UK Horse Racing Tips: Southwell

Sir Benedict has been the most consistent of these recently, which can count for plenty at this level, but although he should go close, HAVIN A FLYER might have the edge. Rebecca Menzies' filly has yet to score from 18 attempts, but there have been some mildly encouraging signs in a pair of Catterick runs. She drops into classified company and, perhaps crucially, receives a handy weight-for-age allowance. Desert Champion is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Havin A Flyer 2nd Sir Benedict 3rd Desert Champion

Fantasy Obsessor deserves a change of luck having struck the woodwork the last twice, but she might have to settle for silver again because LIFE AFTER LOVE could still have more in her locker. Ollie Sangster's filly notched up a brace of C&D wins before running with credit on her turf debut. She's bound to be happier back on an artificial surface, though, and is taken to resume her progress. Startling could also have a say.
Prediction : 1st Life After Love 2nd Fantasy Obsessor 3rd Startling

MOUNTBATTEN has the profile of a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver and is fancied to make a winning handicap debut. The son of Japan fetched 140,000 euros as a yearling, but failed to make any return in a trio of juvenile appearances. However, he's a half-brother to German Oaks heroine Miss Yoda and looks sure to prove better than an opening mark of 60, especially now sent over a more suitable trip. Spirit Dreamer showed up well for a long way in a Yarmouth match and can get the better of Echo Valley for second.
Prediction : 1st Mountbatten 2nd Spirit Dreamer 3rd Echo Valley

Centigrade looked a really smart type when running away with a Newbury novice stakes in October 2024, but might be best watched on his return from 601 days off the track and giving weight away to some potentially decent three-year-olds. Andrew Balding saddles two and SLALOM makes a bit more appeal than Spectical on the basis that he shaped as though he'd come forward markedly from his Kempton introduction when a staying-on third over 7f.
Prediction : 1st Slalom 2nd Spectical 3rd Centigrade

STAR OF MALI showed a lot more at Wolverhampton than he did at Southwell two starts ago and if arriving in a similar mood to that third-placed effort at the Midlands venue, he ought to go very close in race like this. Ribenska is better judged on her Southwell second rather than her latest Kempton performance, while Silver Trumpet isn't without a squeak on his best form.
Prediction : 1st Star Of Mali 2nd Ribenska 3rd Silver Trumpet

TOWN QUEEN has filled second place in all three starts to date and this appears to be an ideal opportunity for the daughter of Blue Point to go one better. Planet Seeker showed plenty of ability as a juvenile, including when Group 3-placed at Salisbury, and is an obvious threat. Any market support for Star Trail or Star Velocity would have to be noted.
Prediction : 1st Town Queen 2nd Planet Seeker 3rd Star Trail

A chance can be taken on GAURDMAN, who lacks a recent run but won at Haydock when last seen in September. An opening mark of 83 is stiff enough, but Roger Varian's colt is likely to have more improvement left to come. Blue Orbit is a player based on the pick of his form, while similar comments apply to Up The Agenda.
Prediction : 1st Gaurdman 2nd Blue Orbit 3rd Up The Agenda