DUO AIM FOR SOUTHWELL DOMINATION

12:45 Southwell

One less than the scheduled five are set to go to post in the opener at Southwell where we’re presented with a five furlong handicap sprint. Here at Southwell previous course form is a great plus and with a course and distance win under his belt San Juan ticks plenty of boxes. The Shaun Keightley trained four year old claimed his debut career victory here last month and has only gone up 1lb for that success. Jockey Josephine Gordon is set for the ride and aims to make it another win onboard here.

Obviously with back to back wins Comeatchoo demands upmost respect but based on two previous starts at Southwell doesn’t fill me with upmost confidence having never finished in the first half on both occasions. Probably the most likely favourite but I’m happy to take on Phil McEntee’s runner.

SAN JUAN (WIN)

14:45 Southwell

Although possibly a tad harsh on the other two runners it’s easy to see this quintet as purely a three runner race. No doubt I’ll be made to eat my words but I just cannot see a case to be made for either Niven or Luduamf.

Top weight Atomic Jack is a bit of an unknown quantity. The six year olds record on the all-weather reads well and with a recent win under National Hunt rules should be primed to go well again however his biggest success had all come at Lingfield and without being tested on this sort of surface may struggle.

The biggest danger comes in the form of former course winner Bill Cody who has a great record at Southwell having never finished outside of the top four in all starts here.

With an equally impressive course record however is Be My Sea who has also failed to finish out of the top four here. Now at a mark below his last course success, I fancy the race veteran to go one better than last time.

BE MY SEA (WIN)

written by Rory Paddock