16:10 Southwell

Thursday 23 February 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

BetUK Over 40,000 Live Streamed Races Handicap

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 57.03s

(6)

Pop Dancer^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee| T: A W Carroll| OR: 79| D

18/1

In cracking form when completing a hat-trick in the autumn, with the final leg coming at Lingfield (5f) in November. Quickly put a lacklustre effort behind him when third of 7 in handicap at Chelmsford City (5f, 13/2) 3 weeks ago but this looks a tougher assignment.

Form: 114-483

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(8)

Stone Of Destiny^v1¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 77| D

14/1

Tricky sort ran well on second outing for this yard when runner-up over C&D in December but he's failed to make an impact since and is still without a win since 2020. Racing from career-low mark but needs things to drop just right given his quirks.

Form: 626-656

(2)

Lihou¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Rossa Ryan| T: P D Evans| OR: 76| D

9/2

Latest win at Wolverhampton in January. Creditable third of 10 in handicap (15/2) at Newcastle (5f) a fortnight ago, clear of rest. Clearly still on a workable mark so fancied to go well.

Form: 6743-13

(1)

Mick's Spirit^v²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: C Allen| OR: 74| BF| D

11/2

Latest win at Lingfield in January. 11/4, creditable second of 7 in handicap at Chelmsford City (5f) 3 weeks ago, racing closer to pace than ideal. Nudged up a couple for that near miss so will need a career best to land this.

Form: 42-2412

(4)

Murbih²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 73| CD

9/2

C&D winner in January. 15/2, creditable third of 9 in handicap at this course (6.1f) 23 days ago. Not dismissed back at his optimum trip.

Form: 36-1223

(9)

Glorious Rio¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Gray| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 73| D

66/1

Well-backed 4/1, creditable second of 11 in handicap at Newcastle (5f), getting going too late. More required returning from over 3 months off.

Form: 640582-

(5)

Bert Kibbler⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Barron| OR: 72| CD

10/3

C&D winner twice in January last year. Resumed progress with his reappearance under his belt when neck second of 8 to Dalby Forest in handicap (4/1) at Chelmsford City (5f) 7 days ago, clear of rest. Remains of interest.

Form: 73/11-92

(7)

Dalby Forest⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Hayley Turner| T: D M Simcock| OR: 62| D

17/2

12/1, back on track after a poor start to the year when winning 8-runner handicap at Chelmsford City (5f) 7 days ago by neck from Bert Kibbler, staying on to lead close home despite saddle having slipped. Unpenalised for that so holds major claims.

Form: 36-3541

(3)

Miss Belladonna³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: D Shaw| OR: 60| CD

6/1

5/1, career best when winning 10-runner handicap at this C&D 31 days ago, staying on to lead close home. Nudged up just 2 lb and should continue to give a good account.

Form: 7142-21

Forecasts

Bert Kibbler (10/3), Lihou (9/2), Murbih (9/2), Mick's Spirit (11/2), Miss Belladonna (6/1), Dalby Forest (17/2), Stone Of Destiny (14/1), Pop Dancer (18/1), Glorious Rio (66/1)

A few in with a shout but DALBY FOREST did remarkably well to get off the mark at Chelmsford last week, his claimer performing heroics to keep the partnership intact long enough after the saddle had slipped turning for home. Unpenalised for that success, he's fancied to double his tally at the expense of Lihou, who is clearly still on a workable mark and should be bang there once again. The mercurial Stone of Destiny completes the shortlist.