feat.
Warren Fentiman rode Pleasant Man to victory last year and he is booked again
Pleasant Man won this race last year off a mark of 80. However, that is not the full picture. He had Warren Fentiman in the saddle who claimed a very valuable 7lb that day, seeing Pleasant Man effectively racing off a mark of 73.
This year, they have brought in the same man for the job. Warren has only ever ridden the horse once and that was when he won, so he will be looking to maintain his 100% record on this horse. Warren is only claiming 5lb this time, but despite claiming less, due to Pleasant Man's 6lb lower mark, he effectively runs off a 4lb lower mark than last year, which must give him every chance.
A kinder draw this time around could make all the difference
Pleasant Man received a rather puzzling ride from Lewis Edmunds last time out at Chelmsford, over a similar trip of 1m 5.5f. Despite being drawn in stall three, he found himself racing out widest of all and that really does make a difference. He ran a solid race to finish third, but he weakened inside the final furlong and I find it impossible to believe that racing wide didn’t impact that finish.
Pleasant Man has an even kinder draw in stall two today and hopefully Warren can get him smuggled in somewhere towards the running rail. Looking at the set up of the race, I would expect Moon Sniper to go forward and lead them, which should give Pleasant Man a lovely tow into the race, and also cover in front of him to help with conserving energy.
Can Pleasant Man retain his crown at Southwell?
Pleasant Man looks to retain his crown in this race at Southwell today having won the corresponding race last year. I believe he can do exactly that and I think he is a nice price too. The case for backing him is obvious, as he won thise race last year, and is better-handicapped today. I also like the fact that Warren Fentiman comes back to ride him. Since he last rode Pleasant Man, Warren has been notching up wins, and gaining valuable experience. With the kind draw, and what looks to be an ideal race set up, there are plenty of positives.
In terms of the negatives, his record on the AW (one win from 15 starts) isn’t all that appealing, but he does have a stronger strike rate overall! Whilst he hasn’t been disgraced, he also hasn’t set the world alight with his form during this campaign either. That said, I did like his last run, I just feel it doesn’t show the true picture, given he raced wide.
All things considered, I think he is a lovely price at 11/2 here. With Don Simon now a non-runner, if the bookmakers had defaulted to the standard two places. I'd have left the race alone. However, with the likes of BetMGM still offering three places, I think Pleasant Man presents a lovely each way bet for us, with the stake set at 0.75pt each way.
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