Southwell tips
14:20 Ali Star Bert
14:55 Gwennie May Jem
15:30 Escapologist
16:05 Alexandra Larose
16:40 Inishnabro
17:15 Defence Witness
*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.
14:20 Ali Star Bert
Timeform top-rated ALI STAR BERT enhanced his fine record at this course with another solid placed effort four weeks ago.
He doesn’t have much in hand of the assessor but should be able to get rolling a little earlier on this quicker ground and Shaun Harris’ nine-year-old is fancied to go one better at the expense of Ultra Beat, who has made a promising start to his chasing career but needs to shrug a lesser effort at Chepstow last time.
Impatient, who is returning from four months off, rounds off the shortlist having possibly found the race coming a bit soon when disappointing at Leicester just eight days after an impressive win at Ffos Las.
14:55 Gwennie May Jem
Representing an in-form yard that should be on a high after the performance of The New Lion at Cheltenham last week, GWENNIE MAY JEM has the potential to build on his recent Leicester chase debut and, with this better ground likely to be no problem, is narrowly preferred to last-time-out C&D scorer Harel du Marais.
Eric Carmen won well at Bangor last month and also has a course win to his name, but is unlikely to get any peace up-front here with Chestnut Pete (well-handicapped but out of form) also likely to go forward.
Jolyjump won over C&D off just 3 lb higher in November and rates a big danger with his yard in good form; a bad mistake three out exaggerated the distance he was beaten last time.
15:30 Escapologist
ESCAPOLOGIST – representing a yard that currently has the Timeform ‘Hot Trainer’ flag – has looked a different proposition since joining James Owen and with more improvement anticipated, he looks the one they all have to beat.
A winner on his hurdling debut, the lightly-raced South Omo Zone could pose a threat if back on song after disappointing on very testing ground at Exeter last month, while Jack Hyde should appreciate this step up in distance having looked in trouble – when sent off at 2/7 – last time here.
The longer trip should also suit Little Dipper who looked a little outpaced when down the field at Ludlow last month.
16:05 Alexandra Larose
Not as competitive as the numbers suggest and class could come to the fore; joint top-weight ALEXANDRA LAROSE is taken to continue her progress and follow up her breakthrough Huntingdon victory from this 7 lb higher perch.
Jessie Jump Jet could emerge as the chief threat now her stamina is unlocked more, with handicap debutantes My Dream – a sister to the fair hurdler You Name Him (winner around 3m) – and the potentially well-treated Viva Valentina also in the mix.
The last-named has been sent off at big prices in better novice races than this and the market should help guide to her chance. Heather Honey represents an in-form yard and is another who should fare better now stepped up in trip (bred to stay 2½m+).
16:40 Inishnabro
Point winner INISHNABRO improved for the step up to 18.5f when opening his Rules account on his handicap debut at Market Rasen and, with this further increase in trip likely to bring about more improvement, he could be the answer for a yard that does well here.
Thank You Blue’s recent form figures over fences make for grim reading but he’s of interest back in this sphere and may emerge as the main danger ahead of Aggagio, who escapes a penalty for his recent Warwick success and is greatly respected, for all that he’s an infrequent winner nowadays.
He was well-supported when winning last time and the market could be a good guide once more. The in-form Greatness Awaits has looked a different animal since the blinkers were fitted and, despite some question marks over the trip, he looks the pick of the rest.
17:15 Defence Witness
Not an easy puzzle to finish with. DEFENCE WITNESS has been expensive to follow but he’s had a breathing operation since last seen so is worth another chance starting out for an in-form yard with a tongue strap applied; his BHA mark of 92 looks workable.
The well-handicapped Lady’s Present and recent Ludlow third Churchman head the dangers, though any market support for Glengolly would look significant. He was very well-backed ahead of his eye-catching fifth at Doncaster on his return in November and is 3 lb lower here; hopefully first-time cheekpieces can help him put his best foot forward.
Monday’s Southwell tips
14:20 Ali Star Bert
14:55 Gwennie May Jem
15:30 Escapologist
16:05 Alexandra Larose
16:40 Inishnabro
17:15 Defence Witness
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change.
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