Raceday LIVE – Cast No Shadow
Southwell,
Thu 22 Jan 2026 13:05
Related horse(s):
Cast No Shadow
Cast No Shadow makes he way to Southwell for the second time in his career this afternoon, to run in the Class 6 Apprentice Handicap over five furlongs (13:05).
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track on X (@CRCofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Cast No Shadow returns to action at Southwell this afternoon, following two months off the track. He returned from a seven month break in November and was turned out twice in quick succession but was unable to make an impression in both contests. The latter of the two performances wasn't without some encouragement however, where he was leading up until the final furlong, at which point he just began to tire having led the seven runner field from as soon as the gates had opened.
WATCH: Kevin Stott shares his thoughts on Cast No Shadow's latest run at Newcastle
As mentioned, today won't be the first time that Cast No Shadow has made an appearance at Southwell, with his only other run at the Nottinghamshire track which came in February of 2024 resulting in a photo finish for first place having run on gallantly in the final furlong of the race under a powerpacked ride from Jason Hart.
Cast No Shadow (near side) just falling short in his last run at Southwell
Cast No Shadow's handicap mark is now 10lbs lower than the last time he ran at Southwell and that allows him to drop into today's 0-65 race which will be the lowest grade he's ran in so far in his career. Sam's Hope is the first of three former course and distance winners in the field, having won here twice in the past including on his last appearance nine days ago. The eldest horse in the race, eight-year-old Twilight Madness, hasn't won over the five furlong trip at Southwell since winning back-to-back races here in December of 2022, but does come here in form after winning twice in a row last month. Level Up is the final former winner over track and trip to line up this afternoon, having scored his only victory at Southwell on his fifth start for David Evans all the way back in 2023.
Cast No Shadow is drawn handily in stall six this afternoon and shouldn't cause any problems, providing he breaks well in his usual fashion.
Trainer Hugo Palmer tells us how Cast No Shadow has been getting on in the build-up to today's race at Southwell
Pipped At The Post – Member Exclusive
As a Coral Racing Club member, thanks to our Pipped At The Post offer, once you opt-in, you could be paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 13:05 at Southwell – click here to find out more.
Exclusive Price Boost on Cast No Shadow to finish in the top three
Tap below to head over to the 13:05 Southwell racecard and check out your exclusive price boost on Cast No Shadow to finish in the top three.
Racing TV Analyst, Chris Dixon, give his opinion on today's 13:05 at Southwell and how he thinks Cast No Shadow will fare in the contest
Cast No Shadow has struggled to get anywhere near his best form on recent starts, including when returning from time off in early November and failing to beat a rival on either start. Clearly he wasn’t in much form at that point and hopes here have to rest on a couple more months off having helped him rediscover his form. If that happens then his handicap mark has become an attractive one and he ran very well on his only previous outing over this course and distance, so there are positives but it ultimately will boil down to whether he’s back on his A-Game. Southwell over 5f is a pretty straightforward track tactically with no draw advantage and races rarely messy from a pace perspective and offering a fair test.
This race looks likely to be pretty well run given the presence of three regular front runners (Thecofeepoddotco, Twilight Madness and Cast No Shadow) which will be a positive for Papa Don’t Preach who is often keen and was suited by a strong tempo when snapping a losing run to win last time though a change in headgear and very inexperienced rider are two concerns if looking to back him to follow up. Another last time out winner Sam’s Hope has been prolific since the autumn and the manner of her latest success over this course and distance suggests she has a strong chance under a 5lbs penalty.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Hugo Palmer has unsurprisingly been quite quiet recently, sending out eight runners in the last fortnight and returning with a winner, that came here at Southwell on the 17th January. He operates at a 16% strike-rate at Southwell and the aforementioned winner was his latest of 21 winners at the course.
Zak Wheatley has only ever ridden for Hugo Palmer once in his career, to no avail. The apprentice does have a good level of experience at Southwell however, having ridden 15 winners from 162 career rides at the course.
Cast No Shadow's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Cast No Shadow's run at Southwell this afternoon.
What's included in this Owner for the Day prize?
