17:15 Southwell

Monday 3 March 2025

All14:0314:3715:0715:4216:1216:4217:15

Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 4m 9.6s

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Selected odds by:

Synchronist²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 95

6/1

Runner-up in an Irish point and bettered his first 2 efforts over hurdles when fifth of 11 with first-time blinkers (removed) enlisted at Sedgefield (19.8f, soft) last month. This drop in trip may well work in his favour and looks interesting on handicap debut with Sean Bowen booked.

Form: P2-765

Je Viens Du Large^p1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 94

5/2

Easily off the mark in Irish points but handed a stiff enough looking mark, finishing fifth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (16.6f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Dropped 2 lb for that effort and cheekpieces applied but may still have a bit to find.

Form: 21-P475

Monteplex^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: B Ellison| OR: 90

66/1

Modest form at best in bumpers and ran to a similar level when second of 7 in novice hurdle at Kelso (16.2f, soft) in March 2023. Offered little in first-time cheekpieces following 22-months off and well-beaten on handicap hurdle debut last month. Tongue-tie back on but others preferred.

Form: 50P2/77

Ici La Reine²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 90| D

10/1

AW bumper winner who shaped fairly well on hurdles debut in November 2023. However, she has failed to build on that in 3 subsequent starts and likely needed the run when returning from 9 month-absence for her new yard last month. Market should offer a guide to expectations.

Form: 0/5567-7

Roxhill³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 89

16/1

No great shakes in a couple of points and efforts in qualifying runs were underwhelming. Struggled on handicap debut when fifth of 11 in handicap hurdle (28/1) at Lingfield (16f, soft) 31 days ago. Others look better treated.

Form: 3/8-4755

Small Town Hero²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 89| D

15/2

Point winner showed some promise in qualifying runs but underperformed on handicap debut when tackling 3m for the first time. Drops significantly in trip but could only be of interest if market speaks in his favour.

Form: 10-5609

Rhiannon Ring⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 73

6/1

From a good jumping family and finished runner-up sole start in Irish points. Has been slow to progress under Rules but did show best form to date when third of 12 in handicap hurdle (9/1) at Catterick (15.7f, good) 40 days ago. Lightly-raced and further improvement not ruled out.

Form: 747-683

Sawpit Samantha^h,t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 73

20/1

No real impact for Sam Drinkwater but fitted with a hood/tongue tie, she made more of an impact starting out for new yard when third of 11 at Plumpton (20.5f) last month. Never threatened (with hood removed) last time but no surprise to see an improved effort with that headgear refitted.

Form: 6P35-37

Eric Carmen^p,t⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 71| C

7/2

Course winner isn't the most consistent but made the most of a good opportunity to win over fences 5 days ago having found more off the bridle than usual in a race that was run to suit. Back over hurdles (3 lb out of the handicap again) and respected being the only runner to have won in this sphere.

Form: 32P431

Remarkable Flight^h¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 80

40/1

Fair winner on the Flat for Charlie Hills but achieved very little when second of 2 finishers on Leicester hurdle debut in November. Subsequent runs in juvenile company have been far from convincing and stiff task from out of the weights on handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 276

Non-Runners

Tigers Moon²⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: T Ellis J: Jack Andrews

Forecasts

Je Viens Du Large (5/2), Tigers Moon (10/3), Eric Carmen (7/2), Synchronist (6/1), Rhiannon Ring (6/1), Small Town Hero (15/2), Ici La Reine (10/1), Roxhill (16/1), Sawpit Samantha (20/1), Remarkable Flight (40/1), Monteplex (66/1)

In a very moderate race, TIGERS MOON appeals most having shown much improved form on handicap debut, particularly as he's bred to be much better than his current mark. Eric Carmen is the only runner to have won a hurdles race, so he's respected if able to back up his recent chase win, while Synchronist could be open to progress now sent handicapping.