PADDOCKS PATENT (MONDAY)

12:10 Southwell The start of today’s action comes from the midlands with an Amateur Riders’ handicap that opens the card from Southwell. There’s very few amateur riders that receive such high acclaim from their professional counterparts but Serena Brotherton has been seen by many as having the credentials to make it in the paid ranks. Never the less she has maintained her amateur status and sits onboard Our Little Sister. Hughie Morrison has had plenty of great horses at his disposal over his illustrious career and to train the winner of a race like this is way within his ability. Despite being a maiden this four year old has enough in the locker to go close and if she can act well on this surface can do well today. The biggest threat to our selection looks to come in the form of previous course victor Canadian Diamond. A win at Kempton, over today’s trip, last time out reads well however at the ripe old age of 10 looks a tough ask. Our Little Sister (E/W if 9/2+)

15:00 Ayr A trip all the way up to Scotland is in order for our second pick of the day. It may be an obvious selection but it looks like Casual Cavalier will take a lot of beating. The ultra consistent runner may have only won once in his twelve race career but he hasn’t finished outside of the top four in his last seven outings. Jockey Brian Hughes has a handful of good rides and is a jockey that often dominates northern meetings such as this. Previous course victor Clan Chief could post a threat but a return to form is drastically needed however if returning to his best could give the favourite something to think about. Casual Cavalier (WIN)

15:40 Southwell We end today’s trio of selections with a trip back to the all-weather where the phrase “horses for courses” doesn’t ring more true than here at Southwell. Finding a horse that goes well at the course is imperative and it’s safe to say that Basingstoke will relish todays conditions. With three wins and a fourth placed finish in just four starts over todays course and distance should stand him in great stead. Despite being aged eight and near the tail end of his career he’s still got enough ability left to go close in a race of this nature. Drawn in stall 2 will aid his chances as will the eye-catching booking of top all-weather jockey Luke Morris. Would be disappointing not to see him go close off a decent handicap mark. Of the remaining runners Essenaitch has seen plenty of support in the betting but I couldn’t be overly confident backing a favourite who’s never ran at Southwell before and other than his maiden success has only ever won a three horse race. Coming in at much bigger prices (roughly around the 25/1 mark for both) Dr Red Eye and De Lesseps, despite being nine years of age, have decent course form and have enough to sneak a place at big odds. Basingstoke (E/W if 9/2+)