Management at Southwell are probably sick of the media being rude about the standard of racing commonly staged there. I bet they're looking forward to the opening of Great Leighs, which looks likely to attract runners similarly lacking in quality. Incidentally, I'm told the temporary grandstand at Great Leighs is being built on the inside of the course, meaning a good part of each race will take place behind the stands. Innovative!
Anyway, with just Southwell to entertain us today, we're really down to the bare bones -- and yet, without wishing to grasp at straws, there are a couple of really fascinating handicaps to be picked over.
The ex-Italian Kanisorn is a fascinating contender in the mile and a half race. A prolific winner in his native country, he continued a trend of Italian invaders winning round our all-weather tracks when scooting up in a seller here earlier in the month. Now with David Chapman, he's hard to assess but my feeling is that a mark of 77 is high enough for what he's achieved.
He'll have to be very well treated to beat Noble Plum (3.00), who carries a 6lb penalty for her easy defeat of Bentley Brook last week. Now that she's getting the hang of racing, she could be the sort to run up a sequence for trainer Sir Mark Prescott, who has turned this kind of trick so many times in the past.
The seven-furlong handicap is worth ten grand to the winner, enough to bring Barry Hills's horsebox through the gates. Mr Combustible himself (who has recently denied rumours that he's on the cusp of retirement) has a 27% strike-rate over five years at Southwell and Bonnie Prince Blue (2.30) can improve that record. Victory for the five-year-old was never in doubt over 6f here a fortnight ago and he stays this far, though an 8lb hike moderates enthusiasm.
From a yard at the top of its game, Red Romeo is a real threat.
1.05pm Hits Only Jude wins the opener
. . . as 4-1 fav, despite being 16-1 in the morning paper. Well done to trainer Paul Blockley, for whom the horse was having his first run since leaving Jeff Pearce. Clearly a good showing was expected on this Fibresand debut.
Hope you didn't go for Epidaurian King, Jagfox - that's his third blowout on Fibresand. His three recent wins were all on Polytrack. I appreciate that this is sheer aftertiming, though . . .
2.35pm Kabeer wins as Bonnie Prince Blue royally stuffed
It was all over after about 50 yards for favourite backers as Bonnie Prince Blue came under strong driving almost as soon as the field left the stalls. He ran like a 33-1 shot and there had better be an explanation forthcoming. Mr Hills is presumably combusting somewhere.
The capable but unsung Natalia Gemelova steered home Kabeer (5-1).
3.03pm Maslak wins at 20-1
0/2 for the blog, alas. Noble Plum was ridden with confidence by Seb Sanders but never looked like justifying that, though she possibly didn't enjoy being raced up to the leaders on the wide outside as the field swung for home.
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