17:55 Southwell

Thursday 14 March 2019

All17:5518:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 17:58 | Winning time: 1m 14.31s

(5)

Catapult^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁷⁾| T: S L Keightley| OR: 54

13/8

Had the run of the race when finally getting off the mark for his old stable (last run for them) over 7f (Lingfield). Has remained in for his new yard (did too much in front last time); has shown that he acts on Fibresand (232); front-runner.

Form: 2-33124

(3)

Essential^b²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Mark Crehan⁽⁷⁾| T: Olly Williams| OR: 53| C

7/2

Has a poor strike-rate (1-20) although the saving grace may well have been that the win did come on Fibresand but at 7f. Has shaped well enough of late including in first-time blinkers last time (6f); remains to be seen if he can repeat that start.

Form: 048-803

(8)

Divine Call¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 9-6| J: F Norton| T: C Wallis| OR: 53| C| D

10/1

Veteran who has three course wins to his name (none at this trip) but has run some moderate races on Fibresand of late over 5f. Back to form at Kempton last time out over 6f; shuffling back down to his last winning mark.

Form: 16-2745

(14)

Marble Bar^h¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 50

14/1

Fibresand debutante (by Makfi; progeny have reasonable record here); looks to have been given a chance by the handicapper of late. Made a step in the right direction at Wolverhampton (penultimate start); failed to build on that last time though.

Form: 08-9046

(4)

Poppy May⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Barry McHugh| T: J G Given| OR: 50| C| D

10/1

One win to her name here (over 7f) but has won over this trip although that victory came against a very weak field (0-50 class). Gives the impression that she's better suited by 7f but ran poorly in rear when last seen.

Form: 5912-98

(7)

Diamond Pursuit^p1⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 49| BF

9/1

Acts on the surface although most of her form is modest to say the least and she's rather inconsistent. Followed a good run with a poor one last time; well below her last winning mark; cheekpieces now go on first-time (may bring some improvement).

Form: 8-37749

(13)

Dream Ally²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: J R Weymes| OR: 49| CD

33/1

C&D winner who looked to have lost his form completely until taking a small step back in the right direction last time. 7lb below his last winning mark but best watched to see if he can build on that last run.

Form: 309-083

(2)

Fortinbrass⁹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Izzy Clifton⁽⁷⁾| T: J Balding| OR: 48| CD

33/1

Five-time course winner (four C&D) who was given a task beyond his capabilities last time but looks potentially very well treated. Headgear (cheekpieces) last time now discarded; would go better with stronger handling.

Form: 420058-

(6)

Polished Article²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 48

40/1

Makes her handicap debut having struggled twice over C&D in novice events. May take a step forward now she goes into handicaps off a basement mark (gives her more chance); not one to be overconfident about though; this will reveal more.

Form: 5-54

(9)

Dark Confidant^p³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Ella McCain⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 45

14/1

Another who has yet to run on this surface and looked to have needed the run last time after three months off. Should be closer to form this time and resides well below his last winning mark if he takes to this unique test; a modest sort all in all.

Form: 60064-4

(1)

Henrietta's Dream^v¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Nathan Evans| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 45

33/1

Modest maiden who is proving to be more miss than any type of hit of late; off the bridle early last time. Has a temperamental side also and now makes her debut on Fibresand; on balance not one to get involved with.

Form: 906-095

(12)

Mountain Of Stars^p⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: N Mackay| T: Suzzanne France| OR: 45

25/1

Three respectable races on this surface the last over C&D but never really showing enough each time to be a threat. Best effort came over 5f on his initial run here; not one to be overly interested in despite the ease in grade.

Form: 50067-5

(11)

Major Muscari^p¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 8-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: S A Harris| OR: 45| D

66/1

Would have needed the run last time out in a low-grade handicap (0-50); slow away as is often the case. Not won since early 2015; has been placed on Fibresand but has never won on it and others appeal more.

Form: 36050/9

Non-Runners

(10)

Kath's Boy²

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: A W Carroll J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Catapult (13/8), Essential (7/2), Kath's Boy (4/1), Diamond Pursuit (9/1), Poppy May (10/1), Divine Call (10/1), Marble Bar (14/1), Dark Confidant (14/1), Mountain Of Stars (25/1), Fortinbrass (33/1), Dream Ally (33/1), Henrietta's Dream (33/1), Polished Article (40/1), Major Muscari (66/1)

A low-key start to Southwell’s first meeting under light but CATAPULT has shown that he acts well on this surface before and if he settles a bit better this time he could well lead this ordinary bunch home. Essential is hardly a winning machine but looks capable at this level especially if the blinkers work well again. Fortinbrass is incredibly well handicapped but would be of more interest with stronger handling while Kath’s Boy and Divine Call have shown that they can act on this surface and should run sound enough races.