Race By Race Southwell Specials At PlanetSportBet Handicap

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 57.87s

(6)

Masterclass^b⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 69

7/4

Fourth of 7 in handicap (17/2) at Lingfield (6f, AW) 5 days ago, nearest finish. Blinkers refitted and he has to be considered a player back down in grade.

Form: 533824

(5)

Apache Star¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Loughnane| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 68

5/1

18/1, proved at least as good as ever when second in 9-runner C&D handicap 12 days ago. Big chance with a repeat.

Form: 31022-2

(4)

Leodis Dream¹²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: D Nolan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 67| D

9/1

16/1, eleventh of 12 in handicap at Newcastle (5f). Off 123 days.

Form: 175260-

(3)

Brownlee⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: T D Barron| OR: 62| CD

4/1

C&D winner who did too much too soon in a first-time hood when last of 6 in handicap at Newcastle (5f) 78 days ago.

Form: 31/30-76

(2)

Ernest Rutherford^p,t¹⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 58| D

14/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2021. 14/1, last of 10 in handicap at Newcastle (5f). Off 158 days. Reappears with something to prove.

Form: 820870-

(1)

Birkenhead^b¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Ryan Sexton| T: P T Midgley| OR: 58| CD

9/2

C&D winner. Thirteen runs since last win in 2023. 13/2, good third of 13 in handicap at Newcastle (5f) 15 days ago. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: 968353

Forecasts

Masterclass (7/4), Brownlee (4/1), Birkenhead (9/2), Apache Star (5/1), Leodis Dream (9/1), Ernest Rutherford (14/1)

BIRKENHEAD is on a handy mark and could be the answer having returned to form with a good third at Newcastle last month. Apache Star and Masterclass are considered the principal threats.