18:45 Southwell

Friday 28 February 2025

All16:4017:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 18:45 | Winning time: 1m 27.34s

(6)

Golden Pharaoh⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D Swift| T: S Dixon| OR: 74| D

13/2

Mixed bag in handful of turf starts upon joining this yard last summer but stepped up on a recent run from further reduced mark when fifth of 12 in a C&D handicap 6 days ago. Further ease in class can help here.

Form: 9450-85

(2)

Cliffcake^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: S R Bowring| OR: 73| CD

7/2

5-time course winner. 13/2 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, capitalised on his reduced mark to win 9-runner handicap at this course (6.1f) 16 days ago, unchallenged. Handicapper has reacted but likely he can give another good account.

Form: 0577-21

(1)

King Of Ithaca³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: J Tate| OR: 72| CD

11/4

Successful twice over C&D last year and remained in good heart, looking a shade unlucky in coming from a long way back when close-up third of 9 in handicap at Kempton (7f) 39 days ago. Capable of defying this sort of mark on that evidence and he's shortlisted here.

Form: 13812-3

(8)

Secret Strength⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: C Lee| T: S Lycett| OR: 71| D

11/2

Gambled on following a yard switch/6 months off when landing 8-runner handicap at Lingfield (7f, AW, 3/1) 56 days ago, getting the race run to suit and staying on to lead close home. Remains with handicapping scope following a 4 lb rise but this does look tougher.

Form: 3/0709-1

(3)

Mereside Madness^b⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: T D Barron| OR: 70| BF| D

7/2

Gained a third career victory in refitted blinkers at Newcastle (7f) on penultimate start and again ran creditably back up in the weights when runner-up at that track/trip 8 days ago, headed late on. Another holding claims in a competitive heat.

Form: 2749-12

(7)

Kristal Klear¹¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 66| BF| CD

18/1

C&D winner. Latest win at Wolverhampton in September. Last of 4 in handicap at Newcastle (7.1f) in November, ridden with a touch more restraint than previously. Not out of things returning from a break.

Form: 612124-

(5)

Bomb Squad^p⁷^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J Mackie| OR: 56| CD

11/1

Enjoying a fine winter, resuming winning ways in 10-runner C&D handicap 7 days ago, leading final 1f and keeping on. Clearly in rude health but this a more demanding assignment under a penalty.

Form: 1-12331

Non-Runners

(4)

Super Hit³⁸

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: Darryll Holland J: Non Runner

Forecasts

King Of Ithaca (11/4), Mereside Madness (7/2), Cliffcake (7/2), Secret Strength (11/2), Golden Pharaoh (13/2), Bomb Squad (11/1), Kristal Klear (18/1), Super Hit (25/1)

Having bagged a second C&D success in November, KING OF ITHACA again ran well and could arguably be considered a shade unlucky when third at Kempton on his latest start 39 days ago, just failing having come from a long way back. He can confirm the promise of that effort and resume winning ways. Cliffcake and Mereside Madness head up the dangers in a competitive heat.