Betway Stayers 'Rated 57-76' Handicap

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 4m 17.07s

(1)

Western Way^v¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: D E Cantillon| OR: 73| BF

3/1

Has looked useful when winning back-to-back 2m handicaps at Chelmsford and Kempton although both came off lower marks than today. Showed he could be competitive off this mark though when a good second last time out in a race that didn't play to his strengths; Fibresand debut.

Form: 728-112

(3)

Epitaph^b¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 73| C

4/1

Plenty of form on the Fibresand and is a consistent sort and proved himself over 2m last time (this will be more of a test though). Has crept back up above his winning mark and looks to be held off marks like this especially as he can race freely.

Form: 3-51253

(6)

Cousin Khee^b¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 9-4| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁷⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 67| CD

9/4

A C&D winner last time despite reaching the veteran stage ending what had become a long losing run. Travelled well throughout that race really looking at home over the trip and has plenty of other good form on the Fibresand; up 4lb for that win but must have a good chance of a repeat.

Form: 6642-31

(4)

Ruler Of The Nile¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Stephens| OR: 62| C

7/2

Finished well behind Cousin Khee here last time out over C&D and has won on Fibresand in the past. Despite the turnaround in the weights will do well to reverse the last time out form and a place looks likely the best he can hope for here.

Form: 4442-06

(2)

Leodis⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: T P Tate| OR: 56

5/1

Has twice finished 5th in AW maidens here over 1m4f looking on both occasions as though he needs further. Had the run of the race last time upped in trip for his handicap debut (could still do with more of a test) and still low mileage and an interesting contender off this mark.

Form: 95-53

Non-Runners

(5)

Mambo Dancer¹

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: C & M Johnston J: F Norton

Forecasts

Cousin Khee (9/4), Mambo Dancer (5/2), Western Way (3/1), Ruler Of The Nile (7/2), Epitaph (4/1), Leodis (5/1)

This isn’t a trip that is that commonly used at Southwell but Cousin Khee was quite an impressive winner last time out here over C&D and he must have a good chance of following up despite being in the veteran stage of his career. Both Western Way and Mambo Dancer have been in good form over the winter but neither has experience of this surface and LEODIS appeals as a type to be suited by a test like this. He’s had a couple of goes here over inadequate trips and handicaps looks sure to suit him better.