16:20 Southwell

Thursday 22 February 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Betway Selling Handicap

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 2m 38.67s

(1)

Bushel¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: E J Walsh⁽³⁾| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 56| C| D

16/1

Dropped a long way in the weights to return to form last April off a 1lb higher mark winning here for the second time. That win came over 1f shorter but he does have form figures of 223 over this trip; ran poorly last time out but does appreciate this surface.

Form: 9/0510-0

(9)

The Lock Master^p⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 9-6| J: Jane Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 55| CD

7/1

Nine times a winner around here (2/16 over C&D) he's dropped considerably in the weights since his last win (that came off 14lb higher). Clearly not the force of old he now drops again in grade but did run poorly here last time.

Form: 676-429

(8)

Leonard Thomas^v1¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Aled Beech⁽⁷⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 53

4/1

Had no chance in a strangely run race last time and is better judged on his two outings around here (placed both times). His usual cheekpieces are now exchanged for a first-time visor and a repeat of either of his two runs will see him play a major role.

Form: 0-73235

(4)

Travis Bickle^b⁹³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 46

14/1

No previous form on this surface (does have a US pedigree) and returns to the course after a long absence. Very lightly raced and remains a maiden and more than likely to need this.

Form: 839344/

(11)

Avocet^p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: L Morris| T: O Murphy| OR: 46

5/2

From a yard that are in good form over jumps and this one is certainly of interest if her debut run on the Flat can be taken at face value (third off a basement mark). Not seen to the same effect last time (didn't get the run of the race); first run on Fibresand (pedigree a positive for this surface).

Form: 0360-35

(12)

Simply Clever²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: A Mullen| T: D H Brown| OR: 46

12/1

Has shown some aptitude for this surface and has been dropped to a lowly mark by the handicapper. Her last two runs have been poor though and even though she is dropped in grade others make more appeal.

Form: 088-396

(3)

Sharp Operator^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Hollie Doyle| T: C Wallis| OR: 45

8/1

Still a maiden but ran a creditable enough race last time out at Chelmsford in an apprentice handicap (poorly placed; ran too free). She drops in grade again here and has a pedigree that should be suited by this surface.

Form: 90-8734

(2)

Clayton Hall^v¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Sullivan| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 45

7/1

Still looked rather quirky under pressure last time out when he turned in his best effort for quite some time. He may well have been flattered by his proximity to the easy winner who has been in good form of late; chance if he repeats that effort.

Form: 609-642

(10)

Monzino⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 8-10| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 45| CD

33/1

Although he has won here those victories were some time ago now and his recent form on the Flat and over hurdles fails to inspire. Even in this lowly grade he's not one to place much faith in.

Form: 8-88939

(7)

Tilly Devine^b⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: S Dixon| OR: 46| C

12/1

Scored a win here from out of the clue on her second try on the surface but that win did come over a mile. Looked to struggle over this trip last time out and that leaves doubts about the suitability of another try at this trip.

Form: 155-757

(6)

Remember Nerja^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: F Norton| T: B Leavy| OR: 45

14/1

Has one effort to her name that would give her a chance but even that looks to be modest form. Finished 6th over C&D last time (first try on Fibresand) and looks slightly quirky; others make more appeal.

Form: 0737-76

(5)

Red Shanghai^e/s¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: C Smith| OR: 45

50/1

Shown very little in 12 previous attempts here and it looked as though she failed to stay this trip last time out in first-time eyeshields. Hard to fashion a case on what she has shown so far.

Form: 57-0065

Forecasts

Avocet (5/2), Leonard Thomas (4/1), Clayton Hall (7/1), The Lock Master (7/1), Sharp Operator (8/1), Tilly Devine (12/1), Simply Clever (12/1), Travis Bickle (14/1), Remember Nerja (14/1), Bushel (16/1), Monzino (33/1), Red Shanghai (50/1)

Not the best contest ever staged at Southwell but here are a few that are dropping in grade and worth a look. LEONARD THOMAS had no chance the way the race he was in at Newcastle was run last time but judged on his two previous runs here a drop into this grade sees him with a major chance. Bushel has to be respected returned to this track with his record here and he’s now 1lb below his last winning mark. Both Avocet and Sharp Operator make their first starts here but have pedigrees that show they should be suited by this surface and that duo would be interesting with market support. Clayton Hall is worth a mention based on his last run here but he is quirky and not guaranteed to reproduce that run.