UK Horse Racing Tips: Southwell

GARDENER made the perfect stable bow when winning easily over C&D last month and, although the handicapper has reacted by putting the eight-year-old up 10lb, he looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to complete a brace. Toothless makes his chase debut off a career-low mark and Paul Nicholls' inmate may give the selection most to think about, ahead of Jupiter Du Gite.
Prediction : 1st Gardener 2nd Toothless 3rd Jupiter Du Gite

VAL DANCER appeared to be transformed by first-time cheekpieces when romping home at Leicester last month. An 8lb rise will make life tougher for Mel Rowley's gelding, but he won with enough in hand on that occasion to suggest that he can go in again. Haut Folin may have found that his defeat at Market Rasen in November came too soon after his Ffos Las victory 11 days prior and he can be given another chance here. Ali Star Bert makes most appeal of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Val Dancer 2nd Haut Folin 3rd Ali Star Bert

OXYGEN got the better of a progressive rival when completing a double at Plumpton last month. A 6lb rise doesn't appear to be insurmountable for Venetia Williams' charge and a hat-trick could be in the offing. Ballybeen gave another good account of himself when runner-up at Chepstow in December, although the eight-year-old may have to play second fiddle once again. Grozni could chase the duo home.
Prediction : 1st Oxygen 2nd Ballybeen 3rd Grozni

RARE EDITION returned from a 246-day break to finish third in this grade at Doncaster last time and his mark has been left unchanged after that effort. The six-year-old could improve for that outing and prove very difficult to beat. Top-weight Nemean Lion ran with plenty of credit when fifth in the Greatwood at Cheltenham and has to be respected off the same mark, while Call Of The Wild is an intriguing contender taking a step back down in trip.
Prediction : 1st Rare Edition 2nd Nemean Lion 3rd Call Of The Wild

BONTTAY was still going with plenty of zest when she unseated her rider at the second last at Cheltenham last time and this contest represents a drop in grade. The daughter of Westerner looks to have plenty of potential and is difficult to oppose against this level of competition. The one to put up most resistance could be Space Voyage, who was well held in Listed class at Kempton last time. Holly is noted too.
Prediction : 1st Bonttay 2nd Space Voyage 3rd Holly

The Newest One boasts every chance judged on his emphatic Chepstow triumph last month, but WE GOT YOUR BACK, who is having his first start following wind surgery, is preferred. Upped to a more suitable trip as a son of Kayf Tara, we need to ignore his last run when 10th at Aintree and focus instead on his Perth bumper fourth in August. Hey Brother is another to watch out for.
Prediction : 1st We Got Your Back 2nd The Newest One 3rd Hey Brother

Cosmic View represents the in-form Gary Moore yard and could go well, especially if the market speaks in his favour. DANCING HARRY sits at the top of the handicap but his placed form over hurdles gives him every chance in this company, so he looks the likeliest winner assuming Ilary De L'Ecu doesn't take a huge leap forward from her promising Warwick fourth.
Prediction : 1st Dancing Harry 2nd Ilary De LEcu 3rd Cosmic View