UK Horse Racing Tips: Southwell

HOW IMPRESSIVE may have just failed in his hat-trick bid at Chelmsford, but the winner lost little in defeat a week later and Hugo Palmer's five-year-old will appreciate the step back up to 7f. Grant Wood and Thunder Roar are the ones on three-timers now, with the former's C&D/Newcastle brace coming more recently. Mountain Warrior took his Southwell record to two from two last time so has to enter the equation, and Legal Reform is another very much at home here.
Prediction : 1st How Impressive 2nd Grant Wood 3rd Mountain Warrior

After creating a striking impression on his Newcastle debut, African Spirit acquitted himself quite well when pitched into a 100k event at York. He is an obvious contender, but BRAVO ZULU looked quite a smart prospect when accounting for a subsequent winner with ease at Kempton and he is just preferred. The form of Serengeti Sunrise's Wolverhampton triumph isn't up to much, but he still won well. Duke Wellington and Red Scotch should be able to build on decent introductions.
Prediction : 1st Bravo Zulu 2nd African Spirit 3rd Serengeti Sunrise

Despite showing little to nothing in three novice events, PRINCE ERIC was sent off a warm order on his return at Lingfield and duly obliged. Whether the improvement was the result of a gelding operation, the step into handicap company, or both, James Ferguson's charge shaped like he has plenty of scope for further progression. Good Morning Alex has won three of his last four, and Mulciber two of his last three, so this won't be easy. Throw Body Parts, Due Consideration and Eastern Dream into the mix too.
Prediction : 1st Prince Eric 2nd Good Morning Alex 3rd Mulciber

JUST A SPARK continues to go from strength to strength and a mere 2lb rise for her most recent success at Kempton may not be enough to prevent her from landing the four-timer. That may be at the main expense of Cinque Verde, who arrives on a hat-trick but must prove herself over this distance. Chelmsford runner-up Sixties Chic and Quandary have the form to get involved as well.
Prediction : 1st Just A Spark 2nd Cinque Verde 3rd Sixties Chic

A comfortable winner over C&D last time out, VALENTINKA should have plenty more to come off a 5lb higher mark and Owen Lewis' 7lb claim is another big plus as he aims to land a fourth career victory. A winner of two of his last four starts, Cephalus has been in excellent form of late and must enter calculations, along with Newcastle second King Of York and Soames Forsyte.
Prediction : 1st Valentinka 2nd Cephalus 3rd King Of York

STOIC SYD is in the form of his life at present and the drop in trip should not inconvenience as he looks to land the hat-trick for his in-form connections. The son of Zoffany should have too much for the capable Urban Dandy and Porfin, who has dropped to a mark 3lb lower then his last win. Not beaten too far when hampered over C&D last time out, Locked N' Loaded is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Stoic Syd 2nd Porfin 3rd Urban Dandy

HEERATHETRACK continued his good spell of form when finishing a close-up third at Kempton four days ago, having raced freely. Mark Usher's charge remains competitively handicapped judged on past exploits, though, and he would not need much more to regain the winning thread this evening. Kodi Noir has been running with more credit than his form figures would suggest and he is the main danger, while Balqaa might prove to be the best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Heerathetrack 2nd Kodi Noir 3rd Balqaa

A wide open heat in which many will fancy their chances, so only a tentative vote can go to NOLTON CROSS. It was a warm class 2 in which the son of Dark Angel contested last month, when he finished fourth. Down in class and from an unchanged mark, he ought to be more than capable of mounting a stern challenge. Andaleep has won two of his last three starts and a 3lb rise for the latest of those, which came over this C&D, looks fair. Others to note include True Courage, Skye Breeze and Haku.
Prediction : 1st Nolton Cross 2nd Andaleep 3rd Haku