14:30 Southwell

Friday 10 February 2017

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3516:0516:40

Sunbets.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 1m 28.59s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

Fujin^v¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Charlie Bennett⁽⁵⁾| T: S A Harris| OR: 71

8/1

In good form at the moment and has proved himself on this surface (dual winner here) and ran up to his best when narrowly touched off over 6f last time out around this track. Connections try him over 7f for the first time here though off his old mark (due to go up 6lb in the future) and he may just struggle to see out this extra furlong.

Form: 651173

(6)

Custard The Dragon^p1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J Fanning| T: J Mackie| OR: 71

2/1

Yet to be beaten here with both wins coming over C&D off marks of 65 and 68 and has looked better than ever on this surface. Shaped just as well at Newcastle on his latest run (not ideally placed) and hard to ignore back at a track that he clearly enjoys with the cheekpieces on for the first time.

Form: 745421

(9)

Playtothewhistle^v⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 70

5/1

Well backed on his last run at the track which saw him finish a disappointing third to the in-form Shearian. Clearly acts well here as he is a dual winner on the surface but does need to show more than he did on his last start to take a hand in this.

Form: 637835

(11)

Greyfriarschorista¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-2| J: A Mullen| T: P D Evans| OR: 65

20/1

Fives times a winner around here although the last of those wins came a year ago off a 5lb higher mark. Has been well below form of late though even around Southwell and faces a tough task, even off a falling mark on his favourite track.

Form: 944382

(4)

Unnoticed^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R Winston| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 65

13/2

Has run well on all his three starts on fibresand (322) and remains in good form. Well backed at Wolverhampton last time out with headgear on, he made his effort too soon and was found wanting at the finish. Still looks as though he can win a race such as this especially back on this surface with the cheekpieces removed this time.

Form: 426352

(5)

Showing Off¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: M Wigham| OR: 63

66/1

Won a maiden on his second start when with Henry Candy but has shown very little of late including on his last two starts at Southwell.

Form: 509009

(8)

Fortinbrass¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Joe Doyle| T: J Balding| OR: 62

20/1

Winner over C&D last time out added to his three previous course wins means that he is worthy of respect here. Takes a step-up in class though and the mark of 62 is probably high enough these days.

Form: 533661

(1)

Dark Forest^p¹¹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Barry McHugh| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 56

11/2

Very much bounced back to form when winning here last time out over this trip after a couple of poor runs at Newcastle. Appeared suited by the surface (first run on it) and benefitted from running off a much reduced mark on just his third start for this stable. Still looks relatively well treated, even under a penalty and may well be able to handle this higher grade.

Form: 137313

(2)

Llewellyn⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: Phil Dennis⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 60

20/1

Dual winner at the track and usually sets a good pace up front often doing too much too soon, as seen on his last run. This looks tougher than he has faced of late and more needed to win even off a falling mark.

Form: 5-09481

(10)

One Man Army¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Rowan Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: Julia Brooke| OR: 58

66/1

Lightly-raced sort who won his maiden his maiden over C&D in April 2015. Certainly needed the run after a long absence last month and whilst not totally written off he will need to find more to get involved.

Form: 18850-9

(3)

Capital Gearing^b³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: H Spiller| OR: 53

12/1

Still a maiden after 16 tries (six on the AW) but has put in a couple of creditable efforts on this surface on his last two runs. Went off favourite on his last run here in a 0-60 but only finished fifth after losing his action in the closing stages and has far more to do in this contest.

Form: 003663

Forecasts

Custard The Dragon (2/1), Playtothewhistle (5/1), Dark Forest (11/2), Unnoticed (13/2), Fujin (8/1), Capital Gearing (12/1), Fortinbrass (20/1), Greyfriarschorista (20/1), Llewellyn (20/1), One Man Army (66/1), Showing Off (66/1)

A competitive contest for the grade with a few that have been in good form on the surface of late; Custard The Dragon and Dark Forest set a good standard. The former has really taken to the fibresand and remains in form while the latter still looks well treated under a penalty. Playtothewhistle would have a chance on his best form. UNNOTICED has been knocking on the door of late and looks to appreciate this surface so he may be a touch of value in this tough handicap. 1. Unnoticed 2. Custard The Dragon 3. Dark Forest