14:00 Southwell

Tuesday 27 March 2018

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30

Betway Handicap

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 1m 15.61s

(6)

Katheefa¹⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: J Garritty| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 77

10/1

Formerly with Charles Hills he makes his stable/Fibresand debut having shaped well in his only handicap so far over 7f (better than final placing). Given his run style (smooth traveller) and his pedigree is an interesting newcomer to this surface.

Form: 84419-

(9)

Siege Of Boston^t⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 77

6/1

Continues to slide in the handicap but is still below his best currently although his most recent effort here was better than his previous one. Dangerous to totally discount him but does need to improve on what he's of late.

Form: 46-4604

(5)

Crosse Fire⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: L Morris| T: S Dixon| OR: 77| BF| CD

3/1

Once again creeping up beyond his last winning mark on the back of a couple of good efforts since his last win and is being kept busy. Found only one too good in his last two runs and another solid effort looks likely here on a track he acts well on.

Form: 022122

(4)

Monks Stand^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: S De Sousa| T: J Mackie| OR: 70| CD

5/2

Ran poorly on his Fibresand/stable (without usual headgear) but landed a decent gamble last time out with cheekpieces back on over C&D. Doesn't always look an easy ride but still well treated on his old form and looks suited to this surface.

Form: 3095-81

(1)

Run With Pride²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 64| D

28/1

Has now had three attempts on Fibresand and it looks as though it's a surface that he has failed to take to. Was ridden too aggressively on his one try over C&D but not one to make too many excuses for.

Form: 663354

(7)

Space War^t¹⁸⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 9-6| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 62| BF| C| D

40/1

Had looked a natural on Fibresand when winning over a mile here back in 2015 off this mark and has won off higher marks since on other AW surfaces. However, has run poorly here twice since and returns from an absence off the back of a poor run.

Form: 500854-

(3)

Branscombe^b³^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 67| D

6/1

Had started to look a hard ride before being seemingly transformed by some first-time blinkers over this trip at Lingfield last time bouncing back to his best. Returns quickly under a penalty on a new surface; sire has a decent record here.

Form: 276-571

(8)

Gabrial The Devil^p1⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S A Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 69| BF

8/1

Makes his debut on Fibresand but remains a maiden with plenty of placed efforts to his name. Again ran well last time over 6f (travelled well) but was touched off late on; pedigree gives some hope that he'll act on this surface.

Form: 6242-32

(2)

Gleaming Sun¹⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 59

20/1

One of two runners from his yard he makes his Fibresand/handicap debut with his sire yet to produce a winner here (0/15). Not seen since last October when well beaten on turf he not really gone on from his debut.

Form: 449-

Forecasts

Monks Stand (5/2), Crosse Fire (3/1), Siege Of Boston (6/1), Branscombe (6/1), Gabrial The Devil (8/1), Katheefa (10/1), Gleaming Sun (20/1), Run With Pride (28/1), Space War (40/1)

Quite an intriguing contest with a couple of recent Fibresand winners in Crosse Fire and Monks Stand of obvious interest although both face a challenge from some improving sorts who could be dangerous if they take to this surface. Chief among that group would be BRANSCOMBE who fairly swept home a few days ago and looks to have a run style and pedigree that will be suited by this surface. Gabrial The Devil is another who looks capable of winning a contest like this with the most fascinating contender the newcomer to the Ruth Carr stable Katheefa. The yard do well with this type and he has a pedigree that should be suited by Fibresand and any positive market signals should be noted.