Flat Racing 12th March

[chris34]

2.30 Southwell Mishrif won around here in December, bumped up 6lb for that but still in good form based on latest efforts and only beaten a length last time out but bumped up yet another 3lb and never won off a mark this high before. Also unlikely to be suited by this drop back in trip today has looked to need all of the mile trip recently. Spirit Rider is unexposed but has pretty much failed to beat a rival in 2 handicap starts and mark looking harsh, yet to try this surface. Loud has been beaten in all 3 handicap starts having won on debut, not helped by draw latest and should come on for the run but this surface is an unknown. Tartan Trip won a 4 runner event here in January, not in same form on last 2 starts and has a lot to prove for now. Imaginary World was ½ length behind Sofias Number One last time out, he hasn’t won off a mark this high before so a career best effort required where as Sofia is back on his last winning mark and that effort last time out was a return to form, also worth noting he came alive around this time last year and the year before too. He is a real course specialist although this trip might be on the short side but looks the safest option in this. 2pt win Sofias Number One 3/1 bet365 5.35 Southwell Beachwood Bay has dropped to his last winning mark, but well held last time out despite it being a better effort and more required under an inexperienced apprentice. Hab Reeh has only shown very patchy form on this surface and no record fresh so easily passed over. Art Dzeko won over CD on penultimate start but failed to back that up off revised mark last time out, still on a good mark but bounce back required. Laughing Rock is not a regular winner, running his race at present without looking like a winner waiting to happen. Pearl Noir hasn’t been seen for a couple months for some reason which is a concern not beaten far last time out but has largely been held in handicaps. Orwellian scored nicely last time out over CD but he isn’t the obvious sort to follow up, he has his quirks, still well handicapped on his best but Masai Moon looks the safer option. He came from quite an unpromising position at Southwell coming very wide before staying on very strongly in the final furlong to win comfortably in the end under this jockey. Still dangerously well handicapped on his best form and last chance to race in a class 6 event for a while should take all the beating if in the same form. 2pt win Masai Moon 3/1 bet365 7.45 Kempton Another handicap full of inform sorts and not the easiest to solve. Blazing Knight was last seen winning in September at Wolves 7lb higher on this return and might need this run. Gold Beau is yet to win on the AW, but this mark looks plenty high enough returning from a break. Top Cop is never beaten far and often runs his race he did last time out in a 5 runner event last time out, further 1lb lower today and should go well but overall strike rate very uninspiring. Go Far bolted up comfortably yesterday and if turning up and coping with this quick comeback he should go well under 6lb penalty. Spellmaker ran well in a much stronger race last time out and will appreciate this drop in class again, but another career best effort required today. New Leyf might be worth risking in this having returned to his former yard, clearly not as good as he once was, he has a good record fresh and if his old yard can find the key to him again he is 4lb below last winning mark. 2pt win New Leyf 5/1 pp