13:20 Southwell

Thursday 10 January 2019

All12:4513:2013:5514:2515:0015:35

Betway Sprint Handicap

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 58.31s

(6)

Ornate⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 86| D

6/1

Looks to be finding his form again off a reduced mark and may well be able to race closer to the action this time having twice been drawn in stall 1. Form ties in closely with Acclaim The Nation and should go close to returning to winning ways.

Form: 60442-3

(5)

Erissimus Maximus^b²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Nicola Currie| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 85| CD

13/2

Took advantage of a drop in the weights to score at Ascot in October (5f) and has some sound form to his name here including a C&D win. Fourth on his last start here behind three of today's rivals there won't be much between that quartet again.

Form: 601204-

(4)

Midnight Malibu⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 84| CD

7/1

Started his Fibresand career with two C&D wins and not seen here since finishing a sound second In February off a 5lb higher mark. Successful in two turf 5f handicaps over the summer he's been struggling for form on the AW of late.

Form: 348077-

(3)

Classic Pursuit^v¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 81| CD

8/1

After a string of placed efforts over C&D he finally claimed a victory (Samovar back in second) by a neck staying on late off an attractive mark compared to his turf one. Still looks well weighted (only raised 2lb) if the visor works as well again.

Form: 430371-

(1)

Acclaim The Nation^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: E J Alston| OR: 80| CD

15/8

On a track where forcing tactics are often profitable he made all to record a career-best on his debut start over C&D last time beating three of today's rivals. Pushed up 2lb (now on a career-high mark) he needs to improve again to follow up.

Form: 270921-

(2)

Eternal Sun²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 76| CD

8/1

Not had much racing but looked to be an improving sort on her second run here (first in a handicap) coming from off a strong pace to win with a little in hand. Handicap debut had shown promise; should be able to cope with a 5lb rise in the weights.

Form: 74181-

(8)

Samovar^b¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: S Dixon| OR: 75| BF| CD

7/1

Regular visitor here whose best form has come over this trip (two wins here over 5f); has been rather unlucky not to add to his winning tally of late. Always runs an honest race but can be vulnerable in a finish; could so with a slight ease in grade.

Form: 460432-

(7)

Jacob's Pillow¹⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 72| CD

50/1

No stranger to the Fibresand although most of his runs have been over further but has won at this trip here and on turf. Not seen since September when an easy to back 10-1 chance at Hamilton (5f, soft); may just need the outing against fitter types.

Form: 060619-

Forecasts

Acclaim The Nation (15/8), Ornate (6/1), Erissimus Maximus (13/2), Midnight Malibu (7/1), Samovar (7/1), Eternal Sun (8/1), Classic Pursuit (8/1), Jacob's Pillow (50/1)

A competitive event with quite a few of these having crossed swords before including a quartet that finished 1-2-3-4 in a C&D event just before Christmas. Acclaim The Nation was the winner of that event beating Ornate and Samovar both of whom have run well since but have been beaten over C&D. Eric Alston’s charge is a real speedball but may just be vulnerable this time of a career-high mark. Both Ornate and Samovar may have to settle for places again with ETERNAL SUN favoured by the likely strong pace he will have to aim at to follow up his last C&D win. Classic Pursuit is another with good form over this 5f but he does look the type who needs everything to drop right.