Andy looks to better his two winners from yesterday with four fancies.
12.20 Southwell
CHARLIE’S DREAMER (best price 6-1) was hugely unlucky to bump into a horse of the standard of Abraj Dubai on fibresand debut, but take the impressive winner away and Michael Appleby’s inmate has run up to a pretty fair level. Well away and into a nice rhythm early, the daughter of Equiano was in the perfect position as the field turned for home, but she just simply had no answers up against a colt who was capable of running 36.2 for the last three furlongs without coming off the bridle.
Although has could have done with a better draw (box one usually a tricky one to overcome), a decent break and a bit of clear water and Jane Elliot will hopefully be able to shift her mount off the curb and if so, there’s a good chance the three-year-old filly can reward solid each-way support.
13.50 Southwell
Although TREATY OF ROME (best price 11-1) has performed well over the minimum trip, he always seems more comfortable over 6f and he rates decent bet at the prices to put that theory to the test. A slow break and a poor track position here last time over 5f meant Derek Shaw’s charge was never likely to recover and although he never landed a meaningful blow, he did stay on quite promisingly to suggest a move up in distance should bring about a more positive result. Form figures of 224113 over today’s C&D back up that view and there’s simply no way he should be a 11-1 chance on the pick of his very best form.
14.10 Plumpton
Both Solomon Grey and Knockanuss have run to a decent level so far to date, but if there is to be an interloper, it might turn out to be WHAT’S OCCURING (best price 15-2) on his hurdling debut. Given he was a 40-1 chance on debut at Newbury, no great shakes were clearly expected of Oliver Sherwood’s inmate, but in keeping on takingly to finish a not-knocked-about fifth, he ran way above market expectations. Although the race in question appeared an ordinary bumper by the track standards at first glance, the likes of Don’t Ask and Royal Magic have gone on to prove the value of the form subsequently (both won novice hurdles since), so providing the son of Rail Link brings a decent technique to the table first time up, he has a fair chance of hitting the frame at the very least.
14.50 Southwell
BOLD SPIRIT (NAP) (best price 15-8) ran with a great deal of credit in a much better race than this three days ago and a repeat of that effort should make Declan Carroll’s difficult to beat on his return visit to the east Midland venue. A low draw meant he was pinned down around the inside for much of the first part of the race and then to add insult to injury, he got badly hampered in the run just as he was making a run at a vital stage. Unable to recover and go with the front pair who were trapping along at a decent pace for the grade in the latter stages, he did, however, keep on well enough to suggest he might have been a bigger player with a clearer run and as today’s contest represents a full class drop, it would be disappointing if the son of Invincible Spirit doesn’t take full advantage with a better rub of the green this afternoon.
