16:30 Southwell

Tuesday 7 March 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 1m 15.59s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Fortinbrass⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Balding| OR: 62

15/2

Won a similar race over C&D on his penultimate start but was subsequently found out in a slightly higher grade. However, he goes well on the surface and has fared well with a decent position in the stalls. Needs to post his best effort for quite some time but is in good form and will be a difficult customer to deal with if he runs his usual race.

Form: 533661

(8)

Borough Boy^v⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: T Hamilton| T: D Shaw| OR: 62

5/1

Dropping in the ratings but has become hard to win with of late. However, the surface holds no fears for him and he has a solid chance of at least claiming a place in the frame if he can recapture any of his old sparkle.

Form: 424414

(2)

Viva Verglas¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 60

9/1

Showed very little on his return from a long time away from the action and may need a couple more runs to put him straight. Looks readily opposable just for the time being.

Form: 114427

(3)

Spice Mill^t,v⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 60

13/2

Very ordinary form so far and yet to really convince that his turn is near since switching yards. Did, however, run well over C&D as a youngster so makes some appeal for an each-way punt in a modest event like this.

Form: 027-755

(13)

Monsieur Jimmy³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D Carroll| OR: 59

9/2

Been quite a while since he has troubled the judge and needs to step things up considerably after a handful of very poor performances.

Form: 257434

(7)

Whaleweigh Station^v¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 59

16/1

Can race keenly and often leaves himself vulnerable to a strong finisher. However, as he proved at Kempton in January, he can be tough to overhaul when he is in a determined frame of mind. Still, he is 7lb higher in the weights and faces no easy task on these terms.

Form: 136606

(12)

Excellent Aim⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 9-5| J: Jane Elliott⁽⁷⁾| T: G G Margarson| OR: 58

10/1

Has won at this course in the past but debatable as to whether he is as effective over 6f as he is over the minimum distance. Place claims if his stamina holds out but has a stiff draw to contend with.

Form: 976942

(5)

Doeadeer^p1⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 57

14/1

Dropping in the weights and is on the verge of being very well handicapped. However, her only previous try on the fibresand left a lot to be desired, so she has a bit to prove this time around.

Form: 2-18800

(1)

Major Muscari^p⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Charlie Bennett⁽⁵⁾| T: S A Harris| OR: 57

12/1

Has placed, but never won over C&D, so needs to be at his very best. Tends to go a tad better at Lingfield (but also noteworthy he has an entry at Newcastle later in the week). Others preferred.

Form: 235783

(9)

Spowarticus^v⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: D Swift| T: S Dixon| OR: 53

12/1

Very hard to get enthusiastic about his recent profile and, given the modest current form of his yard and a difficult draw to overcome, he looks up against it this afternoon.

Form: 892588

(10)

Cadeaux Pearl^b⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 8-7| J: Robbie Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 45

16/1

Consistent at this level and has claims of getting one over on some of his old rivals. The jockey's 7lb claim will come in very handy but the wide draw means the partnership will need to be at the top of their game.

Form: 547290

Non-Runners

(4)

Hab Reeh¹⁶⁰

Weight: 8-13| Age: 9

T: Mrs R Carr J: J P Sullivan

(11)

Wimboldsley⁵⁰

Weight: 8-11| Age: 6

T: S Dixon J: K T O'Neill

Forecasts

Monsieur Jimmy (9/2), Borough Boy (5/1), Wimboldsley (6/1), Spice Mill (13/2), Fortinbrass (15/2), Viva Verglas (9/1), Excellent Aim (10/1), Major Muscari (12/1), Spowarticus (12/1), Doeadeer (14/1), Cadeaux Pearl (16/1), Whaleweigh Station (16/1), Hab Reeh (16/1)

A lot of these are old rivals and have faced each other on numerous occasions. FORTINBRASS has a more solid profile than most and, despite having to shoulder the burden of topweight, the fractions stack up in his favour on this occasion. Wimboldsley and Cadeaux Pearl are closely matched and both have sound claims of making the frame, but have been done few favours by the draw; so it may be down to Whaleweigh Station to provide the selection with the sternest challenge this time around.