18:30 Southwell

Thursday 5 December 2019

All16:1516:5017:2518:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:32 | Winning time: 1m 15.58s

(3)

Asdaa¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 82| D

10/1

Lightly-raced sort in Ireland for Dermot Weld who makes his stable/handicap/Fibresand debut off the back of a fair absence. Fairyhouse 6f maiden winner as a 2yo he's interesting newcomer to this surface off a mark that doesn't look too harsh.

Form: 71-83

(14)

Crosse Fire^b¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 81| CD

25/1

Needs no introduction here having 13 course wins to his name, four over C&D with all this year's victories (five) coming on this unique surface. His last win came off just 1lb higher over 5f but he may prove a little more vulnerable over this trip.

Form: 141734

(9)

Astro Jakk²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| OR: 80| CD

7/1

Looked green when he made a winning debut over C&D in March and although he's not managed to win since then he does have some strong form to his name. Much better than the bare result last time after a six-month break, still unexposed, one to note.

Form: 1220

(11)

John Kirkup^b²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M Dods| OR: 80| BF| D

11/1

Limited AW experience (never run here) his last two starts have come on the Tapeta at Newcastle. Didn't fare too badly on the first occasion but had no excuses last time out (Astro Jakk ran in same race); handicapper looks to have his measure now.

Form: 405139

(1)

Airglow^h³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: G C O'Neill⁽⁵⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 77| BF| D

11/1

Well supported when last seen here (second try on surface) over this trip turning in his best performance of the season. Has fallen below his last winning mark but proved a disappointment when last seen (back on turf); needs to find a revival again.

Form: 660520

(12)

Rock Sound³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: D Carroll| OR: 75| CD

6/4

Duly landed a gamble over C&D last time in a lower grade but does have some form which suggests he's capable of being competitive in higher echelons. Given a 10lb rise for his last win he's now asked to do more; could well prove up to the task.

Form: 18677-1

(10)

Samovar^b¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: S Dixon| OR: 75| C

33/1

Unreliable sort although he can never be totally ignore here having score on Fibresand four times. All of those wins however were over 5f (0-6 at 6f). Produced a couple of reasonable efforts the last twice; hard to recommend him at this trip.

Form: 125822

(6)

Smokey Lane^b²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: C Lee| T: P D Evans| OR: 74| D

25/1

Dual turf 6f winner in testing conditions on back-to-back days in October but has failed to make any impact since in two sprint outings on heavy turf. Yet to test himself on Fibresand but should appreciate the return to 6f, others appeal more.

Form: 391105

(7)

Esprit De Corps^p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: T D Barron| OR: 74| CD

6/1

Finally overcame a long losing run when back in headgear (retained here) when showing a much more decisive finishing attitude over C&D last time. Given just a 3lb rise for that win it remains to be seen if he's in the same form this time around.

Form: 554261

(4)

Jonboy¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: D H Brown| OR: 73| BF

16/1

Fibresand newcomer who has shown some good form in a couple of outings since entering this yard although the 5f trip last time didn't really look to suit. Back up to 6f he should be capable of much better if he takes to this surface off this mark.

Form: 1/426-25

(2)

Royal Sands²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Barry McHugh| T: J G Given| OR: 72| CD

10/1

Appeared to relish the switch to this surface when winning a C&D maiden (travelled well, cruised clear). Failed to cope with the drop to 5f here last time but can't be ruled out back up to 6f given how well he went on his debut here.

Form: 704014

(8)

Andre Amar¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: R Brisland| OR: 70

150/1

Fairly useful performer at best having won a Dundalk 5f maiden on his debut. Offered very little since moving to this yard though; slowly away on his Fibresand debut over 5f last time, hopes pinned on a move up to 6f, limited appeal.

Form: 900890

(13)

Peggy's Angel²⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 69| D

100/1

Fair handicapper but hasn't won since late-2017 and ran poorly for this yard on her debut at Thirsk earlier in the year over 5f. Now given her first taste of Fibresand; would need to step up considerably on what she's shown so far off a fair absence.

Form: 258020

Non-Runners

(5)

Whisper Aloud²⁹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: A Watson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Rock Sound (6/4), Esprit De Corps (6/1), Astro Jakk (7/1), Asdaa (10/1), Royal Sands (10/1), John Kirkup (11/1), Airglow (11/1), Jonboy (16/1), Whisper Aloud (16/1), Smokey Lane (25/1), Crosse Fire (25/1), Samovar (33/1), Peggy's Angel (100/1), Andre Amar (150/1)

A competitive event with some improving types in the field. Rock Sound showed that he could be much better than his mark when taking a C&D handicap last time when well supported and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see similar strength behind him in the market again. New recruit to the Johnston yard Asdaa has to be of interest with Jonboy another who could well step forward on his recent effort. Royal Sands didn’t quite take to 5f here last time but his previous exploits over C&D make him worth more than a second glance. Lightly-raced ASTRO JAKK is the pick of the bunch having scored over C&D on debut, followed up with some sound runs and shaped better than his finishing position last time.