15:35 Southwell

Monday 26 August 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Darren & Evelyn Lake Memorial Handicap

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 58.14s

(4)

Zylan^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 88| CD

7/2

Five-time course winner (two at this trip); last win came here at the start of the year off a 2lb lower mark. Form since (on turf of late off a lower mark) has been rather hit-and-miss (ran poorly last time); trip could be a little sharp for him.

Form: 846426

(5)

Dark Shot^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: S Dixon| OR: 87| D

11/1

Useful turf handicapper who drops in grade for his first effort on Fibresand having run poorly the last twice on turf. On a long losing run (not won since September 2016) despite some creditable efforts; hard to be confident given his record.

Form: 220200

(3)

Lomu³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: T Eaves| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 84| D

8/1

Yet to fire this season having had a wind op prior to starting his campaign; failed to impress in any of his three starts although could be excused his effort last time. On Fibresand for the first time (sire has a decent strike-rate); best watched.

Form: 412-400

(7)

Fantasy Keeper¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: A Mullen| T: M Appleby| OR: 80| D

3/1

One of four Fibresand newcomers in the field (sire, Mayson has a good record here); running well of late on turf. Winner at Sandown (5f) off 2ln lower in June he was only beaten by a big improver at Haydock; interesting if he handles surface.

Form: 19-7212

(8)

Airglow^h⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: G C O'Neill⁽⁵⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 80| D

13/2

Enjoyed a good 2018 winning over sprint trips three times on turf; has already acquitted himself well this year finishing fourth at Ripon last time in a better grade. Now makes his AW debut; chance if he takes to this unique surface.

Form: 5021-74

(1)

Crosse Fire^b²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: J P Sullivan| T: S Dixon| OR: 75| CD

11/1

Needs no introduction here having 11 course wins to his name proving equally effective at up to 7f. Not in the same form of late on turf as he was earlier in the year when winning three times over 6f/7f; may find this 5f on the sharp side now.

Form: 640066

(2)

Samovar⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: P Mathers| T: S Dixon| OR: 74| CD

5/1

Useful sort on his day over 5f here as proved by his three C&D wins but does have a slightly quirky side to (can be slow away). Going through a good spell when last seen; 6lb above his last winning mark now; may just need the run if he's in the mood.

Form: 471632

(9)

Warrior's Valley^p,t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 73| CD

16/1

Mainly consistent sort on Fibresand (3-9); all his wins coming over 5f; not quite fired on his last two start since returning from a break. Usual cheekpieces now return (worn this headgear combinations for all wins); something to prove in this grade.

Form: 122570

(6)

Ebitda⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: Sophie Ralston⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 66| D

33/1

Fairly lightly-raced sort (one of four from the yard in this) who shaped as if she would be better for the run returning from a six-month break last time. Yet to recapture her useful 3yo form; previous form over C&D reads 5078; others offer more.

Form: 00578-7

Forecasts

Fantasy Keeper (3/1), Zylan (7/2), Samovar (5/1), Airglow (13/2), Lomu (8/1), Crosse Fire (11/1), Dark Shot (11/1), Warrior's Valley (16/1), Ebitda (33/1)

The best form on offer looks to come from those that have not experienced this surface before and that always presents a problem for backers with not all horses taking to Fibresand. Mayson is a leading sire on this surface and that gives hope that FANTASY KEEPER who ran well at Haydock last time can resume winning ways having run into a real progressive sort last time. Similarly, Airglow ran a very sound race at Ripon and is another Fibresand debutant whose form puts him firmly in the mix. Of those to have shown form here Zylan looks the pick although 5f may be a little sharp with Samovar if he’s on a going day hard to ignore along with Crosse Fire.