14:40 Southwell

Thursday 31 January 2019

All13:3514:0514:4015:1015:4016:10

Ladbrokes Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 1m 19.27s

(4)

Tobeeornottobee⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D Carroll| OR: 66| D

2/1

Second career victory when bolting up at Newcastle last month. Much more to do after being raised 11lb, but is in form and seemingly on the upgrade.

Form: 179331-

(5)

Melgate Magic^b,t⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 65| CD

6/4

Blinkered for the first time when scoring in decisive fashion over C&D on latest outing. Much more to do off 9lb higher, but has to be considered on the assumption the headgear works its magic again.

Form: 567451-

(1)

Not So Shy¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: E J Walsh| T: P D Evans| OR: 56

18/1

Without a win in 11 starts, but went close off this mark when runner-up at Lingfield recently. Previous run on this surface was not encouraging, but it may be that she is a better filly now.

Form: 53777-2

(8)

Valley Belle^v¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Josephine Gordon| T: P S McEntee| OR: 56| D

16/1

Chelmsford winner on stable debut in November, but has not been able to match that level of form in five subsequent races. Inching back down the handicap, but has a bit to prove.

Form: 12776-5

(7)

Geography Teacher¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 53| CD

13/2

Successful on his only run over this C&D in December after which he went up in the weights. Latest effort over 7f at Wolverhampton was encouraging and he makes a good deal of appeal return to Fibresand off 1lb lower.

Form: 2515-75

(6)

Piccothepack¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 53

25/1

Looked promising when runner-up at Chelmsford on debut, but four displays since then have been underwhelming. First try on Fibresand and it needs to eke out significant improvement.

Form: 264P-9

(9)

Champagne Mondays^p¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Nicola Currie| T: S Dixon| OR: 52| CD

12/1

Successful in a classified contest over C&D two starts ago and may have found 7f too far in handicap company last time. Down 1lb and may be able to bounce back.

Form: 40631-9

(2)

Bawtry Lady^b,e/s1⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 48

25/1

No wins in eight races and was well behind Geography Teacher over C&D last month. Eyeshields fitted for the first time.

Form: 9843-65

Non-Runners

(3)

Fast Endeavour⁴⁹

Weight: 8-10| Age: 3

T: Ian Williams J: S Donohoe

Forecasts

Melgate Magic (6/4), Tobeeornottobee (2/1), Geography Teacher (13/2), Champagne Mondays (12/1), Fast Endeavour (14/1), Valley Belle (16/1), Not So Shy (18/1), Bawtry Lady (25/1), Piccothepack (25/1)

Fast Endeavour is worth keeping an eye on with the future in mind, but preference is for GEOGRAPHY TEACHER, who won his only race over C&D and shaped well last time. Tobeeornottobee and Melgate Magic are on the upgrade and are feared despite their rise in the weights, while others to consider include Champagne Mondays and Not So Shy.