We are into that week of the year when Flat racing on turf is supposed to be off and running but no-one seems interested in staging it – an odd situation that is exaggerated when, as today, one of the jumps meetings succumbs to the weather. The start of Newton Abbot’s summer season has been postponed until Easter Saturday, leaving one card over the sticks and another on the all-weather as the only action to keep turnover rolling until Aintree opens its doors on Thursday.
Still, as five-runner races go, the £11,500 feature handicap at Southwell this afternoon is about as competitive as they come, with the entire field priced up between 9-4 and 8-1. There is an attractive bet to be had here as well, as Custard The Dragon (4.20) is one of only two previous winners on Fibresand in the field and should be suited to the way the race is likely to develop.
Custard The Dragon’s record here is three wins from four starts and he looked a little unlucky not to maintain a perfect record over track and trip a few weeks ago when he struggled for running room in a 13-strong field. He faced a similar issue at Wolverhampton last time out but still got to within a length of Call Out Loud, who is among his opponents but 3lb worse off.
There should be no such problems in today’s smaller field and the strong pace Custard The Dragon requires also seems likely with both Call Out Loud and Bold Prediction in the lineup. John Mackie’s runner looks like a very worthwhile bet at around 9-4 as a result.
Storm King (5.55) was 33 runs into his racing career before he made his first start on this surface but he has taken to it well and remains fairly weighted on a 2lb higher mark than for his victory over track and trip last month.
At Kempton, meanwhile, Wilberdragon (3.40) may be ready to get off the mark over fences, while Norse Light (5.15) was not far behind the progressive Timeforwest (4.10) at Market Rasen last week and both look likely to continue their good form this afternoon.
Tuesday’s tips
Kempton Park
2.00 Burning Heat 2.30 Laurium 3.05 Laser Light 3.40 Wilberdragon 4.10 Timeforwest 4.45 Denny Kerrell 5.15 Norse Light
Southwell
2.10 Meshardal 2.40 Hart Stopper 3.15 Ada Misobel 3.50 Simply Clever 4.20 Custard The Dragon (nap) 4.55 Dusty Blue 5.25 Eurato 5.55 Storm King (nb)
