Flat Racing 13th March

[chris34]

2.30 Southwell Sir Geoffrey used to be fairly useful on this surface but has completely lost the plot recently and remains one to steer clear of despite plummeting handicap mark. Masked Dancer won a 6f course seller on penultimate start, ran ok back in handicap last time but this is a strong looking race and probably needs some help from the assessor based on that run and might be more interesting back on turf. Bitaphon and Alpha Tauri met here yesterday in a CD seller with the Alpha coming out on top with Bitaphon finishing particularly well. Bitaphon appears to blow a bit hot and cold and has to be tread carefully with. Alpha probably has his work cut out off this sort of mark in handicap anyhow without the 6lb penalty so plenty to do. Hellbender has returned to great form since joining this yard, left with too much to do here last time out over 6f and should appreciate the return to 7f although 5lb rise makes things tougher has been competitive off similar marks in past but a long time ago. For George Benjamin is the most interesting at a reasonable e/w price. He comes here fresher than most, has gone well fresh in the past and ran a great race when last seen at Doncaster in November off 65 having dropped a long way in the handicap. Up 3lb for that effort but remains 5lb below last winning mark and has previously run well on this surface and yard had a winner last week here with Fanning in the saddle so would be no surprise to see him go well. 1pt e/w George Benjamin 7/1 bet365 5.40 Southwell Plenty of these go well here and several are in good form. Sannibel has been running well on polytrack recently but yet to try this surface which would be the worry here. Seamster won from a long lay off on penultimate start and not beaten far over CD last week, apprentice takes the ride and takes the 5lb off and has a good record around here but yet to convince he will progress further. Upper Lambourn had caught the eye a couple of times under some interesting rides recently before Fanning took the ride and gave him a great ride off a career low mark a 6lb penalty still leaves him potentially well handicapped but he only just beat Pull The Pin by a neck and a 6lb turnaround leaves him needing to find more against an unexposed sort. Pull The Pin has now strung 3 good efforts together on this surface in 2 handicaps off a 1lb lower mark. He was fairly keen last time out and eventually pulled himself to the front but just tired up in final 100 yards for Upper Lambourn to collar him, 5lb turn around in the weights and the fact he remains unexposed makes him more appealing this time round. Blinkers may just add a little more aslong as he isn’t too keen in them! 2pt win Pull The Pin 11/4 bet365 5.50 Kempton Tenure is the unknown quantity having had just the 3 runs over a mile, steps up in trip today. Breeding sends a mixed picture given he should be effective over a mile but should also stay this trip. Moores only ride on the card. Safwaan ran a totally moody race last time out and is now 2lb higher today having previously ran well after winning off a 9lb lower mark probably handicapper got him for now but this yard always hard to predict. Lytham has found his feet in some low grade handicaps this winter but is now pushed up a grade and a further 4lb rise probably leaves him needing to find something else at a ripe old age of 12. Landesherr has run several good races but is still a maiden and looks one to not get to carried away with despite a good run last time out. For me Having A Ball offers some hope after a good solid run last time out over CD, he was drawn out wide in a big field, looked like finishing nearer last than 1^st before finishing his race really well. He has proved largely consistent this winter and better drawn today and dropped a 1lb should go well once more. 1pt win Having A Ball 5/1 bet365 8.50 Kempton Several of these come into this out of sorts. Honey Of A Kitten won a seller last night at Wolves in good style a penalty tonight makes life a lot tougher back in handicap. Mafi has won 2 small field handicaps recently at Lingfield, has run poorly twice here in the past which is an obvious concern even though only put up a 1lb for latest win and still on a workable mark. Spirit Of Xaar has returned to form recently, creeping back up the weights another 2lb higher for latest improved effort, overall strike rated is pretty dismal though 2 from 35 and remains one to treat with caution despite being on a good mark based on his Irish form. Diplomatic is a grand servant and is only 1lb above his last winning mark but this mark does require a career best. Greyfriarschorista is a former useful sort with listed level form on the AW. Went the wrong way for Johnston but was revived by Ellison last winter before being claimed out of that yard. Not seen for nearly a year and 2 runs so far having showed much but did show a lot more last time out meeting trouble and finishing quite well and easing back down the weights and should be competitive off this sort of mark, very useful and in form apprentice Tart takes the ride to claim a further 7lb. 1pt e/w Greyfriarschorista 9/1 bet365