UK Horse Racing Tips: Southwell

Stepney Causeway is yet to hit the heights over fences after 11 starts without success but, if he could repeat his hurdling form over the larger obstacles, he is undoubtedly well handicapped off this mark. AL ZARAQAAN was also decent enough over hurdles, but he is now rated higher having won his only chase at Cartmel despite taking a while to get into a rhythm. If he improves as hoped, he may be able to give weight away all round, leaving Donnie Azoff to follow them home.
Prediction : 1st Al Zaraqaan 2nd Stepney Causeway 3rd Donnie Azoff

Shar Whats Therush looks interesting on his debut for Dr Richard Newland, who also owns the gelding, but he needs to find more judged on his fences form in Ireland. Prince Cleni was beaten less than a length on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter and warrants plenty of respect, but TOUCH TIGHT may have the edge. Unseated on his only chase effort under Rules in January 2022, he has won two point-to-points since then and deserves another chance at this level.
Prediction : 1st Touch Tight 2nd Prince Cleni 3rd Shar Whats Therush

Captain Ivan deserves a second look with a course and distance win here last September, but he races off 6lb higher now and is having his first start since an acceptable third in late December. CHESS PLAYER has two wins from four starts over fences including last month at Huntingdon and, although he made mistakes late on that day, he may do better if produced at the last minute. First Angel and Madiba Passion are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Chess Player 2nd Captain Ivan 3rd First Angel

SHANDANCER was only narrowly denied over 2m6f at Stratford last month, but he was badly hampered by a faller at the final flight on that occasion and the application of blinkers can induce further improvement into Amy Murphy's six-year-old. Faded Fantasy rates the selection's biggest threat following a fair second over an extended 2m at Bangor most recently, while his unexposed stablemate Jimmy Boum is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Shandancer 2nd Faded Fantasy 3rd Jimmy Boum

Supporters of Midnight Gold will be pleased to see Harry Cobden keeps the ride, especially given the pair only just lost out over an extended 2m5f at Fontwell most recently. However, the daughter of Fame And Glory shaped as though she could need a stiffer stamina test on that occasion, so MALINA OCARINA rates the one to beat. She can defy a 5lb raised mark following a five-length success over C&D last month and is taken to get the better of Faerie Cutlass, who has gone up 3lb following a staying-on success at Worcester.
Prediction : 1st Malina Ocarina 2nd Faerie Cutlass 3rd Midnight Gold

NADIM found only the progressive Pak Army too strong on his handicap debut at Stratford last Saturday and Milton Harris' four-year-old rates as the one to beat off only 3lb higher. Riggsby looks to be on a fair opening mark on his first foray into this sphere and he can't be taken lightly having undergone a wind operation since placing third at Wetherby in March. Last month's C&D runner-up Ez Tiger completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Nadim 2nd Riggsby 3rd Ez Tiger

BLUE SANS was unable to justify strong support on his stable debut at Worcester last month, nevertheless, the Fergal O'Brien-trained mare may travel more kindly now up in distance and it's too soon to be writing her off. Having A Barney arrives in better form than most and must enter calculations, while Roscoe Tara is another who could improve for this stiffer test and can't be discounted either.
Prediction : 1st Blue Sans 2nd Having A Barney 3rd Roscoe Tara