14:20 Southwell

Tuesday 1 January 2019

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

sunracing.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 1m 27.3s

(6)

Saint Equiano⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 88| D

5/1

First try on this surface for this one who has at times looked less than straightforward ( useful on his day). Showed his best form at Ayr (goes well there) on his penultimate start (made all to win); returns from a break 8lb above last winning mark.

Form: 042316-

(7)

Me Too Nagasaki^e/c1,t1⁴⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Toby Eley⁽⁷⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 86| BF| D

8/1

Missed all of 2018 and makes his first start for this yard trying the surface for the first time. Won twice in 2017 (once on AW) and should be capable off this mark (ran well off it when last seen) if he's ready to go; betting to provide a guide.

Form: 414232/

(5)

The Great Wall¹⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 84| BF| CD

7/2

A winner over C&D on his first start for this yard in a maiden he's shown some useful form since in handicaps; winner over 5f at Hamilton off 3lb lower. Finished lame on his only other start here and returns from a break; capable in this grade.

Form: 1/46215-

(1)

Custard The Dragon^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: J Mackie| OR: 82| CD

5/1

Six-time C&D winner; last of those wins coming in this race last year (off 1lb lower); typically comes with a late flourish. Performances tailed off after that win and he's not returned from a break in much form including over 1m here last time.

Form: 452995-

(4)

Call Out Loud^t,v²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 82| C| D

13/2

Unlucky not to have won a race in 2018 (runner-up on four consecutive starts) and has shown he can handle this surface in the past. Not disgraced when last seen in a higher grade than this and he's fallen to near a winning mark; won't be far away.

Form: 222045-

(3)

Angel Palanas^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 81| BF| CD

3/1

Has really taken to this surface of late with two C&D wins in lesser company than he will face here; continued his good run with 2nd over 6f last time. Races with plenty of enthusiasm from the front but may find the handicapper has caught up now.

Form: 539112-

(8)

Gentlemen^h²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Nicola Currie| T: P S McEntee| OR: 78| D

12/1

Ended a long losing run on the AW in November (on a rare going day) and tries the Fibresand for the 2nd time having finished a modest 4th on his first effort (behind Angel Palanas). Likely to find this grade a little too exacting on this surface.

Form: 971274-

(2)

Esprit De Corps²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: T D Barron| OR: 77

28/1

Very lightly-raced for this yard last year (ran twice); previously been with Roger Charlton. Strong in the betting for his first run for the yard he finished last and then disappointed on his first try on Fibresand behind two of his rivals today.

Form: 4520/88-

Forecasts

Angel Palanas (3/1), The Great Wall (7/2), Saint Equiano (5/1), Custard The Dragon (5/1), Call Out Loud (13/2), Me Too Nagasaki (8/1), Gentlemen (12/1), Esprit De Corps (28/1)

The earlier John Mackie trained Monks Stand has been well backed and the same trainer’s Custard The Dragon (six-time C&D winner)has attracted interest also despite being in poor form of late including on his favoured track. The likeable front-runner Angel Palanas will be dangerous if he gets free on the lead but this task may just prove beyond him. The Great Wall is more than capable of winning in this grade but a chance is taken with the other Appleby horse in the field CALL OUT LOUD. He’s shown he can handle this surface and off a mark such as this he could well make his mark.