Flat racing ~ Friday 9th December

[Stevet1859]

12:50 Southwell: Hilbre Court 1pt win 10/1 Ladbrokes Hilbre Court is on a long losing run, however this surface can make a huge difference and in the past Hilbre Court's best performances have been here. He is off a mark which is more than a stone lower he has been competitive off in the past. While Hilbre Court has experienced problems as he was off for more than a year, at the age of six, he should have plenty of miles still left on the clock.

[Cowan]

Re: Flat racing ~ Friday 9th December Southwell 12.50 - Hilbre Court (9.00), Putin (9.00) The favourite is Greyfriarschorista who won with some in hand last time out when making all over 9f at Wolverhampton. Is turned out 8 days later to try and beat the handicapper. Is odds-on and is too short for me to have. I don't like this favourite because unlike last time he won't get the run of the race with some other frontrunners to contend with. I don't like that he's dropped by 1f either, and if considering the hypothetical 'Southwell Distance Rule' courtesy of Trotter, its actually a 2f drop. Also the first run on Fibresand. I see value in the field. With a fast pace the race could fall to Hilbre Court drawn wide. This horse does so much better at Southwell, and over 8f, that I wonder why he doesn't race to these conditions all the time rather than being put over longer distances. Having won off a mark of 70 in the past he looks attractive off 53 today at conditions which he has shown a liking to. Putin has transformed into a new animal since changing stables and trying on some new headgear. Won second last time out from a wide draw, and against the pace, by 2f over this C&D - impressive. Poor lto but that was because connections rushed him out again within the week and over a lesser distance which was unsuitable. A repeat of 2lto and he's won this.