Even without the intended chasing debut of Wichita Lineman, withdrawn presumably because of the fastish ground, there is enough on today's Southwell card to keep jumps fans happy. Alan King's runners are showing a healthy profit here in recent years and I like the look of the trainer's Irish import, King Troy (3.20) in the handicap chase. Brought over for the promising Jack Doyle to ride, King Troy was shaping well on his chasing debut at Clonmel until he fell two out. The ground is an imponderable with him, but presumably King feels the six-year-old will go on it.
Blue Dark (3.50), who shaped well in bumpers last year, and Over Sixty (4.20), who was a place behind Argento Luna at level weights in a Listed event at Aintree on her final start, are other strong Southwell contenders from the powerful King stable.
Otaared (8.20) looks like going off a pretty hot favourite at Kempton tonight, but it is hardly surprising as Michael Jarvis's well-bred colt could easily prove a class above this opposition. Diriculous (3.40) is not as well treated as some by the conditions of the sprint at Great Leighs, but he is unbeaten in two starts over the six furlongs here and looks ready to step up markedly on latest Lingfield form.
