14:25 Southwell

Friday 29 December 2017

All12:1512:4513:1513:5014:2515:0015:30

Betway Dash Handicap

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 57.55s

(6)

Foolaad^t²²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: R Winston| T: S R Bowring| OR: 82| D

10/1

In good form on turf/AW earlier in the year when completing a handicap hat-trick over 6/7f with the last win coming off a mark of 76. Raised in grade after that but still acquitted himself well but now returns on surface that has never seemingly suited him over a trip that looks too short.

Form: 411133

(4)

Captain Lars^v¹⁰^{(ex 6)}

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁷⁾| T: D Shaw| OR: 76| CD

15/8

Has form over further but races mainly over sprint trips these days and has won over C&D. A winner of two of his last three starts he turned in his best effort of the season last time out over 6f here; now runs under a 6lb penalty back at 5f and may find one or two too speedy.

Form: 999161

(8)

Piazon^b,e/s,h⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Rossa Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 81| CD

9/1

Last five wins have all come over this C&D the most recent in October off a mark of 77 but looks to have gone off the boil of late in two runs over C&D. Dwelt and hung last time out and once again looked a less than straightforward ride and can also be slow away; best watched for now.

Form: 115106

(1)

Brother Tiger¹²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Fran Berry| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 77| D

8/1

Only one previous run here but showed promise of more to come here on that occasion and surprising it's taken so long to bring him back here. Took advantage of a fair drop in the weights to score at Lingfield in May and now 5lb below that mark but did run poorly last time out.

Form: 556460

(5)

Midnight Macchiato¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: T Eaves| T: D H Brown| OR: 75

25/1

Ran a fair race back from a break on his AW debut in October at Chelmsford over a mile. His two races since though have left something to be desired and was below form here over 7f last time and now tried over 5f for the first time; has never won a handicap.

Form: 736209

(2)

Crosse Fire^v⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: S Dixon| OR: 72| CD

4/1

Needs very little introduction around here and is a seven-time course winner (5/20 over C&D). Has proved rather inconsistent of late though (even around here) but is back below his last winning mark on Fibresand if he could find some zip; stable quiet and may find this grade too tough.

Form: 633084

(3)

Penny Dreadful^b¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: L Morris| T: S Dixon| OR: 67| D

10/1

One of two that the trainer runs in this and she's never really looked a natural on this surface. Last run here came over 6f but has been tried on different AW surface the last twice running just a respectable race last time and others appeal more.

Form: 344044

(7)

Red Stripes^b¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: L Williamson| OR: 60| C| D

6/1

Only just touched off over C&D on his last run by one who was not only resurgent but well handicapped on his old form. Still didn't look an easy ride though having travelled well and this is a tougher grade (runs from 3lb out of the handicap); chance if he repeats his last run.

Form: 553362

Forecasts

Captain Lars (15/8), Crosse Fire (4/1), Red Stripes (6/1), Brother Tiger (8/1), Piazon (9/1), Foolaad (10/1), Penny Dreadful (10/1), Midnight Macchiato (25/1)

This isn’t a strong 0-80 contest and none of these are without question marks either over trip or form. Captain Lars is in decent form but he does have a penalty to carry and back at 5f he may be found wanting for pace. Piazon looks to have gone off the boil of late and like Crosse Fire may well find this a little tough. Brother Tiger may have some potential on this surface although he does need to find his form and RED STRIPES despite being out of the handicap could follow-up his runner-up slot last time out to record a second course victory.