19:00 Southwell

Tuesday 3 March 2020

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:30

Bombardier 'March To Your Own Drum' Handicap

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 1m 28.51s

(5)

Custard The Dragon^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: J Fanning| T: J Mackie| OR: 72| CD

5/1

Highly impressive C&D record of 7 wins creates the impression he's not one to take lightly despite coming here after a couple of below par efforts. Yard has been quite but jockey booking (has won on the gelding before) is a positive sign of intent.

Form: 66-4188

(1)

Al Suil Eile²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 71| C| D

5/1

Worth another try at 7f as he was placed over this trip here last December before going on to win a sprint (6f) the following month. Below par twice since, though, and still 2lb above that winning mark.

Form: 72-3165

(6)

Glory of Paris^v⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 70| D

11/4

Not much to find on the pick of his form and races from the same mark as when second to Custard The Dragon over C&D in January. Awkwardly away when only fourth here at the weekend and another slow start would only be a hindrance.

Form: 242454

(7)

Cape Greco^e/s⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Toby Eley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 64| D

4/1

Ran a blinder when second on stable debut here last month and might be more to come now he's topped up his fitness. The winner was clearly on top that day but this fellow responded well to the fitting of an eye shield and still has more to come now.

Form: 57594-2

(3)

Redesdale Rebel¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: S Corbett| OR: 63

8/1

Won a novice stakes over 6f on the Tapeta at Newcastle in January but made an inauspicious start to handicapping when a well beaten sixth of 11 at the same course last month. Nudged down 2lb since but still something to find.

Form: 25-16

(4)

Nick Vedder¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: T Eaves| T: R Brisland| OR: 62| D

16/1

Losing sequence mounting up and there's been a lot of water under the bridge since he won (6f, standard, Tapeta) from an 18lb higher mark last January. Others far more convincing on recent profiles.

Form: 604-950

(2)

Waitaki⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Sullivan| T: J G Given| OR: 59| D

11/2

Won a fillies handicap at Kempton early last month but made no impact from this same rating back on the Polytrack there last time out. Previous form in Ireland does give her claims if that latest start is forgiven, though.

Form: 363516

Forecasts

Glory of Paris (11/4), Cape Greco (4/1), Al Suil Eile (5/1), Custard The Dragon (5/1), Waitaki (11/2), Redesdale Rebel (8/1), Nick Vedder (16/1)

It might be worth siding with CAPE GRECO now that he's proved his well being for a new yard and also shown that the fitting of an eye shield won't inconvenience him at this course. The selection was held by an in-form rival last time out but was still clear of the rest at the line. This isn't a much tougher race and, given that was his first outing since last October, there ought to be a good deal to come. Custard The Dragon gets on well with Joe Fanning and merits an interest despite being set to shoulder top weight, while Glory Of Paris is another who can go close assuming he doesn't fluff his lines at the start this time. Waitaki also merits a betting check.