19:00 Southwell

Thursday 14 March 2019

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

Betway Best For Cheltenham Festival Offers Handicap

Off time: 19:03 | Winning time: 57.5s

(9)

Something Lucky^v¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 80| CD

6/1

Three-time C&D winner who has some very creditable recent form to his name; ran well in a much stronger race last time. Needs a decent pace to run at though but won't mind being back at 5f; visor back on, player in this.

Form: 575222

(2)

Arzaak^b¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J Fanning| T: C Wallis| OR: 79| CD

10/1

Easy to back on his first run for this yard after leaving Chris Dwyer (may well have needed the run). May well appreciate the return to 5f with blinkers back on; has won twice over C&D, low draw not ideal.

Form: 26861-6

(13)

Classic Pursuit^b²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 79| CD

18/1

Often slowly away and a rather enigmatic character, who is capable on his day, has won over C&D. Yet to back up his win here in December of late and looked a very hard ride last time, needs handling with caution.

Form: 371-575

(14)

Desert Ace¹⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: K Stott| T: P T Midgley| OR: 77| D

50/1

Only beat one home on his sole try over C&D and was below his best when last seen unable to follow up a win from his previous start (not seen to best effect). This looks as though it may be a pipe opener for the new turf Flat season.

Form: 466516-

(7)

Eternal Sun³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 76| CD

8/1

C&D winner who has remained in good form since that win in two further AW runs (one over C&D). Got caught further back than ideal last time and remains more than capable off this mark; one for the shortlist.

Form: 4181-34

(10)

Casterbridge⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Rachel Richardson| T: E J Alston| OR: 75| D

25/1

Three runs on this surface and performed with credit on each occasion; finished a sound third back in headgear (removed now) to Classic Pursuit when last seen. That last run really proved that he could win on Fibresand; looks competitive off a break.

Form: 920313-

(3)

Point Zero^b,e/s¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Mark Crehan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 75| CD

20/1

Rather quirky sort who looks to have put his foibles behind him for now and gained his first handicap win last time over 6f here. Equally at home over either sprint trip here this mark does ask a little more of him; may fall short now.

Form: 711351

(11)

Dapper Man¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 75| D

20/1

Ran poorly on the Tapeta at Newcastle last time when returning from a break and others have better form on this surface. Slipped back below his last winning mark but others present more persuasive cases on this surface.

Form: 25476-0

(5)

Tathmeen¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 75| D

9/1

One previous outing here was rather unimpressive but he's burst into life since then on Tapeta which appear to suit as well as the drop back to 5f. Suited by the way the race developed last time (chased strong pace); has to prove himself here.

Form: 68-8131

(4)

Granny Roz¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: R Craggs| OR: 73

14/1

Very creditable second here last time when chasing home Point Zero over 6f on her first run for this yard; first AW run overall. Now back at the minimum trip this may prove a little sharp and she needs to find a touch more progress.

Form: 0/5133-2

(1)

Warrior's Valley^p,t²^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 65| BF| CD

9/4

C&D winner who was just touched off here earlier in the week (strong in the betting under a penalty). Probably should have won that (travelled like the best horse); very at home on this surface; another bold show on the horizon.

Form: 512712

(12)

Samovar^b⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: S Dixon| OR: 70| CD

25/1

Can be an awkward customer who has been known to blow the start and did so last time, losing all chance. Has won over C&D, but clearly a perilous proposition at the moment and faces some in-form types here; not recommended.

Form: 744742

(6)

Mininggold^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 68| CD

9/1

Dual C&D winner scoring back-to-back victories here either side of the New Year; failed to complete the hat-trick in a higher grade over C&D (solid run; finished third). Disappointed last time at Newcastle and will appreciate a return to Fibresand.

Form: 261-136

Non-Runners

(8)

Crosse Fire²

Weight: 9-2| Age: 7

T: S Dixon J: L Morris

Forecasts

Warrior's Valley (9/4), Something Lucky (6/1), Crosse Fire (7/1), Eternal Sun (8/1), Mininggold (9/1), Tathmeen (9/1), Arzaak (10/1), Granny Roz (14/1), Classic Pursuit (18/1), Dapper Man (20/1), Point Zero (20/1), Samovar (25/1), Casterbridge (25/1), Desert Ace (50/1)

Nine C&D winners go to post in what looks to be a competitive sprint for the grade ETERNAL SUN is one of the more lightly-raced types in this who has already shown that she can handle this surface well. Should get the strong pace that she needs here and looks sure to make a bold bid to score again. Warrior’s Valley and Something Lucky are two of the main dangers with five C&D wins between then, both have run sound races of late. Point Zero remains something of an enigma but he can’t be ignored on a surface he goes well on with Mininggold and Casterbridge two others to consider.