16:00 Southwell

Monday 16 March 2020

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

MansionBet Faller Insurance Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 38.9s

Cold Shoulder¹⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 102| D

9/1

Back-to-back handicap wins for Gordon Elliott in late-2018 of this and a higher mark; made very little impact for this yard in five runs so far. Poor in two autumn starts for the yard off a break he returns from another absence; plenty to prove.

Form: 687F-89

Arctic Road^b1,t⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Ross Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 102

7/1

Three wins in four starts over hurdles last season ending the term on a high at Bangor (2m7f, good/soft) off this mark. Yet to fire at all this season including in on his chasing debut, first-time blinkers now used in an attempt to find some spark.

Form: 1-P5777

Goldrapper²⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: H Hogarth| OR: 100| BF

10/1

Yet to win a race although he did record a couple of placed efforts at around this trip in handicaps for his former yard. Failed to complete when last seen much depends on whether he's rejuvenated by change of yard (1-42 with new recruits).

Form: 0502-3U

Destinys Choice⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 96

5/1

Gave the impression that she was being brought along with handicaps in mind and may have underlined that point on her debut in this sphere last time. Unsuited by the 2m trip (beaten 15L), this test will suit far better, one to note upped to 2m4f.

Form: 1/5-3504

First Assembly⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 92

9/2

Stepped forward in both his handicap starts backing up his debut effort in this discipline last time out at Hereford (2m4f, heavy). Sound claims once again but may need a real test of stamina (3m plus) to be seen to optimum effect.

Form: 775-422

Kymata⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: Sean Conway| OR: 90

50/1

Modest form in bumpers with her hurdles form not even reaching that level with a switch to handicaps last time not working the oracle. Off then bridle a long way out last time (2m4f, soft), off the same mark here she's far from well handicapped.

Form: 8U9656

Banana Joe⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 90

14/1

Any promise in bumpers/novice hurdles looks limited although he has been brought along gradually. Claimer-ridden for his Boxing Day handicap debut (first-time blinkers, removed here), too soon to write off but needs to show more.

Form: 067-50P

City Never Sleeps^p,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 88

11/4

Runner-up off 7lb higher over C&D in September 2018 (winner well weighted) he's only been seen twice since. Ran better than his belated return (off 17 months) last time in this headgear combination without looking like winning, worth shortlisting,

Form: P02/2-62

Shimba Hills^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 82| D

16/1

Confirmed the promise of his previous start when taking advantage of a much-reduced mark (7lb higher here) to score at Lingfield (2m4f, heavy) in an amateur riders' event. Not in the same form last time in similar event; needs to bounce back.

Form: 63P318

Uncle O^t1⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Joshua Moore| T: C Hobson| OR: 82WS

12/1

Achieved very little when taking the runner-up slot at Fontwell (2m2f, heavy) a year ago in novice company. Still look raw/inexperienced when a one-paced sixth on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m4f, soft); wind op since, tongue-tie first-time added.

Form: 6P82-6

Non-Runners

Getaman⁷⁶

Weight: 10-13| Age: 7

T: D J Jeffreys J: Kielan Woods

Forecasts

City Never Sleeps (11/4), First Assembly (9/2), Destinys Choice (5/1), Arctic Road (7/1), Cold Shoulder (9/1), Goldrapper (10/1), Uncle O (12/1), Banana Joe (14/1), Shimba Hills (16/1), Getaman (16/1), Kymata (50/1)

The fact that DESTINYS CHOICE has been brought along steadily with handicaps in mind wasn’t lost on her supporters on her debut in this sphere at Catterick although it was obvious that she needed the stiffer test that she should get here. First Assembly also has claims on his recent sound efforts although it may not be until he gets 3m plus that he’s seen to best advantage. City Never Sleeps failed to get near a wide-margin winner at Catterick last time but it showed that he still had ability despite not quite matching the level of his C&D second in September 2018. Most of the others are rather hit-and-hope types although Goldrapper and Getaman are worth noting for positive market vibes.