Betway Handicap

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 2m 36.02s

(4)

Cosmelli^b³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: T Eaves| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 88| CD

11/1

In the thick of the action when finishing fifth in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m) in June; well below that level of form since; won by 6L on his only previous Southwell appearance (1m4f) - in this race in 2018.

Form: 305609-

(3)

Argus^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 78| CD

12/1

Idled when beating Tynecastle Park by a neck here (1m6f) in late November; 3lb higher today after an unsuccessful jaunt to France (Le Croise-Laroche) latest.

Form: 237414-

(1)

Rasaasy¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: William Carson| T: A Carson| OR: 76| CD

9/2

Beat Seven Clans by ¾L (Angel Lane a close third) when making a winning stable/handicap debut over C&D (20-1); beaten from this revised mark at Lingfield (found the track too sharp?) subsequently.

Form: 0441-5

(5)

Angel Lane¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 75| CD

2/1

Has gone from strength to strength since upped in trip; brought her overall Southwell record to 2 from 4 when readily justifying favouritism here (1m3f) on New Year's Day - beat Crimson King by 2½L; 6lb higher; has related C&D form with Rasaasy.

Form: 44213-1

(2)

Blowing Dixie¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: B A Curtis| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 74| CD

11/8

Beaten just once in four starts at Southwell (C&D) and that was when sent off 6-5f for a Class 4 contest in October; 9lb higher than when beating J Gaye by 7L here (Class 5) three starts back; is facing a tougher task at this level (Class 3).

Form: 136150-

Forecasts

Blowing Dixie (11/8), Angel Lane (2/1), Rasaasy (9/2), Cosmelli (11/1), Argus (12/1)

An interesting contest despite the relatively low numerical turnout. Cosmelli took this race with ease in 2018 on his sole previous visit to Southwell, and would rate as a live contender if bouncing back to the kind of form which saw him finish fifth in the Northumberland Plate in June. Meanwhile, Argus, Rasaasy and Blowing Dixie have all won here on the Fibresand this winter. However, the real improver is the Karl Burke-trained filly ANGEL LANE who undoubtedly has more on her plate than when successful over 1m3f here on New Year's Day. That said, she is fully expected to prove capable of raising her game for the task in hand.