19:00 Southwell

Friday 4 October 2019

All17:2518:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

All Weather Championship Season 7 Handicap

Off time: 19:01 | Winning time: 2m 35.45s

(4)

Sputnik Planum^t⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Mark Crehan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 86

7/2

Gradually getting going this term despite being beaten in handicaps off the same mark four times (now finds himself 2lb higher). First experience of Fibresand for a yard that do well here; ought to be able to make his mark in this grade.

Form: 1-82042

(8)

Jus Pires^t⁴⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: D Nolan| T: D Carroll| OR: 81

20/1

Lightly-raced last year with just the three runs to his name for Jeremy Noseda; had a hopeless task from his track position when last seen. Dual winner (once on AW) in 2017) he tries this trip for the first-time for new connections; market to guide.

Form: 211/268-

(3)

Asian Angel⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83

4/1

Consistent in handicaps this year he has won once but off an 8lb lower mark and the handicapper has looked in control of late. Appears to lack some gears so a grind around here (first time on surface) may well suit; not one to discount easily.

Form: 206432

(7)

Regal Mirage¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76| D

9/1

Quickly bounced back to form last time building on his earlier Pontefract win at Beverley over this trip (suited by the way the race developed). Now makes his Fibresand debut (sire has a decent record on the surface); needs another career-best.

Form: 384171

(2)

Royal Cosmic⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 72| CD

20/1

Already a C&D winner she returned from a break last time with an effort at Newcastle that failed to produce any threat. Has looked in good heart for most of the year, possible that a return here could spark a mini revival.

Form: 217405

(9)

Dragon Mountain^h1¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: G Lee| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 67

28/1

Hood goes on for the first-time stepping back up in trip with the tumble down the weights continuing, not that he's looked like taking advantage. Well beaten when last seen he needs to have shown more enthusiasm of late to be of interest.

Form: 000570

(1)

Into The Zone^t⁷⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: L Morris| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 70

20/1

Interesting handicap/Fibresand debutant having been spared a hard race last time (first run since gelded/wind op). Trainer has a 24% strike-rate with his handicap debutantes; has to prove himself on the surface but an intriguing sort, nonetheless.

Form: 74-9

(6)

Blowing Dixie⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 59| CD

6/5

Carries a 6lb penalty having made it 2-2 over C&D last time on just his fourth outing for this yard although he now has to tackle a higher grade from 2lb out of the weights. The demands are more but he does handle the surface which is a plus.

Form: 554171

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

(5)

Wanaasah²⁹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: D Loughnane J: Thomas Greatrex

Forecasts

Blowing Dixie (6/5), Sputnik Planum (7/2), Asian Angel (4/1), Regal Mirage (9/1), Wanaasah (10/1), Jus Pires (20/1), Royal Cosmic (20/1), Into The Zone (20/1), Dragon Mountain (28/1)

Various ways of looking at this and one or two fascinating sorts on display not least one of the four three-year-olds Into The Zone making his handicap/Fibresand debut, the market may well provide a good guide to his chance. That’s not to say the other runners from the same age group aren’t as interesting and although BLOWING DIXIE takes another step up in grade, we do at least know he handles the surface and trip, two important factors around here, he’s taken to record a hat-trick. The tough and genuine Asian Angel can’t be ignored and neither can Sputnik Planum after his positive effort last time and his connections certainly know how to win around this venue.