14:15 Southwell

Thursday 21 December 2017

All11:4512:1512:4513:1513:4514:1514:5015:25

Betway Stayers Handicap

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 2m 26.42s

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(11)

Mister Showman^p³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 65| C

2/1

Took well to the Fibresand on his first try on the surface (debut for this yard) over 1m4f and looked as though he may well be capable of better. Failed to back up that run over the same C&D off this mark (raced close to strong pace); may do better this time around.

Form: 9262-15

(9)

Up Ten Down Two³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryan Timby⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 65

25/1

Has won on the AW but on a different surface (Tapeta) and caught the eye on one occasion in the autumn on turf. Hasn't impressed since then though and finished well held here last time on his first try on this surface.

Form: 779678

(3)

Scrutiny¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Shelley Birkett⁽³⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 65

50/1

This is the 5th yard of his career and his hurdles form for his previous yard had looked regressive. Returned from a break recently on the AW at Newcastle (easy to back) and didn't appear to offer much and now tries this unique surface for the first time.

Form: 1471/0-0

(1)

Anton Chigurh^h²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 63| C

33/1

Dropped 5lb below his last winning mark which came over a mile here last December when he was with the Dascombe yard. Hasn't really impressed for his current yard on the Flat or over hurdles and pulled to hard over a longer trip last time at Wolverhampton.

Form: 524676

(7)

The Lock Master^v²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 62| CD

20/1

Most of his best form has come on Fibresand and he's 3/11 over this C&D (won nine times on Fibresand). Resumed winning ways here in May over 1m4f of a 7lb higher mark but looks out of sorts at the moment even off a falling mark.

Form: 668906

(10)

Havelock³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D C Costello| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 65

14/1

Has been seen here before when with the Mark Johnston yard (finished third in 7f maiden) but failed to win and looked regressive for that yard. Has still yet to show much for his current handler (tried over hurdles last time) and best watched for now.

Form: 227880

(4)

Maraakib¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: D O'Meara| OR: 62

15/2

Sire has a 10% strike-rate on this surface and he now tries Fibresand for the first time although he hasn't won for ages (running consistently enough at the moment). Not tried over this trip before and can flatter to deceive; not sure if this test will prove ideal.

Form: 273426

(8)

Lean On Pete¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: A Mullen| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 60| CD

7/2

Has plenty of track form despite only winning once here from 14 attempts although he has run well enough on his last two starts here (runner-up both occasions). Still remains above his last winning mark though and another place may be the best he can hope for.

Form: 804202

(6)

Kay Sera¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: E J Walsh⁽³⁾| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 59

50/1

His four runs here read 2367 with the latest of those outings being particularly disappointing off the back of a break (raced very lazily). Looks as though other AW surfaces suit him better as he's a winner on both Polytrack and Tapeta in the past.

Form: 516677

(2)

Bushel²⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 58| CD

25/1

Twice a winner here and returned to form out of the blue to take advantage of a tumble in the weights back in April over C&D. Not seen since and only off a 1lb higher mark as he returns to action; any enthusiasm slightly tempered by the fact that his form after a long break is poor.

Form: 509-051

(12)

Cresendo^t⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: M Harley| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 58

11/2

First run for this yard (also first on this surface) having been sold out of the Bolger yard for 3,000 guineas in October. His overall record looks patchy but this yard do well with their GB runners; has a American-bred sire and worth watching in the market.

Form: 21-8025

(5)

Buthelezi⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: S Donohoe| T: B Ellison| OR: 57

14/1

By the American sire Dynaformer and that offers promise that he will act on this surface and having plummeted in the weights he shaped well at Wolverhampton over shorter last time out. If he takes to the Fibresand and can back up that run then he is undeniably well handicapped.

Form: 997006

Forecasts

Mister Showman (2/1), Lean On Pete (7/2), Cresendo (11/2), Maraakib (15/2), Havelock (14/1), Buthelezi (14/1), The Lock Master (20/1), Up Ten Down Two (25/1), Bushel (25/1), Anton Chigurh (33/1), Kay Sera (50/1), Scrutiny (50/1)

There are a couple worth watching in the market in this intriguing event down at the foot of the handicap in Cresendo and Buthelezi. The former comes from a shrewd yard and they may well have rejuvenated this one while the latter has dropped to a very attractive mark based on his old form and his pedigree gives hope that he will act on this surface. The safer option though is MISTER SHOWMAN who is probably better than he showed last time and has already proved that he can act on this surface winning here on his debut for this yard. Lean On Pete may well be able to gain another place while Maraakib if he handles the surface could prove dangerous although his finishing effort does leave something to be desired on many occasions.