16:10 Southwell

Wednesday 27 February 2019

All14:3015:0515:3516:1016:4017:10

sunracing.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 26.29s

(8)

Gurkha Friend¹⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 95

33/1

One of the few here without any course experience he was in good form last year winning two of his six starts in game fashion from the front. Ran a fine race in defeat off 2lb lower when last seen (September); interesting if he takes to Fibresand.

Form: 711252-

(7)

Three Weeks^p³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93| C

11/1

Got his head in front on Fibresand on his penultimate starts having turned in a couple of good efforts here in his first two starts for this yard. Ran over 1m4f away from here last time and this will be the shortest trip that he's tried here.

Form: 6422-12

(9)

Saint Equiano⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 92| CD

4/1

Had two of today's rivals back in second and seventh when winning over C&D last time; looked to relish the surface and soon had the contest won from the front. Has shown some quirks in the past but looked straight enough; up 4lb for that win.

Form: 42316-1

(1)

Custard The Dragon^v⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: A Mullen| T: J Mackie| OR: 84| CD

10/1

Six-time C&D winner who was behind Saint Equiano on his latest start here (ran in a visor)l looks to have work to do at the weights with that one. Has run well since though winning at Newcastle but back above his last winning mark again.

Form: 95-2516

(5)

Robero^e/s⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Sean Kirrane⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 84| CD

33/1

Hit form either side of Christmas Day with a C&D win (off a 10lb lower mark); followed up under a penalty at Wolverhampton (7f). Found his good form coming to an end straight after that though as the busy spell took its toll; returns from a break.

Form: 2311-54

(3)

Weld Al Emarat⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 83| CD

5/2

C&D winner who has three course wins to his name; bounced back from his only defeat last time reversing the placings with Angel Palanas. Seen to better effect last time; up 3b for that last win but still respected off a career-high mark.

Form: 84512-1

(4)

Space Bandit²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 83| CD

11/4

Gained his second C&D success last time winning in clear-cut style by 5L; once again looking well suited by this surface (not shown his form elsewhere). This is a fair step up in grade though off an 8lb higher mark; should make his presence felt.

Form: 541-461

(2)

Mister Music²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 8-9| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 83| BF| CD

20/1

Unbeaten on Fibresand (4-4) and 3-3 over C&D he was in rude health at the start of last year winning four in a row here. He's been dropped in grade of late though winning a seller and being placed in a claimer last time; company may find him out.

Form: 2480-12

(6)

Angel Palanas^p⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 82| CD

9/1

Four-time course winner (twice over C&D) who generally likes to front run and has form with several of the other runners. Mixed bag of form (can run the odd poor race) since winning back-to-back C&D handicap in late 2018; others appeal more.

Form: 112-726

Forecasts

Weld Al Emarat (5/2), Space Bandit (11/4), Saint Equiano (4/1), Angel Palanas (9/1), Custard The Dragon (10/1), Three Weeks (11/1), Mister Music (20/1), Robero (33/1), Gurkha Friend (33/1)

This should be run at a good pace with at least three that like to go forward and whoever wins that battle will have a good shot at landing this good prize. Of the pacesetting trio Saint Equiano who looked very at home here on his first outing is the pick over Gurkha Friend (having his first experience of the course) and Angel Palanas. A strong gallop is the one of the facets that WELD AL EMARAT needs to perform at his best having already demonstrated his ability on this unique surface. Three Weeks is another course winner but he find his 7f a little sharp with the improving Space Bandit putting his unbeaten here on the line in a better grade.