myracing.com For Free Southwell Tips Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:40 | Winning time: 5m 14.9s

Bestwork²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 122| BF| D

11/1

Never ever threatened after being gifted an easy lead on his penultimate start at Kempton (2m4f+ novices), but not in the same fettle off this mark at Newton Abbot latest; needs to lead in order to perform.

Form: 16P51-P

Riddlestown^b²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: C Fryer| OR: 115| CD

11/1

Has won on a further three occasions (all at Towcester) since recording back-to-back C&D victories in early 2017 (good), so plenty to like about his attitude/reliability; ground fine but 6lb above his last winning mark.

Form: P33P-21

Foundation Man²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Alain Cawley| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 114| D

20/1

No win since December 2016 and could only keep on at the one pace over a similar trip at Bangor last month when finishing just under 9L third to Zolfo; improvement needed.

Form: 756F2-3

Reckless Behavior²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 114

12/1

Well backed when a game hurdles winner at Market Rasen in early April (2m4f+ heavy), but looked far from a natural over fences on debut at Towcester latest, so this probably rates as another learning experience; others stronger.

Form: 24619-2

Copper West²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 113| BF

10/3

Beaten in a match here last month (2m) on his first start since wind surgery (also his chase debut). Permitted to be sharper and fitter for that outing but remains a rules maiden at present (0 from 7).

Form: 44335-2

Too Many Diamonds⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 106| CD

6/4

Made it two on the bounce (both over C&D) when absolutely hacking up last week and looks well treated under similar conditions with just a 7lb penalty; now 6 from 11 for this in-form trainer/jockey combination.

Form: 3724-11

Alf 'n' Dor^b,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 107| BF| D

5/1

Largely consistent, but no star and it was only a selling chase that he won at Ffos Las in April (2m3f+ soft). Trip, ground, track probably all suitable but a few of the others hold more compelling claims.

Form: 251-232

Forecasts

Too Many Diamonds (6/4), Copper West (10/3), Alf 'n' Dor (5/1), Bestwork (11/1), Riddlestown (11/1), Reckless Behavior (12/1), Foundation Man (20/1)

Riddlestown is a very likeable C&D winning chaser, but he has his work cut out tonight against the thriving TOO MANY DIAMONDS. Dan Skelton knows exactly how to get the best out of this horse (6 from 11 for the stable), and with last week's romp very much in the forefront of mind, he looks impossible to oppose under the statutory 7lb penalty.