17:30 Southwell

Leg 1 Selections: Legal Reform, Final Frontier, Old News 

LEGEL REFORM was badly in need of his return here last time and this race should reveal more with his fitness now assured. He is only three pounds higher than when winning over course-and-distance back in February 2021 and could go well at large odds in the opener in leg 1. 

FINAL FRONTIER sneaks into this off bottom-weight and was only touched off by half-a-length over track and trip on his penultimate start off a one pound lower mark. He is drawn well in stall five plus the in-form Luke Morris takes the ride. He should be competitive. 

OLD NEWS is back on his last winning mark and hasn’t been beaten far in his last three starts. I also recognise he has plenty of wins and placed efforts to his name off higher marks in the past as well and is down to a career-low mark. From a good draw in stall two, he has sound claims. 

18:00 Southwell

Leg 2 Selections: Atrafan, Hachert

ATRAFAN is a dual course-and-distance winner and having finished runner-up at Newcastle on his two previous starts, he powered to success over track and trip six days ago. He generally saves his best form for around this time of year, so he could be set to repeat last week’s victory here under Connor Beasley in leg 2. 

HACHERT doesn’t win often but it seems only a matter of time before he gets his head in front as he only found one too good over course-and-distance two starts ago. He has made the frame off this mark or higher seven times in his career and has the assistance of Luke Morris in the saddle this time, so this six-year-old seems sure to be bang in-contention here. 

18:30 Southwell

Leg 3 Selections: Tathmeen, Triggered 

TATHMEEN was given a beautiful ride by Harry Russell to win with any amount in hand over course-and-distance seven days ago and remains well-treated based on previous exploits off tougher marks against higher-rated opponents. He should get a nice pace to aim at and his trainer has been amongst the winners in recent months too. He easily makes the shortlist. 

TRIGGERED isn’t the force of old but his trainer and jockey are in red-hot form of late and this nine-year-old has been runner-up in two of his last three starts, including at this course over this distance back in December. Billy claims five pounds and his mount is 14 pounds below his last winning mark, so he could be about to strike. 

19:00 Southwell

Leg 4 Selections: Kim Wexler, May Sonic 

KIM WEXLER absolutely destroyed her opponents over course-and-distance last time and has a good chance to confirm the form with the runner-up, who she meets on one pound better terms with Billy’s claim taken into account. If she can get a good start again, it is hard to see her out of the frame in leg 4. 

MAY SONIC hasn’t been at his best of late but he has a lot of speed, so it is interesting to see connections take aim at this shorter distance, which could be what he needs. He is 10 pounds below his last winning mark, which came in a higher grade event, and is drawn well in stall 1 too. If back to something near his best, he could make an impact at generous odds here. 

19:30 Southwell

Leg 5 Selections: Midnight Train, Central City

MIDNIGHT TRAIN would have finished closer than sixth at this course last time without being hampered but, essentially, the handicapper has kept him on the same mark here. Nicky Henderson’s charge will be fitted with first-time cheekpieces and connections have booked Rossa Ryan to ride. He might be worth taking a chance on here in leg 5. 

CENTRAL CITY won three times last year and has won at this course as well. This eight-year-old takes a big drop in distance and is only a pound higher than when winning here in September. He remains well-handicapped based on historical form and could sneak into the picture at large odds with a seven pound claimer in the saddle. 

20:00 Southwell

Leg 6 Selections: Hazel Bear, Third Batch

I have liked the way HAZEL BEAR has kept on strongly to be on the premises in both her starts to date and each piece of form has some substance. She is likely to improve from those couple of promising displays and is effectively drawn well in stall two here. She should be difficult to keep out of the frame and is therefore one of two choices in leg 6. 

THIRD BATCH left her previous form behind when improving for the step up in distance to finish second at Lingfield last time and was unlucky not to get to the winner having finished with a flourish. Her stable is going well and is set to carry a tiny weight with her claimer taking off three pounds, so she is feared most in the finale.