Southwell 8th Dec (AW)

[chris34]

12.30 Southwell Unusual for me to opt for a horse without course form round southwell but Bentley brook caused a big upset the other night over beating follow the dream by a neck and with Bentley brook having to carry a 6lb penalty I would be looking for a place reversal especially considering a rather wet ride given by Holland last time out and also off the track for 3 months and is sure to strip fitter, only concern is Bentley brook is experienced on this course where as follow the dream is yet to try here but a small field will certainly help as far as kick back goes. 1pt win follow the dream 1.00 Southwell Toms laughter is capable of a decent win this winter but not sure this is the one having had 3 runs on this surface and shown little and also his slow starting tactics not ideal here. Lesleys choice won extremely well last time out but last 2 wins have come with visor on and blinkers refitted today and also up 4lb which may just be enough now. Hell of a lot of front runners in this race which is either gonna see which ever one lead make all or set a blazing pace for a finisher and therefore I am gonna stick with a versitale sort in Equuleus Pictor who can make all or sit behind the pace and be presented as a threat. Is only 1lb higher now than last win on turf and June and he relishes heavy/soft conditions on turf and although an unknown on this surface soft/heavy form usually goes well round here. 1pt e/w equuleus pictor 10/1 bet365 1.30 Southwell Shadows Lengthening has suddenly ffound a really liking for racing completeing a hatrick here at the weekend with a 9 length victory and a 6lb penalty is well easy to look past especially with the same jockey on board claiming his useful 7lb. General Tufto loves this venue to and although had previously looked as if the season had taken its toll on him until last time out back round here under an un experienced jockey, gets to run off same mark as last time out and is 4lb lower than last win over CD and has a nice draw to go from. 2pt win shadows lengthening 0.25pt e/w general tufto 2.00 Southwell Cheeky e/w’er here in Artesium who hasn’t really been ridden with any confidence or determination last 2 outings from wide draws at kempton and wolverhampton but has shown enough on his 2 starts round here to suggest he has potential at this venue. He was 3rd and 4th off a mark of 56 over CD in December last year and is now rated just 53 and won a weak handicap off a 1lb lower mark at lingfield. 0.25pt e/w Artesium 3.00 Southwell Cool sands continues in good form having finished place on last 2 outings including a CD handicap, amazing handicapper hasn’t risen him in the weights especially considering how well handicapped he is having won off a mark of 66 in November last year and is now rated just 55 and this has got to be his last chance of this mark. 0.5pt win cool sands 3.30 Southwell Diamond blade appears to be improving ahead of the handicapper and hard to say which one is in charge today so gonna side with hollow jo who is useful on the AW although only raced 4 times here never shown too much, he is now running off last winning mark and has put to good efforts together latest and has had a couple of months off now and does go well fresh when in the mood! 0.25pt e/w hollow jo

[fintron]

Re: Southwell 8th Dec (AW) 1.00 Southwell This looks a cracking sprint over the flying five at Southwell and, as ever, you want to be looking for a horse drawn centrally that will not be coming from too far off the pace. Mondovi will be cheered on by owners Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer but prefers to be held up so I am opposing and although Lesley's Choice is in the form of his life and acts here, he is drawn wide in box two. With that in mind, it may pay to chance the top-weight Canadian Danehill. Robert Cowell's gelding was in good form earlier in the season, winning two turf races at Newmarket off 85 and 91 to confirm he still possesses ability even now he's seven. He's a four-time course and distance winner that has dropped 1 lb below his last win in this sphere (March '08) and although he disappointed at Wolverhampton last time out he was never happy with how the race unfolded. The handicapper has dropped him two pounds as a result and he could go well off a mark of 90. 16/1 Bet 365, 0.5 pt EW (3 places, 1/5 odds).