15:45 Southwell
Thursday 19 January 2017
All12:5513:3014:0014:3515:1015:45
Betway Amateur Riders' Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 5 | 1m 6f | Standard | 10 Runners | Fibresand | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 3m 8.25s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Has reached the veteran stage now on the Flat and probably needed the run last time out at Wolverhampton when returning from an 11-month break. Has won at Southwell in the past so clearly acts on the surface and if the last run has brought him on then he should be respected here.
Very lightly raced of late and showed very little on a return from nearly a year off at Lingfield last time out over 1m2f. Had one previous run here (finished last but one over 7f) and clearly needs to make a marker improvement to take a hand here.
Has been out of form for most of the last 12 months but does have form around this track which is always a bonus. Top amateur now booked for him (never ridden him before) and the blinkers go on for the first time although his three wins have come over shorter and the trip could be a doubt.
In decent form of late and won at Chelmsford in September over 2m off a mark of 57. Higher in the weights now and with no experience of this surface but ran a fair race at Chelmsford last time out again over 2m (up with pace for much of the way). Jockey booking is eye-catching and if she takes to the surface she would be a player here.
Last five runs have all come at Southwell over a variety of trips with one decent effort coming at 1m3f. Well held last time out though and of minimal interest here over this trip.
Has a pedigree that screams Southwell but six attempts here have just yielded only a couple of third places. Finished a well beaten last on only attempt at this sort of trip and never on terms at Wolverhampton last time out; has work to do here based on that run.
Ex-Irish gelding with some fair turf form to his name for his former trainer. Not that much experience as yet on the AW although did start his career on it at Dundalk. Ran a fair first race for his new stable over 2m at Wolverhampton wearing a visor for the first time and interesting if he takes to his unique surface.
Has shown some good AW form at Newcastle on her last five starts winning there over an extended 2m in November. Not quite reached that level since in three starts on the tapeta off higher marks and makes her fibresand debut here - there are no worries about the trip but it remains to be seen how she copes with this very different surface.
Still a maiden after 11 attempts on the Flat and has shown little of late. Tried on the fibresand twice before and shown little.
Should know his way around here having run here seven times but four thirds are the best he could manage on any of those outings. Did manage a shock win at Ayr in the summer and third here last time out but that still looks modest form.
Forecasts
Ralphy Lad (2/1), Free Bounty (3/1), Merriment (4/1), Noguchi (10/1), Thackeray (12/1), Idle Talker (16/1), Thou Swell (16/1), Azamesse (20/1), Port Lairge (33/1), Twilight Angel (66/1)
The booking of Simon Walker suggests that a better run is expected from Ralphy Lad as he bids to end a long losing run on a surface that he can operate on. Another jockey booking that takes the eye is that of Serena Brotherton for Free Bounty and if she takes to the surface, she's a player here at a trip that will suit her better than most of these. Merriment has to show that she can cope with fibresand but her overall form on the AW would give her a chance. AZAMESSE has shown some decent turf form and his breeding gives some hope that he may be suited by this surface and on his second run for his new yard. He offers some value with no stamina doubts.
1. Azamesse
2. Free Bounty
3. Ralphy Lad
Prize Money
1st: £3,293.002nd: £1,013.003rd: £506.00
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