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12:02 Merican Knight
It’s easy to make a strong case for Classic Escape, who is 4lb ahead of the handicapper after his close second at Sedgefield last week. However, MERCIAN KNIGHT is also well treated if judged on last season’s hurdle win, while last month’s very respectable fifth over fences at Lingfield came in a competitive race and on ground that may have been slower than ideal. 2m4f winner Manofthemoment flopped badly on his latest start in January but looks interesting on his first attempt at 3m under rules.
READ MORE: Runner-by-runner guide to Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup
12:32 Defuture Is Bright
A race which to a large degree revolves around DEFUTURE IS BRIGHT who goes off the same mark as when scoring comfortably at Warwick last week and is due to go up 11lb. Holbrook Park, Massini Man, who has a reasonable record fresh, and Rizzardo can fight it out for minor honours.
13:05 El Kaldoun
The returning Orrisdale appeals as the type to do well over fences but the percentage call is Nicky Henderson’s EL KALDOUN who beat a subsequent winner when making a successful start to his chase career at Hexham last month and leaves the impression there’ll be more to come up at 3m. Monkey Puzzle may prove best of the remainder.
13:40 The Bull McCabe
All six runners have something going for them but the most obvious answer is THE BULL McCABE, who was far too strong for Barbados Buck’s when winning a Stratford maiden in good style last month. Wigglesworth joined Richard Newland after a promising hurdle debut in Ireland this summer and looks interesting but a bigger threat to the selection might emerge from Mr Harp, who stayed on well over 2m3f on his hurdle debut and has stamina in his pedigree.
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14:15 Hooper
Found On was in the front rank and still appeared to be travelling quite well before her penultimate-flight fall at Cheltenham last month but that was a below-average race for that track and preference is for bumper winner HOOPER, who was one of two to draw clear of the others when going close on his hurdle debut.
14:50 Barrys Jack
At First Glance and Anightinlambourn both made encouraging handicap debuts but the suggestion is BARRYS JACK, who proved he retains a significant chunk of his old ability when second last month after a long absence, and remains on a handy mark.
15:25 Dash Of Blue (NAP)
This can go to DASH OF BLUE (nap), who ran very well when third on his seasonal debut at Wincanton 19 days ago and is still quite lightly raced. Blunder Buss, who returned from a long absence last month, is very well handicapped on old form and will be feared if strong in the betting.
15:55 Zarazena
This modest finale can go to unexposed 5yo ZARAZENA, who shaped quite well before finishing sixth on last month’s seasonal/handicap debut at Exeter and has the potential to build on that performance. Handicap debutante Conchita also has scope for improvement and is second choice. Dylan’s Sea Song would have something to prove on ground slower than good to soft but she also features prominently in calculations.
The Racing Post’s tips at Southwell on Friday
12:02 Merican Knight
12:32 Defuture Is Bright
13:05 El Kaldoun
13:40 The Bull McCabe
14:15 Hooper
14:50 Barrys Jack
15:25 Dash Of Blue (NAP)
15:55 Zarazena
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