15:30 Southwell

Sunday 5 January 2020

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Betway Classified Stakes

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 2m 27.60s

(6)

Captain Peaky^v1³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Robinson| T: L Bailey| OR: 40

9/1

33-race maiden under both codes who has run poorly last two starts over timber. First-time visor now applied and tries new trip having never before raced beyond 1m2f.

Form: 075068-

(7)

Optima Petamus^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Phil Dennis| T: L Bailey| OR: 50

7/2

Ended a 50-month losing streak when scoring last time in 1m4fclassified stakes at Newcastle, edging home in a photo-finish. Ran poorly only previous visit here but that was over nearly 2m. In-form and stays so has to be on the shortlist.

Form: 646641-

(4)

Saga Sprint³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 43

14/1

Only win came in 1m2f Fairyhouse claimer back in 2016. Placed just once in last three years for current handler. Probably needed outing after a break and weakened over 2m last time. Drop in trip will suit but finds winning very hard indeed.

Form: 676/948-

(3)

Telekinetic^h1³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: A W Carroll| OR: 46| BF

3/1

14-race maiden who ran badly only previous start here back in November 2018. Not disgraced though on first start for current yard last time when tiring inside distance over 1m4f at Wolverhampton and may not be far away in first-time hood.

Form: 982527-

(2)

Beechwood James^v¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Theodore Ladd⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 47

2/1

Ex-Richard Hannon-trained 10-race maiden but not beaten far last time at 50/1 over C&D on fourth start for current yard. May have turned the corner and with yard in good form is worth considering under good 3lb claimer.

Form: 300085-

(8)

Queen Mia^t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: T Eaves| T: D Carroll| OR: 46

6/1

Has placed in two of her last four starts at a low level over up to 1m but has stamina to prove stepping up three furlongs on her modest effort here last time. Chance if she stays.

Form: 082537-

Non-Runners

(5)

Nineteenrbo'malley²

Weight: 9-2| Age: 8

T: R Brisland J: K T O'Neill

(1)

Officer Drivel²¹⁹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 9

T: J & S Best J: D C Costello

Forecasts

Beechwood James (2/1), Telekinetic (3/1), Optima Petamus (7/2), Queen Mia (6/1), Captain Peaky (9/1), Saga Sprint (14/1), Nineteenrbo'malley (25/1), Officer Drivel (25/1)

Another very modest contest but OPTIMA PETAMUS did well to score last time ending a long barren spell and may just about be good enough to follow up in similar company. Beechwood James is a potential danger after finally showing a glimmer of form last time, and the first-time hood may help the cause of Telekinetic who wasn't completely disgraced when favourite at Wolverhampton recently. It's hard to enthuse over the others, although Saga Sprint may benefit from the drop back in trip, while Queen Mia has bits and pieces of form at shorter.