Conservative makes his return to the track today for the Coral Racing Club in the 14:05 Handicap (Class 4) over a mile at Southwell.

Read our Raceday LIVE preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and our lucky owners for the day across our social channels.

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Raceday LIVE Preview

Conservative hasn't raced since June of last year, having picked up a couple of knocks over the last six months, followed by the unfortunate flooding that occurred at Scott Dixon's yard at Southwell. 

The five-year-old was kept busy up until that Newmarket appearance in June, running eight times under the Coral Racing Club banner. He finished fourth twice, before putting in a solid performance to finish a strong third at Doncaster at the start of June. 

Scott Dixon hasn't been too keen to rush Conservative back out on track, following a tumultuous few months. Instead, choosing to wait for a good opportunity at a track he has form at, with his only victory to date coming over course and distance. 


Conservative working at Southwell Racecourse under Kieran O'Neill

Prize money

Today's Class 4 contest is worth £12,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £6,280 for their lucky owners.

2nd place: £2,947 | 3rd place: £1,472 | 4th place: £737 | 5th place: £367

As part of the Owner for the Day competitions we launch here on the Coral Racing Club website once one of the club's horses has been entered in a race, each of the 10 lucky winners who get the chance to attend as an owner also get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won.

Trainer and jockey form

Scott Dixon has had a good January so far, with two winners and a runner up from just eight runners.

He's yet to have a runner at Southwell in 2024, but it's worth noting that it's the course that he's had the most winners (110) at, which comes as little surprise seeing as his primary stable is located at the course itself. 

Elisha Whittington takes the reins today, and she was onboard both of Scott Dixon's winners this month. As an apprentice, she takes off a valuable three pounds from Conservative's back, meaning our gelding will carry the lowest weight in the race.

WATCH: Elisha Whittington – Apprentice Jockey for Scott Dixon

After getting her first jockey license with trainer Tom Dascombe and then heading to William Haggas' yard for eight months, Elisha Whittington was picked up by Coral Racing Club trainer Scott Dixon to be a permanent apprentice jockey. 

Watch our video below as we caught up with Elisha last year to find out how she got into racing, including the particular help of a little Dartmoor pony.


Today's opposition

• Leap Day was a course and distance winner for Tim Easterby last time out on the 29th December. David Allan takes the reins once again today as they attempt to go back-to-back.

• Alice Haynes and Kieran O'Neill are another pairing looking for two-straight victories with early price favourite Goldsmith. He scored last time out late in December over a slightly longer trip at Wolverhampton.

• Hortzadar carries top weight for David O'Meara, and he's aiming for his third victory in six runs. Apprentice jockey Mark Winn rides the nine-year-old today, claiming three pounds. 

   14:05 SOUTHWELL – LATEST BETTING HERE   

Thanks for reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 14:05 to watch Conservative's next run for the club.