18:42 Southwell

Tuesday 7 May 2024

All16:4217:1217:4218:1218:4219:1219:4220:12

Join Southwell Golf Club Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 18:42 | Winning time: 3m 57.12s

Ascension Day³³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: William Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: S Lycett| OR: 100

15/2

Looked all set to record a big-priced debut win under Rules only to run out late on at Worcester last summer. Placed in maiden hurdles here this spring and should be up to making an impact from this opening mark.

Form: P9/R932-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Mersey Street¹²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 96

7/1

Second in an Irish point and has shown promise in bumpers/over hurdles. Appeals as a likely improver in handicaps. Market confidence could prove significant.

Form: 234/5U6-

Tessy Lad^t1⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 91

11/8

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat (stays 1½m) who was placed in a pair of juvenile hurdles for Richard Hughes in 2022/23 but struggled in 3 handicap hurdles for this yard over the winter. Also last of 6 back on the Flat here 6 weeks ago. Tongue strap reached for now. Could only consider if backed.

Form: 33/P0P-

No Mean Feat⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: S Hodgson| OR: 90

28/1

Pulled up sole start in points and just poor form to over hurdles. Pulled up on chase debut latest (final start for Alexandra Dunn.

Form: 73P00P-

Marrakushi¹⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: M Blake| OR: 90

17/2

Well held in bumper/maiden hurdle for David Pipe but more encouraging signs for this yard in 2 juveniles around the turn of the year. Makes handicap debut back from 105 days off.

Form: 9P36-

Dazzling Dove^p⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 80

28/1

Good second over 20.5f here in March 2023 but it's been downhill since. Remains to be seen whether a drop back in trip helps to spark a revival.

Form: 20/065P-

Royal Max²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Reed| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 78

33/1

Modest form at best for Nicky Henderson and has shown little for current yard.

Form: 3P74PP-

Chemical Warfare^t³⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Pipe| OR: 76| DWS

5/1

Won over fences at Newcastle for Tjade Collier last May and placed over hurdles later that month. Has had wind surgery ahead of this first outing for new yard after 10 months off. Interesting runner, particularly if backed.

Form: P5/1366-

Eric Carmen¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: R T Dunne| T: G Hanmer| OR: 75

22/1

A fair maiden in Ireland but no show in 4 outings for this yard since returning from a long absence.

Form: 22/PPP7-

My Virtue¹³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 75

10/1

Poor form, although his best run did come when third in this race 12 months ago. First start since December.

Form: 0740/30-

Forecasts

Tessy Lad (11/8), Chemical Warfare (5/1), Mersey Street (7/1), Ascension Day (15/2), Marrakushi (17/2), My Virtue (10/1), Eric Carmen (22/1), Dazzling Dove (28/1), No Mean Feat (28/1), Royal Max (33/1)

The suggestion is the O'Neill stable handicap newcomer MERSEY STREET, with confidence in his chance increased should the betting vibes be strong. Chemical Welfare is a potentially dangerous opponent on his first outing for David Pipe and is another for whom market strength could prove significant. Handicap newcomers Marrakushi and Ascension Day are others who could have a say.