Newsboy fancies a Michael Dods-trained handicapper to make a long overdue return to the winner’s enclosure in the 3.50 at Southwell
ROARING RALPH is fancied to end a long losing sequence when he takes on 11 opponents for the Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap (3.50) at Southwell today.
The bad news for the Michael Dods-saddled son of Roaring Lion is that it was back in September 2024 that he last got his head in front, when landing a seven-furlong handicap at this afternoon’s venue.
But the good news is that Roaring Ralph’s lean spell has resulted in a drop in the weights, from a career-high mark of 75 to just 54.
And the evidence of his two outings in 2026 is that the six-year-old is ready to get back to business.
Making his debut for the campaign two days after the turn of the year, my selection came home a half-length second to Moyowasi.
And Roaring Ralph again took the silver medal home from Rolleston 17 days later, doing best of those coming from the back to take second, beaten a length and a quarter, to How’s The Guvnor.
Lewis Edmunds’ mount competes from an unchanged figure here and gets the Nap vote to go one better.
At the conclusion of the nine-race card, LANDLORDTOTHESTARS has plenty going for him in the Bet £10 Get £40 With BetMGM Handicap (Div II) (8.00).Thursday’s selectionsHUNTINGDON12.50 LITTLE PI1.25 NIGHT JET2.00 PAGGANE2.35 WESTLAIN3.10 ACT OF INNOCENCE3.43 STAMINA CHOPE4.18 LOCH NESS PINEAUDONCASTER12.40 CALL YOUR BLUFF1.15 MUSTANG DU BREUIL1.50 COUNT OF VENDOME2.25 SMOKERINGINTHEDARK3.00 KALHANDRIAN3.35 EMPTY NEST4.10 LET’S GO TO VEGASLINGFIELD PARK1.35 RAFFLES NOBU2.10 BIG TICKET2.45 LOVE YOU BACK3.20 OFFICER OF STATE3.55 ATLANTIC POWER4.30 EL ROJO GRANDESOUTHWELL3.50 ROARING RALPH (NAP)4.25 KORROOR5.00 MR JUGGLES5.30 ASIA FORCE6.00 NIGHT BEAR6.30 DUCHESS7.00 SOAMES FORSYTE7.30 REGINALD CHARLES8.00 LANDLORDTOTHESTARS (NB)DOUBLE: ROARING RALPH and LANDLORDTOTHESTARS
