14:15 Southwell

Monday 24 June 2019

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

Jigsaw Sports Branding Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 11.75s

Agentleman¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 95

14/1

Ungenuine sort who was greatly helped by the way the race was run (came off a strong pace when winning his only chase). Form since has been typically sporadic (comes here off a miserable effort); still 6lb above his last winning mark, hard to trust.

Form: 221-425

Gris De Pron^b1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 91| D

10/1

Hard to be convinced as he's yet to win a race over fences (0-11) although he did take a step in the right direction last time in testing conditions at Cartmel (2m1f). Would need to build on that run; blinkers go on for the first-time.

Form: P0P7P-5

Belmont Jewel^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 89

7/1

Returned to hurdles last time with a good display in terms of form but did show her quirks in the finish (something to remember). Offers a little to work on from her chasing debut over 4f further; comes with less baggage than most in this contest.

Form: PP26-62

Secret Melody^p1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: S-J Davies| OR: 86

25/1

Cheekpieces (first-time) are now reached for after two meek chasing efforts that will need stepping up on although a better surface than last time may help on that respect. Handicapper quick to give him a chance but not one to rely on.

Form: 7448-39

Kahdian^b,t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 81| BF| D

7/2

Strong travelling sort who has spurned many winning opportunities due to his weak finishing tendencies. Failed to impress over C&D last time on stable debut (first run back from a wind op); jumped sketchily, certainly has two ways of performing.

Form: 3UU12-3

Mariners Moon^h,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 81

9/2

A record of 0-19 over obstacles probably tells its own story although he did appear to get back on track over C&D last time (second to an improver/winner again since). Needs to back up that run; capable of going one better despite this trip.

Form: 6425P-2

Wisecracker^b1,t¹⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 80

11/2

Blinkers now replace his usual cheekpieces in an effort to rekindle the spark that he found in his races prior to a last time out flop. Had been in good form prior to that meagre effort with his jumping frailties resurfacing; comes with risks.

Form: 62233P-

Dragon Khan^t²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 78| D

12/1

Only poor these days but at least showed a little to work on during his chasing debut at Worcester (2m, good). Given plenty to do and never nearer; entitled to come on for that run especially in this weak contest.

Form: 24/945-5

Gin And Tonic^b²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: M Wigham| OR: 76| D

5/1

Reverts to chasing (previous exploits none to convincing in this sphere) having been given a chance by the handicapper over hurdles (disappointed last time; found little off the bridle). Mark workable, previous form leaves question marks.

Form: 2389-28

Mountain Of Angels^t,v1³⁰⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 74

12/1

Returns from a fair absence having shown herself capable of winning something like this if her debit for this yard can be taken at face value (second at Stratford). Folded tamely when last seen; interesting if there is market support.

Form: 3PU/72P-

Duhallowcountry^b⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 73| D

16/1

Poor handicap chaser although he did have his moments when with Victor Thompson (has won four chases). Ran respectably on his stable debut last time out but is basically an unreliable sort who isn't one to trust.

Form: 14-5364

Sprogzilla⁸²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-1| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: H James| OR: 70

33/1

Inconsistency is certainly past of her make up with a career record that reads 0-20 with just the odd decent run to her name (has failed to complete in half her chase starts). Feeble effort last time; more likely to repeat that run than step forward.

Form: 37UF25-

Non-Runners

Centreofexcellence⁴¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: S Flook J: Max Kendrick

Forecasts

Kahdian (7/2), Mariners Moon (9/2), Gin And Tonic (5/1), Wisecracker (11/2), Belmont Jewel (7/1), Gris De Pron (10/1), Mountain Of Angels (12/1), Dragon Khan (12/1), Agentleman (14/1), Duhallowcountry (16/1), Centreofexcellence (16/1), Secret Melody (25/1), Sprogzilla (33/1)

A humble start to the card with the majority of these coming with some sort of question mark against them. The form that BELMONT JEWEL showed over hurdles is some of the best on offer and she had shown just enough on her chasing debut to think she can pick up a race such as this. Mariners Moon did well to get within 8L of a resurgent sort last time who has won again since although he could probably do with a stiffer test but did have Kahdian (who was odds-on favourite) and Dunhallowcountry behind. Centreofexcellence would have a chance on his old form and its hoped a wind op has turned him around while Mountain Of Angels is worth a market check.