16:15 Southwell

Tuesday 7 January 2020

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 2m 38.79s

(5)

Seven Clans¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Gemma Tutty⁽³⁾| T: K Tutty| OR: 76

9/1

Ran one of his better races on his only start on Fibresand finishing second over C&D off this mark. Well backed last time out he failed to back up that run with a below-par effort on Tapeta, looking vulnerable to less-exposed rivals.

Form: 003926-

(6)

Azari^b¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 75| CD

28/1

Winner of this race last year off a 2lb lower mark that win the middle leg of a C&D handicap hat-trick. Not won since completing that three-timer; looked very rusty and out of sorts since returning from a break, well beaten over C&D last time out.

Form: 345507

(3)

Sea Sculpture²⁰⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: William Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 77

3/1

Tapeta novice winner over an extended 1m who hasn't been seen since the summer when failing to appreciate testing conditions on his handicap debut over 1m2f. Looks the type to do better over trips such as this and ought to act on this surface.

Form: 3/145-

(2)

Jawshan⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 62

12/1

Yet to win a race but has some fair form to his name making his Fibresand debut (has been running over hurdles). Given a slight ease in the weights by the handicapper which should benefit he does have to prove himself on this surface.

Form: 062646-

(7)

Cold Harbour^p1,t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: R Brisland| OR: 62| BF| CD

3/1

Always looks at home around here (triple course winner, two over this trip) and has put together some solid efforts of late. Second over C&D last time out (only headed close home); cheekpieces now added to usual tongue-tie, on the shortlist.

Form: 334232-

(4)

Crimson King^b⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: B A Curtis| T: M Appleby| OR: 62| BF

2/1

Placed twice here over shorter trips he's still a maiden mainly because of his numerous quirks. Often slow away that probably cost him a victory last time with the winner getting first run on him; steps up in trip, has to be respected.

Form: 09324-2

(1)

Mousebird¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Charlie Bennett| T: H Morrison| OR: 61

14/1

Made his Fibresand debut last time after a break (looked rusty) but still ran well and on that run she looks as though she'll be suited by a return to this trip. Not many miles on the clock and still looks on a handy mark, one to mote in the market.

Form: 98774-

Forecasts

Crimson King (2/1), Cold Harbour (3/1), Sea Sculpture (3/1), Seven Clans (9/1), Jawshan (12/1), Mousebird (14/1), Azari (28/1)

Last year’s winner Azari is nowhere near the same form as he was coming into this last year and it’s hard to see him gathering this prize again. There was a fair bit to like about the way Crimson King finished off his race here last time but he does have his quirks and may not be totally straightforward. Sea Sculpture is an interesting sort from a yard that do well with this sort here but he might just have to give best to three-time course winner COLD HARBOUR. He was only beaten a head over C&D last time and repeat of that off the same mark with the cheekpieces on first time to sharpen him up.