15:05 Southwell

Tuesday 23 January 2018

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:10

Betway Sprint Handicap

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 57.49s

(6)

Robot Boy¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Fran Berry| T: T D Barron| OR: 98| D

8/1

Yet to run on this surface but the yard (54142411 with their runners here this year) have a good record here and so does the sire. Looked as though he needed the run on his return at the start of the year but could well step forward and just 3lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 50702-5

(5)

Poyle Vinnie¹¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 95| CD

11/2

A winner here over C&D when last seen on the Fibresand and has a 1251 record on the surface overall. Didn't end the turf season in good form but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back to form here back from a break a 2lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 004009-

(3)

Compas Scoobie^h,t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: P J McDonald| T: S C Williams| OR: 90| D

10/1

Turned into a useful handicapper last year winning on turf and AW off marks at up to 87. Shaped better than his final finishing position last time out (raced away from where the main action developed) over 5f at Newcastle and would be of interest if he handles this unique surface.

Form: 1505-34

(1)

Midnight Malibu²²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 90| CD

9/2

Still looks unexposed on Fibresand and comes into this off a career-high mark defending an unbeaten C&D record (2-2). This will be her toughest test to date here and she needs to improve again but can't be ruled out given how well she handles the surface.

Form: 48315-1

(4)

Foolaad^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: S R Bowring| OR: 88| CD

9/2

Can be a little hit-and-miss and tends to have his form in patches as he did when winning three consecutive handicaps in the spring. Given a lengthy break he resumed his winning ways last time over C&D in a 0-80 (had no problem with the trip); will need to improve again though of a 6lb higher mark.

Form: 111331-

(8)

Tricky Dicky⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: S H James| T: Olly Williams| OR: 84| BF| C

5/2

Has never finished out of the first two on Fibresand with a course record that reads 11222 but all of that over 6f. He didn't go with his usual zip over 6f last time and it may be that this trip will prove a little sharp for him against specialists at this trip having never run over 5f before.

Form: 73522-2

(7)

Shamshon^e/c1,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-6| J: A Mullen| T: S C Williams| OR: 83| BF| D

16/1

Showed his best form at Newmarket in July when winning over 5f off a mark of 87 but never quite matched that run. Three recent efforts have seen him run with credit twice without looking ready to win and he now tries Fibresand for the first time with his sire having a modest record here.

Form: 96348-5

(2)

Classic Pursuit^b²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-3| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 80| D

14/1

Usually responds well to pressure and did so in all his 5f handicap wins in 2017 (won three times). Showed up well on his return to action and Fibresand debut last time out (hampered start/raced away from the action) and can take a hand if he can handle this rise in grade.

Form: 7319-35

Forecasts

Tricky Dicky (5/2), Foolaad (9/2), Midnight Malibu (9/2), Poyle Vinnie (11/2), Robot Boy (8/1), Compas Scoobie (10/1), Classic Pursuit (14/1), Shamshon (16/1)

A competitive and interesting sprint and nearly all the field can be given some sort of chance although a few of them do have to handle the rise in grade. MIDNIGHT MALIBU still looks as though she has some improvement to come though on this surface and may well be able to defend her unbeaten C&D record. Robot Boy comes from a yard that know what it takes to win here and he looks a danger if he takes to this unique surface and the same could be said of Compas Scoobie. Poyle Vinnie and Classic Pursuit give trainer Mick Appleby a nice 1-2 punch in this although the former needs to come back to form and the latter needs to prove himself in this grade. Tricky Dicky has yet to run a poor race here but all those runs have been over 6f and this 5f may prove too sharp.