Flat Racing 26th March

[chris34]

2.30 Southwell Imtithal remains a maiden after 8 starts, ran to a respectable level on the AW last winter before going off the boil on turf, much better on return from break and clearly AW looks his trick. Only beaten length and a quarter last time out on first run for 257 days, obviously this is a quick enough turnaround and tries fibresand for first time. Keep It Dark lightly raced but not shown a huge amount to date and disappointed on first try on this surface when last seen in a weak maiden over 7f, not seen for 131 days so market will tell the story. Thereabouts comes from the Appleby yard who know what they are doing around here and have been in good form (perhaps not quite so good in past few days). He ran a good race behind the runaway winner in Frontier Fighter last time out runs off same mark and Morris strong booking. My worry is the trip, he shapes as if stamina is his things and this slower surface defenetily a plus in that side of things but may want a little further but has tried further and failed to do much and shaping a little tripless and one to tread carefully with given he has gone off at some short enough prices. Handsome King did show a reasonable level of fibresand form on first start around here before bombing out on next 2 starts here a worry but was last seen winning a maiden handicap at Yarmouth up 2lb but enough to oppose on this occasion. Bold Marc is capable on this surface but most of his form recently has come in claimers and sellers and needs to find more now. Royal Holiday is the most interesting for me. A real fibresand specialist all 4 wins coming on this surface including 2 here this winter last one off just a 3lb lower mark. He struggled to land a blow on return to this surface over 7f getting outpaced and never travelling. Much more like it last time out over a trip that probably stretches him, this return to a mile a positive and looks to have more in him on this surface. 2pt win Royal Holiday 3/1 bet365 4.30 Southwell Lexington Bay has a good strike rate, he has one win from 2 tries on this surface although that was only in a 4 runner maiden. He took advantage of a sliding mark at end of turf season, only 1lb above that mark but didn’t convince over hurdles this winter and a mixed race on return to flat at Wolves last time out when not travelling with any fluency although not beaten far in the end. Jacobs Son is in good form at present looking for the hatrick today, he won in good style beating an in form sort in Dewala a 7lb rise looks a little harsh, also this further step up in trip probably right at his upper end of stamina reserves off a career high mark. Northside Prince ran a solid race behind his stablemate on his first run since Sept around here, that was only his 2^nd try on surface and both have now resulted in very solid looking form and may have some progression in him on this surface and he will need to given he remains 7lb above his last winning mark although has placed off higher marks in strong races. Been given a chance to recover after that run and should go well here. 2pt win Northside Prince 7/2 bet365

[markmywords]

Re: Flat Racing 26th March 15:30 Souhwell Marshall Art - I can't seem to cry a winner at the minute but if I didn't back this and it gets home I would kick myself. If the going is slower than normal here it will have a chance. It hits top of the RPR with the favourite. Untried over distance but is a course winner. When winning (58) with 5lb claimer Thomas Brown onboard trainer David Evans quoted "This track has really suited him. He´s got early speed and keeps up a gallop, but he doesn´t really quicken." Marshall Art will need to get out of the blocks early today (60) with a 7lb claimer onboard for the chance to stay on but 40/1 W.Hill is a price to tempt me in. 0.5EW