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £6,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,140 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,473 | 3rd: £736 | 4th: £368 | 5th: £183
SOUTHWELL 13:05 – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 13:05 to watch Cast No Shadow's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track on X (@CRCofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Cast No Shadow returns to action at Southwell this afternoon, following two months off the track. He returned from a seven month break in November and was turned out twice in quick succession but was unable to make an impression in both contests. The latter of the two performances wasn't without some encouragement however, where he was leading up until the final furlong, at which point he just began to tire having led the seven runner field from as soon as the gates had opened.
WATCH: Kevin Stott shares his thoughts on Cast No Shadow's latest run at Newcastle
As mentioned, today won't be the first time that Cast No Shadow has made an appearance at Southwell, with his only other run at the Nottinghamshire track which came in February of 2024 resulting in a photo finish for first place having run on gallantly in the final furlong of the race under a powerpacked ride from Jason Hart.
Cast No Shadow (near side) just falling short in his last run at Southwell
Cast No Shadow's handicap mark is now 10lbs lower than the last time he ran at Southwell and that allows him to drop into today's 0-65 race which will be the lowest grade he's ran in so far in his career. Sam's Hope is the first of three former course and distance winners in the field, having won here twice in the past including on his last appearance nine days ago. The eldest horse in the race, eight-year-old Twilight Madness, hasn't won over the five furlong trip at Southwell since winning back-to-back races here in December of 2022, but does come here in form after winning twice in a row last month. Level Up is the final former winner over track and trip to line up this afternoon, having scored his only victory at Southwell on his fifth start for David Evans all the way back in 2023.
Cast No Shadow is drawn handily in stall six this afternoon and shouldn't cause any problems, providing he breaks well in his usual fashion.
Trainer Hugo Palmer tells us how Cast No Shadow has been getting on in the build-up to today's race at Southwell
Pipped At The Post – Member Exclusive
As a Coral Racing Club member, thanks to our Pipped At The Post offer, once you opt-in, you could be paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 13:05 at Southwell – click here to find out more.
Exclusive Price Boost on Cast No Shadow to finish in the top three
Tap below to head over to the 13:05 Southwell racecard and check out your exclusive price boost on Cast No Shadow to finish in the top three.
Racing TV Analyst, Chris Dixon, give his opinion on today's 13:05 at Southwell and how he thinks Cast No Shadow will fare in the contest
Cast No Shadow has struggled to get anywhere near his best form on recent starts, including when returning from time off in early November and failing to beat a rival on either start. Clearly he wasn’t in much form at that point and hopes here have to rest on a couple more months off having helped him rediscover his form. If that happens then his handicap mark has become an attractive one and he ran very well on his only previous outing over this course and distance, so there are positives but it ultimately will boil down to whether he’s back on his A-Game. Southwell over 5f is a pretty straightforward track tactically with no draw advantage and races rarely messy from a pace perspective and offering a fair test.
This race looks likely to be pretty well run given the presence of three regular front runners (Thecofeepoddotco, Twilight Madness and Cast No Shadow) which will be a positive for Papa Don’t Preach who is often keen and was suited by a strong tempo when snapping a losing run to win last time though a change in headgear and very inexperienced rider are two concerns if looking to back him to follow up. Another last time out winner Sam’s Hope has been prolific since the autumn and the manner of her latest success over this course and distance suggests she has a strong chance under a 5lbs penalty.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Hugo Palmer has unsurprisingly been quite quiet recently, sending out eight runners in the last fortnight and returning with a winner, that came here at Southwell on the 17th January. He operates at a 16% strike-rate at Southwell and the aforementioned winner was his latest of 21 winners at the course.
Zak Wheatley has only ever ridden for Hugo Palmer once in his career, to no avail. The apprentice does have a good level of experience at Southwell however, having ridden 15 winners from 162 career rides at the course.
Cast No Shadow's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Cast No Shadow's run at Southwell this afternoon.
What's included in this Owner for the Day prize?
- Free racecourse entry
- Access to the Owners & Trainers enclosure
- Access to the Parade Ring before the race
- Meet Cast No Shadow and the Hugo Palmer team
- Take home a 10% share of any prize money he wins
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £6,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,140 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,473 | 3rd: £736 | 4th: £368 | 5th: £183
SOUTHWELL 13:05 – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 13:05 to watch Cast No Shadow's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
Share
