 |
| Elder statesman Joe Fanning has some good chances on the card |
Southwell hosts a weekend warm-up on Friday evening with another seven race programme under the now familiar LED floodlights, the only ones in the UK.
4.30pm: 0-52 handicap over 1m
A trappy event to start proceedings. Van Dijk picked up the pieces to win here last week in a race where the frontrunners cut each others' throats so much they stopped to near enough a walk, leaving a closer to pick them off late. That was his first win in 21 starts and now has a 5lb penalty to shoulder. The British Lion roared back to form (sorry!!) here when second behind a well handicapped winner twelve days ago and again holds claims, as does Socru. There are two I like at prices however. Tavrina went firmly into my tracker after an eyecatching stable debut effort at Wolverhampton where having raced keenly and wide throughout, stayed on well to not be beaten too far ultimately. Shaun Keightley is a shrewd operator and sire New Approach's progeny go well enough on this surface to suggest he can go well. The other is True Companion who raced behind and also on the far rail up the home straight here on New Year's Day for Roger Fell. He was then withdrawn two days later and is now in the care of Lucinda Egerton. On top of that, he runs in the colours of former trainer Hugh Beggs and Tyler Heard is replaced by Luke Morris. Any market move would be significant.
5.00pm: 0-70 handicap over 1m
A race which surrounds Star Of St James and whether he can replicate his easy success here eight days ago. George Bass takes over from Graham Lee to try and negate the penalty which he now has to deal with since his 6 1/2 length victory. Headland also won on that card for the in-form Scott Dixon stable but will need more again to score here. Good old Custard The Dragon is still yet to win over a mile but got very close to breaking that hoodoo here last time and this seven time course winner will go well again. The value may come from Makambe if it stays as an eight runner field, with a return to this track and reapplied cheekpieces both suiting him particularly well. He is also 6lb below his last winning mark and Chelsea Banham has had some winners over recent weeks.
5.30pm: Median Auction Maiden stakes over 7f
Not an obvious standout runner in here with Open Mystery bringing the best form to the table after two placed efforts and a handicap mark of 70. Both Mehmento and Pina Collada hail from big stables in Archie Watson and Mark Johnston respectively, and would obviously both be players if taking to the surface on debut. Similar comments apply to Business Flight, who has an all-American dirt pedigree and Robert Cowell isn't averse to having winners here. Any money for Chantreys would be of note too. It's a no bet race for me, but Business Flight's pedigree does appeal.
6.00pm: 0-55 handicap over 6f
This is a race I went round and round in circles with as most of the leading protagonists are inconsistent. First Excel is probably the most likely to run well after a good effort at Wolverhampton. If I had to play, I might play Kommander Kirkup with extra places who is very well handicapped and will be running on at the end to pass beaten horses.
6.30pm: Maiden stakes over 5f
Not exactly the strongest maiden the world has ever seen. A repeat of his very narrow defeat in handicap company last time will see Unleash go extremely close to winning for jockey Joe Fanning, who could be in for a good night. Acquisator has been frustrating, having had six starts now and the headgear is reached for now as well. Expert Opinion was a well beaten second here last time on his fourth start, just finishing ahead of Cahors on the same terms once again. Cobh Kid is another with a chance, but the weight he has to give away must be a worry, with Big Thanks another you can make a case for. In summary, I'm not sure where to go outside of Unleash, provided he backs up his last run at the track.
7.00pm: 0-60 handicap over 5f
An interesting heat where cases can be made for plenty of them. Marwari looks a very interesting Fibresand debutant given his breeding following a good win at Newcastle last time out. He's up 5lb for that but that might not stop him. The other last time out winner is Gossip for Scott Dixon. The first four home from that race reoppose, with Red Stripes, Leo Minor and Brandy Station just in behind. Of the four, I'd narrowly prefer Leo Minor of the four. Heartstar could go well as well as she seems to act best either here or Bath, and It's All Clover Now is a horse I've been waiting to go well in something like this. I'll go for Marwari, but It's All Clover Now is worth watching given the yard resurgance.
7.30pm: 0-65 handicap over 1m6f
Artistic Streak hacked up here last week over 2m and is 4lb well-in even with her penalty for the bang in-form Donald McCain yard, and ridden by daughter Ella. Mr Carbonator is very consistent and no doubt will give his running again with Taima a potential improver for Sir Mark Prescott. Be My Sea adds a bit of intrigue returning to the Flat after a decent run over hurdles at Ascot recently, and he is a course and distance winner back in 2016. However, having said all that, Artistic Streak will be the pick, but at his likely odds, not a bet.
There we are, another Southwell preview complete! More Fibresand action on Sunday for which I will record a Soundcloud preview on Saturday night through this link.
I will confirm on Twitter when it is live; follow me on Twitter @willbowler2k12
Enjoy the sport and take care.
No comments:
Post a Comment