Southwell Handicap Preview: 24 February 2026

The Bet 10 Get 40 With BetMGM Handicap is an eleven-runner Class 5 affair over a mile on Southwell's all-weather surface. This is a competitive heat where course form and standard-going record will be decisive.

The Selection: Cephalus

Cephalus is our pick at 6.00. The seven-year-old commands an outstanding record on Standard going—8 wins from 25 runs—and is a proven Southwell specialist with 3 wins from 6 visits to the track. Over a mile, he boasts 10 wins from 27 runs, and in this Class 5 grade specifically, he has delivered 7 wins from 15 starts. His Combined Score of 1472 ranks eighth in the field, but his Form Expert data across every relevant filter—going, track, trip, class—is superior to the market favourite. He was last seen 39 days ago, which is no impediment to his proven form profile.

The Danger: Mr Nugget

Mr Nugget leads the Combined Score rankings at 1580 and comes in fresh at just 7 days since his last run. He has won twice at Southwell and carries a solid Standard going record: 5 wins from 21 runs. However, over the mile distance his Form Expert tally reads only 1 win from 2 runs—a thin sample—and in Class 5 he has recorded just 1 win from 9 attempts. His price of 5.00 reflects his high RaceMetrics Rating, but the class-specific form is not as compelling as his headline credentials suggest.

The Secondary Threat: Studious

Studious commands 3 wins from 11 runs on Standard going and 2 wins from 9 runs over a mile. In Class 5, he has 2 wins from 9 starts. His Combined Score sits at 1507 and he is priced at 6.00, making him a live contender. The only caveat: he is untested at Southwell, with 0 wins from 1 run at the track. Cephalus's proven Southwell dominance—3 from 6 versus Studious's naïvety at the venue—tilts this in our selection's favour.

At A Price: Selection

Selection, at 17.00, has 1 win from 4 runs on Standard going and 1 from 4 over the mile. In Class 5 specifically, she stands at 1 win from 4 starts. These are snappy conversion rates for a 25-day layoff, and at nearly treble-digit odds, she offers value if you fancy a wider each-way play.

Verdict

Back Cephalus to win. His Standard-going form (8 from 25), Southwell record (3 from 6), and Class 5 pedigree (7 from 15) outweigh Mr Nugget's RaceMetrics Rating advantages.