16:20 Southwell

Tuesday 6 March 2018

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

sunbets.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 1m 42.79s

(3)

Mister Music²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Aled Beech⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 81| C| D

9/2

Defends his unbeaten record (2/2) here stepping up to a mile (both wins over 7f). Defied a 6lb rise when winning last time and now up another 4lb but looks as though he can defy that mark and has won over this trip in the past; leading chance.

Form: 5548-11

(10)

Pearl Spectre¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 81| CD

8/1

His only win on Fibresand came over this trip and he takes a slight drop in class here after contesting a 0-90 at Lingfield last time. Slips back below his last winning mark with a capable apprentice taking off a further 5lb.

Form: 45-5469

(6)

Trading Punches¹³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: D H Brown| OR: 80

8/1

Lightly-raced sort since winning a 7f Chepstow maiden back in 2016 but looked out of sorts for much of last year in handicaps. The handicapper is starting to release his grip and given his connections he's worth a market check on Fibresand debut.

Form: 9/25789-

(9)

Storm King^p¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Fran Berry| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 79| C| D

16/1

All his form on Fibresand (21325) has come over further although he has won over this trip a long while ago. Hasn't really looked himself since finishing fourth of 23 in the November handicap and something to prove here.

Form: 0488-59

(4)

Monsieur Jimmy³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: G C O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 78| CD

10/1

Up in grade again after proving better than ever when winning last time out over C&D (now 6lb higher). Travelled well in that race and handles this surface but has to improve again. Not the most consistent sort and more needed here.

Form: 821-591

(1)

Zefferino¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁷⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 74

8/1

AW maiden winner in May last year, he's fared no more than averagely in handicaps since with the handicapper looking to hold sway for the most part. Now tries this surface for the first time and may be best watched on this occasion.

Form: 1690-64

(2)

Spun Gold^b,t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: C Fellowes| OR: 73| BF| CD

3/1

First-time blinkers and a tongue strap plus a change of surface appeared to be the catalyst for back-to-back wins here (one over C&D). Appreciated a return here last time but does gave the odd quirk and may be held off this mark.

Form: 861-164

(5)

Boots And Spurs^v¹¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: L Morris| T: S Dixon| OR: 70| BF| CD

16/1

Two C&D wins to his name and ended the turf season with a flourish, winning off a 7lb higher mark at Catterick over 7f. Now back from a break but may just need this against some race fit types.

Form: 000127-

(7)

Chaucer's Tale³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 65| BF

5/1

Taking on a slightly higher level than usual, he has twice run well on this surface with one of those runs over this trip. Holding his form well and although he's out of the handicap, he's not without a chance and trip will suit.

Form: 3212-22

Non-Runners

(8)

Sooqaan¹⁴

Weight: 9-1| Age: 7

T: A Brittain J: Cam Hardie

(11)

Zaeem³³

Weight: 9-1| Age: 9

T: I Furtado J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

Spun Gold (3/1), Mister Music (9/2), Chaucer's Tale (5/1), Trading Punches (8/1), Pearl Spectre (8/1), Zefferino (8/1), Sooqaan (8/1), Monsieur Jimmy (10/1), Zaeem (10/1), Boots And Spurs (16/1), Storm King (16/1)

This looks to be the most competitive race on the card with plenty in this who have run well and won on Fibresand in the past. Mister Music is the obvious starting point as he puts his unbeaten record here on the line stepping up in trip and he won’t be far away. Sooqaan and Spun Gold have wins to their name over C&D but may need to find a little more off their current marks with Zaeem looking as though he’ll be better over 7f despite the good recent form of his yard. CHAUCER’S TALE has to prove himself in this grade but he acts well on the Fibresand and may well be able to improve on his two runner-up slots here so far. If there is one to watch in the betting them it’s Trading Punches who represents connections who have had plenty of success around here and have landed a few gambles in the past on the Fibresand.