Andy Holding has two picks at Southwell, including a 2pt NAP.
13.00 Southwell
ANOTHER CRICK (NAP) (best price 5-2) was just an average hurdler, but that mediocrity looks set to change on the evidence of his first outing over fences and he’s fancied to finally get off the mark at the eleventh time of asking.
Having his chasing debut at Chepstow off the back of a 184-day break, Noel Williams’ gelding shaped really well in an ultra-competitive contest and if he hadn’t have pecked badly on landing after jumping the last at the Welsh track, he may have overhauled the eventual winner, Awake At Midnight.
The good thing about that effort, however, was his jumping technique held up nicely in the heat of a well-run handicap (very quick final circuit) and with today’s contest a lot less competitive in terms of depth, the son of Arcadio has a decent chance of going one place better with a clear round.
14.30 Southwell
ROUGE VIF (best price 10-3) took a big step forward from his hurdling debut when a creditable runner-up at Hereford last time out and today’s contest provides him with a decent opportunity for him to get off the mark for the season.
Stuck in the heavy ground on his opening bow at Newton Abbot, the better conditions enabled Harry Whittington’s four-year-old to perform to a higher level at the Midland venue and if it wasn’t for the fact that he was a little keen in the early stages 21 days ago, he might have had enough lead left in his pencil to withstand the late thrust of Newtown Boy after the last.
As he also tended to lug to the left in the closing stages, racing anti-clockwise should hopefully iron out that slight issue and with the hood on for the first time to curb his enthusiasm in the early exchanges, the son of Sageburg makes plenty of appeal at the morning prices.
