Gb Civil Engineering Apprentice Handicap Stakes (Apprentice Training Race - Part Of The Racing Excellence Series)

17:10 Southwell (AW) Sun 16 Aug 2026 6f16y Class 6 Good 14 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Lesley's Boy

SPECULATIVE Advised 7/1 Est. 22%

8TH

Mr Fox says

Lesley's Boy (SR:66, 7/1) has steamed in 48% from opening price — the sharpest meaningful market move in the field alongside Tough Enough — and is trained by the Faheys whose 9% strike rate is respectable at this level. At 9-12 he carries 2lb less than the co-topweights and sits within the SR range to be competitive here. His form string 63-058 shows inconsistency but the 62-day break combined with first-time cheekpieces (p) and a significant market move suggests connections have spotted something fresh. The DistFit:- and GoingFit:- are concerns but at 7/1 with that money behind him, the case is compelling enough to commit. Each-way alternative: Tough Enough. Main danger: Tough Enough — Tough Enough (SR:69, 4/1) is the highest-rated horse in the field and has steamed in 49% from its opening price — matching Lesley's Boy's market move in magnitude — and if that SR edge translates on the day, the class advantage could prove decisive despite the DistFit:- and GoingFit:- flags.

Verify· #12763

Full result

Winner: Massimo Blue (GB) at SP 5/1. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.