15:15 Southwell

Wednesday 15 March 2017

All13:2013:5514:3515:1515:5516:3517:15

Bet On The Festival With Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:18 | Winning time: 3m 6.58s

(3)

Brigadoon¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-13| J: S De Sousa| T: M Appleby| OR: 71

6/1

Last handicap win came in 2014 and only managed one win in a claimer since. That looks more his level nowadays but connections have got him into a weak race here. Yard took this in 2015.

Form: 231232

(4)

Virnon⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: J Fanning| T: G A Swinbank| OR: 71

8/1

Has looked one paced of late under both codes. Romped home by 5L here in early 2016 under today's rider and this would be the easiest Flat race contested since. In form trainer landed this in 2012.

Form: 644313-

(10)

La Estrella³³

Age: 14| Weight: 9-12| J: G Lee| T: D E Cantillon| OR: 70

5/1

Veteran who is 27-43 career starts and 16-20 around here. Has been effective from 1m4f-2m. Will be all the better for his latest run back from long absence.

Form: 125641/

(7)

Denmead¹⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Winston| T: J Butler| OR: 69

11/4

Improved towards the back end of last season when more patient tactics were adopted. May need this first run after a break with yard 0-13 over the past fortnight.

Form: 313-241

(2)

Bibliotheca¹⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J F Egan| T: W P Browne| OR: 68

2/1

Irish challenger whose half-sister Chabada won here. Stable had a winner at the course last year also. Fitness needs to be taken on trust but the form of her latest run looks more than good enough (runner-up has since won twice at Wolverhampton).

Form: 90543-9

(5)

Bushel²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: M Dwyer| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 60

18/1

Regressed throughout 2016 and has found nothing for early pressure in two races during the winter. Moves up considerably in trip.

Form: 509-051

(6)

Monzino⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-7| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 47

80/1

Had little chance at the weights last time and was not disgraced in finishing third. Out of the handicap here and therefore races from a mark that has looked beyond him of late.

Form: 477-376

(8)

Thackeray³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 8-7| J: Paula Muir⁽⁷⁾| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 46

33/1

Veteran retains ability but unlikely he has what it will take to win this from 5lb out of the handicap. Record on the AW is 0-13.

Form: 3-33843

(9)

Barnacle^b,t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Robbie Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: Emma Owen| OR: 45

50/1

Last win came over C&D. Has not been the same horse of late and has it all to do from 6lb out of the weights.

Form: 4/558-25

Non-Runners

(1)

Chestnut Storm¹⁸

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: B Barr J: Gabriele Malune

Forecasts

Bibliotheca (2/1), Denmead (11/4), La Estrella (5/1), Brigadoon (6/1), Virnon (8/1), Chestnut Storm (10/1), Bushel (18/1), Thackeray (33/1), Barnacle (50/1), Monzino (80/1)

This can go to Ireland on the premise that BIBLIOTHECA has not come here in order to get fit. She showed plenty of promise before producing a career best on her last start. The form of that race looks stronger than anything her rivals have contested lately and her yard have had a winner here previously. Brigadoon can run his usual honest race and test the selection whilst Chestnut Storm runs well here and should reach a place in a race lacking depth.