15:35 Southwell

Wednesday 26 February 2020

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:0516:35

Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 1m 27.69s

(4)

Raydiance⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 95| CD

11/4

Kicked off 2020 pleasingly when turning over Power Link in a Class 3 C&D handicap on New Year's Day; faded from the furlong pole in a 1m Fast-Track Qualifier at Newcastle subsequently; has previous form with Aljari.

Form: 3593-14

(6)

Mohareb¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 92| D

6/1

Three-time AW winner (untested on Fibresand); has risen sharply in the weights since the autumn/mid-winter period, 6lb higher than when beating Corazon Espinado by 1L at Lingfield (7f) on New Year's Eve; this assignment is asking plenty.

Form: 321-335

(2)

Zylan⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 89| BF| C| D

12/1

Six-time course winner (from 13 Fibresand starts); was beaten ½L by Hareem Queen in a 5f Class 3 handicap here in late January; previously was given the ideal tow into the race when scoring over 6f; below par latterly; stamina doubts.

Form: 0-21234

(3)

Asdaa¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89| D

5/1

It's difficult to knock his overall form (and progress) since the turn of the year; sits 3lb higher than when fending off the challenge of Robero at Wolverhampton (7f) 16 days ago; shouldn't be hastily dismissed.

Form: 3-21261

(5)

Aljari⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Botti| OR: 89

3/1

Lightly raced (2-5 on the AW); pulled hard in first-time blinkers in an ultra-competitive Class 2 handicap at Newcastle (7f) last week; has previous form with Raydiance; could be a major threat if settling better on Fibresand debut.

Form: 41152-0

(1)

Jungle Speed^t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Hart| T: I Furtado| OR: 82

12/1

Former French racer (Fontainebleau scorer (6f, gd/sft) in April 2019); displayed plenty of early pace when finishing a weakening third to Athollblair Boy on debut for Ivan Furtado at Newcastle (6f) a fortnight ago; is facing a sterner test over 7f.

Form: 19880-3

(7)

Robero^e/s¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: George Rooke⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 81| CD

6/1

Game C&D winner in late January (sits 4lb higher); narrowly beaten on both subsequent starts, including when his rider dropped his whip towards the finish behind the reopposing Asdaa at Wolverhampton (penultimate); holds a realistic place chance.

Form: 31-4122

Forecasts

Raydiance (11/4), Aljari (3/1), Asdaa (5/1), Mohareb (6/1), Robero (6/1), Zylan (12/1), Jungle Speed (12/1)

Raydiance kicked off the calendar year in a most pleasing manner when scoring over C&D on New Year's Day, so must enter the thought process now dropping back to a more suitable trip (found wanting for stamina in a 1m Fast-Track Qualifier at Newcastle subsequently), while the in-form and very closely matched pair Asdaa and Robero also merit respect. However, the least exposed horse in the field is the Marco Botti-trained colt ALJARI. He was far too keen in first-time blinkers (discarded) in an ultra-competitive Class 2 handicap at Newcastle last week, but really deserves another opportunity to prove his true worth.