18:35 Southwell

Tuesday 5 June 2018

All18:0518:3519:0519:3520:0520:3521:05

Tony Martin Ltd Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:37 | Winning time: 5m 22.8s

Bertie Lugg^p1²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: James Bowen| T: T R Gretton| OR: 107| CD

50/1

Course winner over hurdles in 2016 (2/9f), and productive over fences for Henry Oliver around this time in 2017 winning off a 5lb lower mark over 2m5f+ at Towcester. Poor since, including on stable debut and now wears cheek-pieces.

Form: 05/12P-9

Barton Rose²²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 106| CD

7/2

Mare who has won her fair share of races (5 from 39), and made the frame (beaten 10L) over this trip at Kempton latest. Place prospects from a similar mark.

Form: 13042-3

Too Many Diamonds²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 106| CD

6/4

This trainer has really brought out the best in this horse, and despite a blinding spell of form in May 2017, recent wind surgery has generated even more improvement. A C&D winner latest (good) and still well-treated off just 4lb higher.

Form: 13724-1

Mullaghboy^h,t¹³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: C Poste| T: O Murphy| OR: 104

16/1

Not seen masses of racing, but took a 2m5f match at Fakenham on heavy ground on New Years Day before a tame effort next time at Fontwell. Off since and yet to fully convince over fences so more required.

Form: 313F14-

Ulis De Vassy^p¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 104| CD

8/1

Well suited by this track, but found wanting over 3m here in a stronger race recently. Drop back in trip/grade both an obvious plus, but 8lb higher than for his C&D victory in April (good).

Form: 41-2335

Romeo Is Bleeding^t²⁸⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: K Bishop| OR: 103| D

33/1

Veteran who has seen plenty of racing at Worcester since joining this trainer, and was a winner there on his last start in August 2017 (2m4f good). Up 5lb and with an absence to overcome; yard also supplies Desertmore View.

Form: 19/22P1-

Oscar O'scar^p¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 101

8/1

Didn't appear to be overly suited by the unique test that is Cartmel latest, but prior to that was a runner up at Sedgefield (2m3f+) and with his stable continuing in excellent order could fare better here.

Form: 4536-24

The Jugopolist^b¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Cornwall| OR: 77| D

11/1

Veteran who showed signs of an unexpected revival at Uttoxeter last month (2m6f+ good), but his overall record of 2/43 over fences isn't the best and he has pulled up on his last two visits to Southwell.

Form: 6PP6-72

King Golan^b,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 74

8/1

Maiden (0/13 under rules) and well beaten over C&D latest; admittedly on his first start since November, but very tough to consider from out of the handicap.

Form: PUP33-4

Non-Runners

Desertmore View⁵¹

Weight: 12-1| Age: 10

T: K Bishop J: Lorcan Williams

Forecasts

Too Many Diamonds (6/4), Barton Rose (7/2), Oscar O'scar (8/1), King Golan (8/1), Ulis De Vassy (8/1), Desertmore View (8/1), The Jugopolist (11/1), Mullaghboy (16/1), Romeo Is Bleeding (33/1), Bertie Lugg (50/1)

Dan Skelton knows exactly how to get the very best out of TOO MANY DIAMONDS, and this improving seven-year-old brought his record for the stable to 5 from 10 when winning over C&D last month and rates as difficult to oppose from just a 4lb higher mark. Others with each-way claims include the course specialist Ulis De Vassy, the mare Barton Rose, and the not wholly straightforward Oscar O'scar.