15:55 Southwell

Wednesday 3 April 2019

All14:2014:5515:2515:5516:2516:5517:25

Betway Marathon Handicap

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 4m 5.94s

(5)

Mixboy²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: P Mulrennan| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 90

5/1

Versatile sort who won over fences last time out (2m4f at Musselburgh) having sampled this surface previously (didn't go with that much fluency). Generally runs prominently under both codes but didn't look suited by being held up when tried here.

Form: 29801-4

(4)

Addicted To You^v²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85

5/4

Interesting back down to this mark having shaped well last time (2m, Kempton) although his one previous attempt on this surface saw him run poorly. Needs to prove he can build on his last run especially back on Fibresand for the second time.

Form: UP-8873

(2)

Claudio Monteverdi^b1,e/s1,t³²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Hayley Turner| T: A West| OR: 84

100/1

Useful sort for Aidan O'Brien in 2016 but rather lost his way and obviously had problems when returning last year (two runs for Richard Hughes). Now with another new yard making his Fibresand debut; new headgear combination on display.

Form: 4285/00-

(8)

Gang Warfare^p,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 81| C

25/1

1-1 on Fibresand but that win came in the middle of a purple patch (four-timer) when with Simon Crisford back in 2015/16. Still capable of some smart form in handicaps (looked in need of the run last time); not dismissed, note a market move.

Form: 86317-9

(1)

The Resdev Way¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: G Lee| T: P A Kirby| OR: 79| C

25/1

Twice a winner here over 1m6f (failed to convince over 2m) who hasn't really taken to hurdling (form far from his Flat level). Not an easy horse to predict (often starts slowly); returns from a break for an in-form yard, others appeal more.

Form: 419154-

(6)

Final Choice^b¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁷⁾| T: A West| OR: 70

33/1

Below form on both his Flat starts this year and has yet to experience this surface (jumping form also looks fragile). Often starts slowly and often races in the rear, looks to have a tough task from just out of the handicap; makes limited appeal.

Form: 5202-67

(3)

Blazon^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: L Morris| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 70

7/4

Well backed but considerately handled on his only experience of Fibresand (1m4f) as he qualified for handicaps. Made it 3-3 in handicaps since that run on two other synthetic surfaces; steps up markedly in grade here but could well progress again.

Form: 795-111

Non-Runners

(7)

Alabaster⁹

Weight: 8-10| Age: 5

T: Sir Mark Prescott J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Addicted To You (5/4), Blazon (7/4), Alabaster (9/2), Mixboy (5/1), Gang Warfare (25/1), The Resdev Way (25/1), Final Choice (33/1), Claudio Monteverdi (100/1)

The obvious call in this with no improvers lurking in the wings is BLAZON who has proved a revelation since being switched to the AW making it 3-3 in handicaps since being switched to that sphere. He does have to prove that he can but his sire (Dansili) offers a 17% strike-rate with his progeny here. Mixboy is a wonderfully versatile individual who probably didn’t get the ideal ride here last time and a more forceful showing will see him in a better light. Addicted To You returned to form last time but he has to find his feet on this surface and it can pay to note any market positives for Gang Warfare who has proved himself here in the past.