Tag: Southwell

Deuce Again a topical tip at Southwell

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Leicester and Wetherby both face early morning inspections on Tuesday to see if racing can go ahead. Much of the UK was in the grip of freezing conditions on Monday so I’ve decided to study the all-weather at Southwell where racing is guaranteed.

There are a couple of decent handicaps on the card, starting with the five-furlong dash at 2.30. The one I like here is Zac Brown who shoulders a 6lbs penalty for his impressive win on the opening day at Chelmsford City.

The four-year-old son of Kodiac wore a hood for the first time that day and settled nicely in the hands of Graham Gibbons. Victory was never in doubt once he delivered his challenge at the furlong pole, drawing three and a quarter lengths clear of It Must Be Faith.

He beat Dissent by three lengths at Wolverhampton in November but refused to settle next time when only fourth behind Secondo. The hood seems to have made all the difference and he can track the leaders before arriving late.

The pace is almost certain to be set by Michael Appleby’s Scarborough who beat the in-form Extreme Supreme here a week ago. The four-year-old daughter of Dandy Man bounced out of the stalls and was never headed. She will be the target for Zac Brown in the closing stages.

My second selection is the topically-named Deuce Again, trained by John Gosden. Southwell may be a long way from the Australian Open in Melbourne but this filly could at least cheer up the freezing punters on this side of the globe. She is a beautifully bred daughter of Dubawi and Gosden will be eyeing some black type for her at some stage.

She showed plenty of promise in two decent maiden races at Newbury last summer, notably when third to the more-experienced Saab Almanal and Smiling Stranger over a mile and a quarter. She could not have won any easier than she did here last time, her rider Robert Havlin risking a serious neck injury with some extravagant looks over his shoulder in the home straight.

The handicapper has given her a mark of 84 but that can only be based on guesswork. Godolphin’s Solidarity would be an obvious threat but you would have to discard his poor effort when trailing home last on his most recent outing.

Zac Brown 2.30 @5-2 Paddy Power

Deuce Again 3.05 @7-4 Ladbrokes

Southwell Tuesday Preview

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We managed a small profit from the opening day at Chelmsford City (formerly known as Great Leighs) and the general consensus was that it was a fair racing surface. That is good news for flat racing fans who like a flutter on the all-weather through the long winter months.

The action on the sand switches to Southwell on Tuesday and a six-race card featuring a host of familiar names. In the opening race I’m going to take a chance on Novalist who recorded back-to-back victories here before getting trailing in a disappointing sixth last time.

For reasons known only to connections, he raced without his usual blinkers that day and was always struggling. He was also tackling beyond a mile for the first time. He has the headgear restored on Tuesday and we will know our fate within a furlong or so. The main danger is probably the top weight, Queen Of Skies. She is another course winner and has been very consistent for the Appleby stable.

The second race on the card features a re-match between Eium Mac and General Tufto. Last week we sided with the former but he was just run out of it in the final furlong by the ten-year-old. I just wonder whether Raul Da Silva will try to delay his challenge a little longer this time. He was out in front from the two-furlong pole last time and now has a 6lbs pull with General Tufto.

The early money appears to be for Sleet who lost any chance when squeezed out at the start last time. You could make a case for him here but he is yet to win in ten starts and I’m happy to take him on at odds of around 5-2.

Hayley Turner will be a popular choice in the third race aboard Excelling Oscar. He is yet another course and distance winner and holds Never Easy on recent form. There are bits of form that tie in here with Bannister Bell and I’m going to side with More Drama, trained by Sylvester Kirk. She ran well in a very competitive race won by Splash Of Verve at Wolverhampton before fading into midfield at Kempton.

My final bet of the day is for Extreme Supreme in the five-furlong dash. He made his debut at Royal Ascot last summer and he obviously wasn’t up to that class. However, he has steadily improved with racing and is on a hat-trick over course and distance. He wasn’t knocked around last time and could be up to defying a 6lbs rise for Derek Shaw and Patrick Mathers.

Novalist 1.15 @6-1 Ladbrokes

Eium Mac 1.45 @5-2 Bet365

More Drama 2.15 @7-1 Bet365

Extreme Supreme 3.25 @4-1 Paddy Power

Southwell Tuesday Preview

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It’s a relatively quiet week on the racing front after the big Christmas and New Year meetings. Southwell keeps interest ticking over for flat racing fans with a seven-race card on Tuesday and I have been delving into the all-weather form in the hope of finding a winner or two.

My regular followers will know that Trainer William Haggas has done us a few good turns in the past and he sends a couple north tomorrow, both with leading chances. Toofeeg is fitted with blinkers in the handicap at 1.50 as he goes for his first win in six attempts. He jinked and caused his rider to lose an iron when very disappointing here in November and ran a lot better last time behind Noro Lim. He is bred to be useful, being by Approve out of a Zafonic mare, and the blinkers will hopefully bring about some improvement.

The early money has been for Lysander The Greek but it is hard to see why. I can only think that considerable improvement is expected as he steps up to a mile for the first time but he represents poor value at around 5-1.

Whatever the fate of Toofeeg, Haggas should not return empty-handed as Belahodood looks a safe bet in the 2.50. The four-year-old made a pleasing debut at Kempton when beaten by a decent sort in Made With Love. John Gosden will be aiming higher with the five-length winner and Belahodood was eased once his chance had gone.

Forced Family Fun can get punters off to a good start in the opening handicap. He won easily over hurdles recently and can take advantage of a good handicap mark on the level for John Quinn and Tom Eaves. Hurdles form could again hold the key in the two-mile race at 1.20 and I am siding with Plumpton winner Mariet. Suzy Smith’s Dr Fong mare has shown precious little on the flat before but she had run well at Fontwell prior to her Plumpton win and is lightly weighted here.

Best Tamayuz is becoming something of a Southwell specialist with three course victories and he can make it four in the 2.20. His biggest threat is Kung Hei Fat Choy but there were no excuses for his defeat last time and Scott Dixon’s four-year-old can score under 5lb claimer Tim Clark.

Lewamy had the race won a long way out at Kempton last time and can follow up for Michael Bell in the 3.20. The early money has been for Boboli Gardens but I’d much rather stick with the proven recent form. Finally, take Raul Da Silva to steer home Eium Mac for a second course and distance victory in the 3.50. He should hold the veteran General Tufto on 3lbs worse terms.

Forced Family Fun 12.50 @15-8 Betbright

Mariet 1.20 @8-1 Paddy Power

Toofeeg 1.50 @7-2 Skybet

Best Tamayuz 2.20 @3-1 BetVictor

Belahodood 2.50 @14-5 Betfair

Lewamy 3.20 @3-1 Paddy Power

Eium Magic 3.50 @7-2 Bet365