14:05 Southwell

Friday 21 December 2018

All11:2011:5012:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Sun Racing Handicap

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 1m 40.36s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Matterhorn⁹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80| D

5/4

Raven's Pass colt has improve significantly with each of four starts, winning twice. 6lb penalty but won with authority on handicap debut and should only keep on progressing for leading stable. Should go close if taking to new surface.

Form: 3121

(6)

Custard The Dragon^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: L Morris| T: J Mackie| OR: 83| C

12/1

May have needed the run following an absence on recent return and does go well here. However has failed to convince on previous two starts at a distance beyond 7f and remains a touch high in the weights.

Form: 345299

(2)

Three Weeks^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83| D

9/2

Twice a winner for William Haggas but produced a career-best for new stable when runner-up on fibresand debut over 1m4f. Should have plenty more to offer on this surface although drop in trip rates a concern.

Form: 154642

(3)

Hammer Gun^v¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 80| CD

7/2

Now 5lb below last winning mark over 7f here in March. Solid third here last time and stays this extra furlong well. Can be involved once again on a surface that produces his best form.

Form: 007803

(1)

Mama Africa²³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 80| CD

20/1

Well beaten at Nottingham in May but had previously proved progressive on this surface with two wins and a second from four starts here. Goes well fresh and although this requires more off her current mark, a good run can't be discounted.

Form: 011-426

(9)

Sheila's Treat²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: I Furtado| OR: 80| D

8/1

Prolific winner on the AW in Greece and took advantage of reduced mark when winning at Yarmouth on his third start for new yard. Held off 17lb higher since and although down 5lb, others remain better handicapped.

Form: 0/15718

(7)

Makambe^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Joey Haynes| T: P Howling| OR: 76| D

33/1

Largely consistent for Charlie Hills until flopping on his final start. Has struggled again in first two runs for new yard and although drop in trip can help, remains one to watch on course debut.

Form: 132058

(5)

Final Frontier¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 75

33/1

Won his first two for Jessica Harrington back in 2015 including a Group 3. but form tailed off thereafter. Better for current yard last twice but more still required and new surface to contend with.

Form: 8/78-636

(8)

Shearian^v³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 69| CD

20/1

Course specialist whose last seven wins have come here including six over this distance but remains 4lb higher than the last of them and has never scored in a grade this high. Others look stronger candidates.

Form: 062194

Forecasts

Matterhorn (5/4), Hammer Gun (7/2), Three Weeks (9/2), Sheila's Treat (8/1), Custard The Dragon (12/1), Mama Africa (20/1), Shearian (20/1), Makambe (33/1), Final Frontier (33/1)

MATTERHORN has proved most progressive in four starts at different tracks and took his biggest step forward of all when winning on handicap debut. He could have even more to offer on this surface while Three Weeks also looked one to follow after proving a liking for the fibresand last time, although the drop in distance is a question. Hammer Gun shouldn't be far away in ideal conditions while a market move for Mama Africa would be interesting.