Top pundit Andy Holding is on hand with his best bets from the afternoon's action.
2.00 Southwell
CROSSE FIRE (NAP) (best price 5-2) has cut a largely frustrating figure since his victory over today’s C&D this time last year, but he has run some fine races in defeat of late and today’s contest represents a tremendous chance for Scott Dixon’s gelding to regain the winning thread. At his best when allowed to run over the straight 5f on the Fibresand, the son of Monsieur Bond posted a smart speed figure when runner-up to the well-handicapped Escalating here 14 days ago and given that there was some big names in behind him that day such as Lady Nayef, Captain Lars and Dungannon, it’s clear that he ran up to a very high standard that afternoon. Dropping down two levels into Class 5 company today, the five-year-old should be more at ease with the kind of opposition he faces and providing he breaks well enough and gets himself into a good position down the middle, there can’t be too excuses if he doesn’t deliver the goods.
3.30 Southwell
In what looks to be a viciously-competitive handicap with plenty of course regulars holding strong claims, VIVAT REX (best price 22-1) makes the most appeal at the prices. A winner on his first outing on Fibresand two years ago when trained by Alan Bailey, the son of Fastnet Rock cemented his love for the surface by scoring on his last start for old connections at the turn of the year and although he’s given away his unbeaten record in two subsequent outings, it’s not as if he’s taken a massive backward step in defeat. His third behind the rapidly-improving Mithqaal qualifies as a smart effort on the figures and even though he only managed third in a claimer here last time, the slow early pace and being trapped down on the curb didn’t do him any favours. Back into a big-field handicap scene where they are likely to go a good gallop, Conor Dore’s charge should be more at ease, and with form figures of 1133 at the track backed up with some smart speed figures, it makes no sense why he’s been chalked up as one of the outsiders of the field at 22-1.
3.40 Newcastle
Although yet to win this season, CARALINE (best price 2-1) has been gradually getting closer with each outing and following her best effort over today’s C&D last time out, she looks set to return to winning ways. Despite staying on strongly in the latter stages, Micky Hammond’s inmate just couldn’t quite reel back Gold Opera – who can be a very tough horse to pass when he’s on-song – but that was a definite step in the right direction from a mare who rattled off a four-timer under very testing conditions last season.
