13:05 Southwell

Thursday 25 January 2018

All13:0513:3514:1014:4515:2015:55

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 2m 37.37s

(8)

Buthelezi^p²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 9-11| J: S Donohoe| T: B Ellison| OR: 56

2/1

Incredibly well handicapped on his old form (has won off as high as 88) but clearly not the force that he once was. His two starts on this surface have been slightly underwhelming (given a lot to do last time) may be better with professional handling.

Form: 70068-5

(3)

The Gay Cavalier^t⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Jack Osborn⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 55

8/1

Often slow away a trait that is not ideal for this surface as he makes his Fibresand debut. Last two starts have been typical of him in many ways - travelling well after a slow start and then finding things too much at the business end; chance if he take to Fibresand.

Form: 7670-42

(1)

Nanny Makfi^t1²⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: B Barr| OR: 53| BF

33/1

Tongue-tie goes on for the first time on her initial Fibresand run (sire has an excellent strike-rate here; 23%). Not seen since last May though when she had her first run for this yard (well backed in first time cheekpieces) and dropped just a 1lb for that run.

Form: 23252/6-

(5)

Leonard Thomas^p⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: E J Walsh⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 53

3/1

Had shown some of his old ability on his penultimate start and certainly built on that last time on his first run on Fibresand over 1m3f. Up 2lb for that run when only beaten a head by one with a good record here (challenged on unfavoured part of track); leading chance now over a furlong further.

Form: 660-732

(11)

Dream Serenade²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: A Mullen| T: M Appleby| OR: 49

9/2

Has done little wrong on her two runs here (finished third both times) without suggesting that she is up to winning something like this. Not easy to settle on occasions and that can impact on her finishing effort and may again be found wanting at the death.

Form: 90333-0

(6)

Medieval Bishop¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: A Forbes| OR: 45| D

40/1

His best effort of his three tries on Fibresand came over this trip although he's not been seen here for a while. Most of his recent form has come at Wolverhampton and he ran poorly after a break last time and he makes limited appeal here.

Form: 4/5576-9

(9)

Yasir³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: C R Dore| OR: 45| CD

8/1

Capable on this surface but he's probably best summed up by his record here of 1/16 (never looks an easy ride) although his one win did come over C&D. He's been hurdling of late though (successful once) and this will be his first AW run since October.

Form: 786407-

(10)

Master Of Song^p,t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 9-1| J: Kevin Lundie⁽⁵⁾| T: S R Bowring| OR: 45| CD

12/1

Has a record here of 5/25 and is 114 over C&D and his last two starts have shown that he still has some ability off these lowly marks. His last win did come here nearly two years ago though over a mile off 52 so whilst well handicapped he does come with some risks attached.

Form: 55/8033-

(7)

Clayton Hall^p³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 45

66/1

Has had just a couple of runs here but it's hard to say on the evidence of those two runs that he's suited by this surface. Looks to be struggling for any sort of form at the moment and even in this lowly grade he's best watched for now.

Form: 959609-

(4)

Reason To Believe¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 47

25/1

Dropped into selling grade last time out she performed with credit to finish third over this trip having had no chance with the first two at the weights. Travelled quite well for a long way and now gets her first taste of Fibresand back in handicaps; sire has a 14% strike-rate here.

Form: 40704-3

(2)

Holyroman Princess^v⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: George Downing| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 45

33/1

Made her debut for this yard here recently after previously being with Rod Millman but showed very little for the change of environment. Hard to make much of a case for her here on what she has shown so far.

Form: 058075-

Forecasts

Buthelezi (2/1), Leonard Thomas (3/1), Dream Serenade (9/2), The Gay Cavalier (8/1), Yasir (8/1), Master Of Song (12/1), Reason To Believe (25/1), Nanny Makfi (33/1), Holyroman Princess (33/1), Medieval Bishop (40/1), Clayton Hall (66/1)

There are a few in here with a chance in this opening handicap with the most solid of the chances held by LEONARD THOMAS if he repeats his first run on Fibresand this time around. He looked a little unlucky in that race and if he gets a better run through this time he may well be able to open his Fibresand account. Nanny Makfi is interesting if she is ready to roll after a break for a yard that do well here and her breeding suggests she will enjoy the surface. Both Buthelezi and Master Of Song are well handicapped on their old form with the latter holding a 114 record over C&D. Reason To Believe would be another of interest if she takes to the surface having run well last time out when badly off at the weights.