Horse Racing tips: A fab 5/1 play tops our best bets at Southwell today

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Today’s better conditions will suit Packettotherafters, who’s getting on and become inconsistent, and likely front-runner Shady Oaks, who is still to prove his stamina over this sort of trip. The expensive-to-follow Summit Like Herbie was again inclined to jump left last time and this looks good for FIRST CLASS RETURN, who’s fairly handicapped back over fences off the back of two solid efforts.

13:00 Azzuri

Bold-jumping front-runner AZZURI is traditionally best around this time of year and there are reasons to expect much better off a career-low mark round a course he likes. He can become the latest in a growing list to inflict defeat on Commis D’Office, who could have done without the drying weather, at a short price.

13:30 Amazing Presence

An interesting mares’ bumper in which plenty of the leading stables are represented, though Nina The Terrier, Chosen Port and Global Famenglory are hard to split on RPRs. Therefore, it’s entirely possible that the Nicky Henderson-trained newcomer AMAZING PRESENCE can make a winning start to her career. She’s out of a half-sister to the French Grade 3 hurdles scorer Overlord, and her trainer is 2-2 in bumpers at Southwell this season.

14:03 Island Nation

The return to a faster surface will suit ISLAND NATION (NAP), as should the tight track given an inclination to race keenly in his Flat days with Heather Main. He’s preferred to Captain Jack, who’s 8lb higher than when coming right away with the winner on his course and distance comeback from a long absence last month.

14:33 Cadzand

Only The Bold won well over course and distance last time but CADZAND, who found it too much when inclined to hang left in a valuable handicap last time, can concede him 6lbs and get back on track.

15:03 She’s Gina

Drying conditions may not be ideal for a few of the leading contenders, including Those Tiger Feet and the inconsistent Ex S’Elance. However, they will suit SHE’S GINA, who has two wins and a second to her name in three runs over course and distance. Pounding Poet is another to consider, despite the concerns about the tight, left-handed course.

15:33 Just A Deal

Three trainers are doubly represented, with Nigel Twiston-Davies holding the strongest hand through the expensive-to-follow Milanstorm and Another Frontier, although Akkapenko is interesting among the likely bigger prices for Tim Vaughan.

Robsam remains open to improvement, having shown more on his handicap debut when last seen, but the vote goes to JUST A DEAL. He ran his best race yet upped to this sort of trip last time.