13:40 Southwell

Tuesday 27 November 2018

All12:1012:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:40

Betway Sprint Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 13:42 | Winning time: 1m 7.2s

(5)

Astraea²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 54

5/2

Makes her Fibresand debut having had a wind op recently and springing back to life in a Catterick handicap last time (6f). Gave the impression there that 7f would suit although her mark has slipped appreciably; dangerous if she takes to the surface.

Form: 8-86003

(11)

Imperial Legend^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: A D Brown| OR: 52| D

20/1

Had just the one outing here having run some sound enough races in modest handicaps on turf this year (won twice earlier in the year). Can be excused his latest turf run but this trip on this track may just test him; blinkers back on.

Form: 200320

(9)

Give Em A Clump^v³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: P D Evans| OR: 50| D

14/1

His losing run is starting to build up now and get a little worrying but he has run one decent race on this surface before over this trip. Hard to fashion a case for him on his recent starts but is now 10lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 624460

(10)

Fortinbrass²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Izzy Clifton⁽⁷⁾| T: J Balding| OR: 50| CD

14/1

Five wins on this surface (four C&D) show that he's at home here although he's had plenty of chances on Fibresand since he was last victorious on it. Not seen here since earlier in the year and lightly raced over the summer; needed the run last time.

Form: 544200

(2)

Coiste Bodhar^b¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 48| CD

9/2

Took a division of this race back in 2015 and is a three time C&D winner (5 wins here overall). Looked rather out of sorts when last seen here and is proving as inconsistent as ever despite racing off a reduced mark.

Form: 900396

(3)

Itsupforgrabsnow²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J F Egan| T: H Chisman| OR: 47| BF

6/1

One of the few Fibresand virgins in this race and still lightly-raced she is still a maiden though and this will prove a different experience. By a sire with a good record here though and if she could be taught to settle would be of interest.

Form: 78650

(14)

Canadian Royal^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: P J McDonald| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 45

16/1

Placed 3rd on his first three visits here he's still a maiden on the Flat (0-20) and hasn't threatened to change that fact in his last few runs. May appreciate being back on Fibresand off a basement mark but others appeal more.

Form: 900059

(1)

Jazz Legend²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: Miss M E Rowland| OR: 45| D

12/1

Made his debut for this yard on his one previous try on Fibresand and now returns for another try on this unique surface. Ran well enough over 6f at Catterick last time although ran too free; handicapper has helped but needs to settle better.

Form: 070-305

(12)

Whispering Soul²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: G Lee| T: B P J Baugh| OR: 45

25/1

Like a few in this field has a questionable wins/runs ratio; 1-30 for this one and its 19 starts since she recorded that sole win. Not disgraced last time but needs an even weaker affair than this before she's of any interest.

Form: 493405

(8)

Ticks The Boxes^v1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: R Winston| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 45| CD

13/2

His C&D win was his only win in eight starts on the Fibresand and he's hardly the most reliable type just finishing in midfield last time (well behind Cupid's Arrow who runs in division one of this); visor on first time but limited appeal.

Form: 083070

(7)

Sir Geoffrey^b¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 8-12| J: K T O'Neill| T: S Dixon| OR: 45| CD

12/1

A nine-times winner here (four C&D) he's in the veteran stage now with his last win having come right at the start of the year off a 7lb higher mark. Offered little on his comeback run though and hard to think he can progress here.

Form: 470800

Non-Runners

(4)

Cool Strutter³⁶

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: J L Spearing J: Non Runner

(6)

Blue Suede²⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: R K Watson J: Non Runner

(13)

Blistering Dancer³⁴

Weight: 8-12| Age: 8

T: A W Carroll J: Joey Haynes

Forecasts

Astraea (5/2), Cool Strutter (4/1), Coiste Bodhar (9/2), Itsupforgrabsnow (6/1), Ticks The Boxes (13/2), Blistering Dancer (8/1), Jazz Legend (12/1), Sir Geoffrey (12/1), Give Em A Clump (14/1), Fortinbrass (14/1), Blue Suede (14/1), Canadian Royal (16/1), Imperial Legend (20/1), Whispering Soul (25/1)

This looks harder than the first division due to the lack of any very consistent form although there is room for something to come back to form with a few like Fortinbrass and Coiste Bodhar having shown good form here in the past. Blistering Dancer has shown some ability here and if Itsupforgrabsnow could be taught to settle she could well effective on Fibresand given her sire (Footstepsinthesand) has a good record here. Both Imperial Legend and Cool Strutter can be given chances but in the end ASTRAEA who makes her debut here is given the nod on the strength of her reduced mark and eye-catching run last time.