UK Horse Racing Tips: Southwell

Damascus Steel bounced back to form when scoring at Kempton earlier in the month and providing he can back that triumph up, he could get into contention off a 3lb higher mark. However, the vote goes to LA PULGA, who only failed to make all by half a length when second over this trip at Newcastle last week and he goes off an unchanged mark. Charlie Johnston's five-year-old may only need to produce a similar performance in order to go one better. Natzor is another to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st La Pulga 2nd Damascus Steel 3rd Natzor

The hat-trick seeking Great Max struck by two lengths at Doncaster on his latest outing and he should make another bold bid off a 7lb higher rating. However, GRAND KARAT looks the way to go. Harry Charlton's three-year-old had Another Investment (second) behind when scoring by two and a half lengths over this track and trip last month, and he has scope for further improvement on only his fourth handicap start. Noodle Mission completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Grand Karat 2nd Great Max 3rd Noodle Mission

Jungle Land shed his maiden tag in commanding style at Redcar in May and the son of Kodiac has since joined the George Boughey stable. He should mount a strong challenge, but he could come out second-best to the in-form HABOOBA. The daughter of Nyquist secured a double at Wolverhampton earlier in the month and a 4lb rise could prove to be on the lenient side, so she gets the vote. Kodiac Thriller is another to take seriously.
Prediction : 1st Habooba 2nd Jungle Land 3rd Kodiac Thriller

Warmonger has been making hay in lower-grade contests, but will find life tougher after being raised 10lb for winning at Kempton, and SHAGPYLE is marginally preferred. The Frankel filly wasn't disgraced in a more competitive race at Newbury last time and is only 1lb higher than when successful at Ffos Las before that. Manxman has placed in all three starts so far this year and the return to this longer trip will suit, while Solent Gateway is expected to go well from the top of the handicap on the back of finishing second at Nottingham.
Prediction : 1st Shagpyle 2nd Warmonger 3rd Manxman

TROPEZ POWER appears to save his best for this track and returns to Southwell for the first time since scoring here in April. He would have finished closer than fourth at Wolverhampton last time with a clear run and gets another chance in an open affair. Oliver Show failed to help his cause by hanging in the closing stages at Yarmouth and he can go close if first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect, while Pjanoo merits a second glance back over today's trip after placing over 7f at Kempton and is just preferred to the progressive Great Acclaim.
Prediction : 1st Tropez Power 2nd Oliver Show 3rd Pjanoo

Fantasy Believer goes well for Saffie Osbourne and another bold showing can be expected off just 3lb higher than his Racing League success at Chepstow three weeks ago. However, this is a deeper race and, on a very different surface, a chance is taken on the less-exposed MIGHTY NEBULA. The selection has shown promise in three previous handicap starts and is an attractive proposition with the step up in trip a potential source for improvement. Dream Harder and Cracksking are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Mighty Nebula 2nd Fantasy Believer 3rd Dream Harder

Several of these have solid credentials, not least the hat-trick seeking Star Of Lady, who is 5lb well-in under a penalty and is an obvious candidate on these terms. Fellow last-time-out winners Nazron, Toca Madera and Tatterstall also command respect in their respective bids for back-to-back successes. However, as a previous C&D winner, last-start Haydock scorer JER BATT could be the way to go given the switch to a synthetic surface raises less of a question regarding the suitability of the surface.
Prediction : 1st Jer Batt 2nd Star Of Lady M 3rd Nazron