Keith Hamer reckons River Wharfe will take to the surface on his first visit to Southwell - check out Tuesday's preview.
Keith Hamer's tips
CLONMEL: 1.05 Nelly’s Money, 1.35 Dunboyne, 2.05 Arctic Ambition, 2.35 Gevrey, 3.05 Boomtown Girl, 3.35 Tomeric, 4.05 Templebredin.
EXETER: 1.15 Windswept Girl, 1.45 Full Back, 2.15 Fletch, 2.45 Sexy Lot, 3.15 Neetside, 3.45 The Dawn Man, 4.15 Chavez.
FAKENHAM: 12.55 Sawpit Sienna, 1.25 Dundrum Wood, 1.55 Who’s My Jockey, 2.25 Lithic, 2.55 Gazette Bourgeoise, 3.25 Sabbathical, 3.55 Uisce Ur.
SOUTHWELL: 4.40 Fantasy Keeper, 5.10 Lunar Bounty, 5.40 Lincoln Red, 6.10 The Great Heir, 6.40 RIVER WHARFE (NAP), 7.10 Katelli, 7.40 Mister Universum.
DOUBLE: River Wharfe and The Great Heir
River Wharfe can make his first visit to Southwell a winning one in the Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side Football Handicap.
The son of Showcasing got off the mark at the sixth attempt at Chelmsford on his latest outing in November, having shown some promise after starting his career with three moderate runs.
River Wharfe may not have looked straightforward, but he must have been showing ability at home because he has been favourite for his last three races.
Having got his head in front last time, following the application of first-time cheekpieces, he can continue to progress at this level – with trainer David Simcock reaching for the blinkers to help him further.
The Great Heir was just beaten when sent off the market leader at Newcastle and can make amends in the Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap.
His neck defeat to Anif was the second time in 10 days he had to settle for the runner-up spot – and by that margin.
It is hard to believe the Kevin Ryan-trained gelding has not won since scooping the £147,000 first prize in a valuable sales event at Doncaster in September 2018.
His last two races have been the closest he has come to ending the drought for some time. He is obviously running well, and this could be his day.
Lincoln Red can defy a 5lb rise in the ratings to follow up a course-and-distance success a month ago, in the Bombardier Handicap.
The Olly Williams-trained gelding was probably worth more than the bare winning margin of a neck, because he was getting cosily on top at the line.
Fantasy Keeper may benefit from a drop in grade to strike for the Mick Appleby stable in the Betway Handicap.
The Mayson gelding also steps down to five furlongs after running over six and seven for his last five starts.
The combination of those two factors can see the seven-year-old register a sixth career success.
Mister Universum can rise above his rivals in the Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap.
Marjorie Fife’s nine-year-old was no match for Heron here over a shorter trip last time.
But that three-time Southwell winner is absent on this occasion, and Mister Universum’s runner-up spot marked a return to form.
He is back up to this marathon distance for the first time since running poorly on stable debut in October, but he won at almost three miles over hurdles for Dan Skelton last summer.
Lithic has been knocking on the door in all four starts this season, and should land a deserved success in the Brisley Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Fakenham.
Jonjo O’Neill’s 10-year-old was beaten only three-quarters of a length when third to Who’s In The Box at Market Rasen three weeks ago. He has yet to score over fences but can finally reward connections.
Sawpit Sienna can make a triumphant return to the scene of her 40-1 course-and-distance success in the Pudding Norton Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
There appeared to be no fluke about that display, and Sam Drinkwater’s six-year-old followed that up with another good effort to finish second of 17 at Wincanton.
Sawpit Sienna goes back to the Norfolk track just 7lb higher, and seems sure to go well again.
Sexy Lot ought to recoup Hereford losses in the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Hurdle at Exeter.
David Pipe’s five-year-old mare was sent off 10-11 favourite but just could not quite peg back Thibault after being two lengths down at the last, eventually finishing half-a-length behind at the line.
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