Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Southwell

Leg 1 Selections: Brave Display, Defence Treaty, Shorts On 

This evening’s card at Southwell looks like a minefield and the opener couldn’t be any more difficult. However, BRAVE DISPLAY needed a stronger gallop last week to be seen to best effect but ran well to finish fourth and he has generally been consistent on the all-weather. He remains six pounds above his last winning mark but should remain competitive. 

A couple of others to consider include DEFENCE TREATY, who has tasted success over this course-and-distance from a much higher mark and is drawn well in stall two. He is down to a career-low mark of 55 and could go well on his stable debut for Nigel Twiston-Davies, while SHORTS ON won off a nine pounds higher mark here last year and completes the shortlist. 

Leg 2 Selections: Diamond Jill, Shabs

Another race that is hard to get to grips with but I am interested in an outsider in the form of DIAMOND JILL, who could run reasonably better than her odds imply here. She was slightly off the boil at Wolverhampton last-time-out but she is five pounds below her last successful mark and the combination of David Probert and drop in trip could see an improved display in leg 2. 

SHABS has yet to win after 16 starts on the Flat but he has gone close on several occasions now and recorded back-to-back seconds towards the end of last year. He didn’t appear to find much under pressure last time having travelled well but this race is no harder and he could make his presence felt if they go at a good clip. 

Leg 3 Selections: Harry With Style, Ginny Jo 

In leg 3, HARRY WITH STYLE has a good chance to gain a first career success. He ran his best race to date when a close-up third here last time and the handicapper has left his mark unaltered for this race. If he can match that form back over this longer trip, he should have a leading role to play in the outcome of this weak contest.

GINNY JO is a filly improving with each start and was right in behind Harry With Style when fourth here last time and is also open to further improvement, especially over this longer trip. I think she has a really strong chance of reversing that form off the exact same mark here. 

Leg 4 Selections: Daytona Lady, Lady Nagin

This race should be run at some speed. If DAYTONA LADY can return to the form of her Chelmsford debut success, she would have a decent chance in this. She has a lot of early speed and while she was down the field last time, a repeat of her two third-placed efforts would give her sound claims against these. 

LADY NAGIN burnt off her rivals when dominating her field over course-and-distance when last spotted from the front. She now has her attention switched to handicaps and a mark of 68 might have underestimated her. She has to be considered as one of the major contenders with more to offer and being one of only two last-time-out winners.  

Leg 5 Selections: Sax Appeal

This race should be a bit more straightforward as SAX APPEAL, who forged well clear of his rivals, including Biscoff Joe over track and trip last month, has a great chance to add to that win here. This son of the high-class Saxon Warrior appreciated the step up in trip and, in the hope stall 10 doesn’t prove to be an issue, he can follow up under the guidance of Joe Fanning. 

Leg 6 Selections: Roscioli, Sid’s Annie 

A really wide-open race for leg 6 but ROSCIOLI has shaped as though he might be returning to form the last three times. Andrew Balding’e charge last won off a mark of 82 and he’s fallen to a dangerous-looking mark of 69 at present. I think he has a good shout of making the frame from an ideal draw in stall 1. 

SID’S ANNIE, also drawn well in stall 2, has course-winning form and has kept on well the last two times to suggest this longer trip might bring about improvement. This filly must have valid claims from a pound lower mark than last time but her hold-up style of racing ensures she will need the rub-of-the-green.