Bettingsites.co.uk Handicap Stakes

20:10 Southwell (AW) Thu 03 Sep 2026 0m6f17y Class 4 Good 12 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Modern Times

SPECULATIVE Advised 4/1 Est. 22%

7TH

Mr Fox says

Modern Times (SR:88, 4/1) is the highest-rated horse in the field by a clear margin and brings a strong recent form line of 356311 — two wins in the last three runs at the same class. Carrying 9-5 gives him a useful weight advantage over Kirkdale (SR:84, 9-8) despite Kirkdale's better rating delta. The visor is retained from his winning run, and the trainer James Owen runs at a solid 17% strike rate. The market drift of 19% is the one concern, but at 4/1 in a 12-runner Class 4 he still represents fair value given the SR superiority and confirmed recent winning form. Each-way alternative: Papa Cocktail. Main danger: Kirkdale — Kirkdale (SR:84) arrives on the back of three consecutive top-four finishes including two wins (Form:24-411), holds course form (W1P1), and is ridden by the in-form Callum Rodriguez (17% career strike rate), though the 16% market drift and a 4lb rise in the mark are genuine negatives to weigh against him.

Verify· #15919

Full result

Winner: Papa Cocktail (IRE) at SP 17/2. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.

1 Papa Cocktail Fox #3 Michael Herrington · Jason Hart 15/2
2 Kirkdale Fox #2 Edward Bethell · Callum Rodriguez 13/2
3 Moving Force Mark Loughnane · Billy Loughnane 10/1
4 Star Chorus Mike Murphy · Darragh Keenan 17/2
5 Flowstate David O'Meara · Alistair Rawlinson 18/1
6 Diligent Resdev Michael & David Easterby · Joanna Mason 6/1
7 Modern Times Fox #1 James Owen · Luke Morris 4/1
8 Tyger Bay Conrad Allen · Seamus Cronin(5) 33/1
9 Dorney Lake Liam Bailey · Daniel Tudhope 17/2
10 Rock Opera Fox #4 Richard & Peter Fahey · Warren Fentiman(3) 7/1
11 Prince Of Pillo Richard & Peter Fahey · Jack Garritty 8/1
12 Beauzon Ian Williams · Faleh Bughanaim 28/1

Top 4 — how each finished

1 Modern Times 4/1 7TH
2 Kirkdale 13/2 🥈 2ND
3 Papa Cocktail 8/1 SP 17/2 🏆 WON
4 Rock Opera 15/2 10TH