16:50 Southwell

Friday 20 April 2018

All16:5017:2517:5518:2518:5519:2519:55

Reach & Flower Pod Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 5m 7.40s

Militarian²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 114| D

6/1

Maiden point-to-point winner who returned from 11-months off to run well in a Market Rasen novices' chase (3m, soft) in February. A 13lb rise saw him pulled up in handicap company last time. Drops 4lb again here with a bit to prove now.

Form: 9744-2P

Cobajayisland⁸⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 113| D

15/2

Pulled up on both starts since winning a 3m handicap chase (good to soft) at Uttoxeter in 2016. Back for more here and dropped to that same winning mark, but clearly has a fair bit to prove.

Form: 3421-PP

Free Range^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 113

13/2

Has been unable to get in much of a blow since landing a Fakenham maiden hurdle (2m, good) in November, though has produced a couple of better efforts in defeat over fences at both Ludlow and Fontwell. Probably has each-way claims.

Form: 243424

Fergal Mael Duin^b,t⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 112

6/1

Both his wins have been at Fontwell over 2m5f on good to sot/soft ground. Form since the beginning of 2017 has largely been uninspiring. On a handy mark as a result, but another with a fair bit to prove.

Form: 7-65F5F

Morning Reggie^b²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Conor Shoemark| T: O Sherwood| OR: 110| D

9/1

Has been unable to reproduce his winning effort from Sandown 13-months ago in five subsequent runs. Conditions/trip are fine and he is now back on that same mark as when successful, so a revival can't be ruled out.

Form: 17-6P4P

The Dawn Man⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Dave Crosse| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 108

7/1

Won an Irish point-to-point last year and promised to follow suit under rules on his first three starts, making the frame twice at similar trips to this. Tailed off on chase debut last time from 4lb higher and others preferred.

Form: 1-34355

Little Windmill^b1,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 102| D

25/1

Usually very competitive from around this mark and won when last on it in a 2m5f Fakenham handicap chase (heavy) in January. Goes on any ground and although he is an in-and-out performer, you wouldn't want to write him off.

Form: 3P1P2P

Ulis De Vassy^b³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 96| C

4/1

Was in good form in February, winning twice here over 1m7½f (both soft ground). Handicapper appears to have caught up with him again in two runs since and although only 4lb higher than his latest success he will need to eek out more.

Form: 213144

Dartford Warbler⁶¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 95| BF| D

7/1

Last win was in November 2015 and has largely been some way below that level of form since, so is now 17lb lower. Conditions/trip no problem but beaten 10L from this mark when favourite last time and proving expensive to follow.

Form: 625442

Forecasts

Ulis De Vassy (4/1), Militarian (6/1), Fergal Mael Duin (6/1), Free Range (13/2), Dartford Warbler (7/1), The Dawn Man (7/1), Cobajayisland (15/2), Morning Reggie (9/1), Little Windmill (25/1)

An opener in which caution is advised given that virtually all the field has one or more questions to answer. That includes LITTLE WINDMILL, though Neil King's gelding tends to put in one good run followed by a below par effort. He is back on a winning mark today and with no problem in terms of conditions or trip, he is suggested in the hope that this is a going day. Morning Reggie is also nicely treated if able to spark a revival and the same goes for Fergal Mael Duln, while Free Range represents a stable who's runners are still in decent nick and should be thereabouts.