Evening Under The Lights
Right then, seven races to get stuck into at Southwell this Wednesday evening, and the floodlights are already casting their glow over the Nottinghamshire all-weather. Standard going tonight — that's the Fibresand cultivated to four inches and given the gallop master treatment. In other words, fair conditions where the best horse on the night should prevail.
It's a proper working man's card this, the sort where you can find a winner if you dig deep enough into the form book. Class 6 apprentice opener, a tidy Class 4 feature, and a novice stakes that could throw up a future star. Nothing flash, but plenty to get your teeth into over a pint and the Southwell racecard.
Feature Race Focus
The £12,000 EBF Novice Stakes at 6:15 catches the eye as tonight's richest prize, but for my money the real heat is in that 5:40 Class 4 handicap. Seven three-year-olds scrapping it out over seven furlongs, and this is where the form students earn their corn.
Gorey Gold sits pretty at the top of the weights on 85, and there's a reason for that — this lad knows his way around here. Course and distance winner already, trained by Jonathan Portman who's been quietly going about his business, and Rob Hornby in the saddle. That's a combination that demands respect.
But don't sleep on Artanis from the George Boughey yard. Rated 80 and with Billy Loughnane doing the steering — that's a partnership that's been clicking lately. Course winner too, which on this surface is worth its weight in gold. The Fibresand can be a law unto itself, and horses that handle it tend to keep handling it.
Dagger Strike brings Hollie Doyle into the mix, and you ignore her at your peril. Archie Watson's charge is another course winner, rated 79, and dropping back to seven furlongs might just be the key. Sometimes it's not about going further, it's about going faster.
Apprentice Angle
The opener at 5:05 is one of those apprentice handicaps that can throw up a surprise or two. Nine runners, all carrying similar weights, and this is where the claiming allowances really come into play.
Charlatan for David Simcock catches my eye — Taryn Langley takes off a handy 7lbs, and this six-year-old has been thereabouts in similar company. Course winner too, which as I keep banging on about, matters here.
But keep an eye on Tam Lin. Anthony Carson doesn't have many runners, but when he does send one it's usually ready. Donagh Murphy claims 5lbs, and at the weights this four-year-old could be overpriced.
River Wharfe brings experience to the table — eight years old and still scrapping. Myla Coppins claims a useful 7lbs, and Tony Carroll's horses have been running with credit lately. Sometimes the old warriors know exactly what they're doing.
Novice Stakes Intrigue
That 6:15 novice stakes over a mile and four is fascinating precisely because none of these have ratings yet. It's a proper guessing game, but there are clues if you know where to look.
Into The Light represents the Charlie Appleby juggernaut, and when Godolphin send one to Southwell on a Wednesday evening, they usually mean business. Billy Loughnane wouldn't be here unless he fancied his chances.
Starship Trooper from Andrew Balding is another that demands attention. The Kingsclere handler doesn't mess about with his three-year-olds, and Callum Hutchinson has been riding with confidence. Sometimes the name tells you everything — this one sounds like he's built for a fight.
Don't overlook Galistra either. Ralph Beckett knows how to place his horses, and Hector Crouch has been among the winners lately. At this trip, stamina becomes the question, and Beckett's horses usually stay all day.
Late Card Value
The evening closes with a couple of Class 6 handicaps that could provide some value for the patient punter. That 7:45 contest over a mile and four looks wide open — eight runners with barely a stone between top and bottom weight.
Shipshape tops the list for Bernard Llewellyn, and this four-year-old has been consistent without winning. Sometimes that's exactly the profile you want — the horse that keeps knocking on the door eventually gets it opened.
In the finale, Goldmoyne brings solid course form to the table. Jack Callan knows his way around here, and James Owen's six-year-old has been running honest races. At 75 he's well-handicapped if the mood takes him.
Packetofbiscuits — and yes, that's really his name — represents John Mackie with P.J. McDonald aboard. Another course and distance winner, which on nights like this can be the difference between collecting and walking home empty-handed.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
Right, decision time. In the feature race, I'm siding with Gorey Gold in that 5:40 Class 4. Course form, top jockey, and a rating that suggests he's better than this grade when right. The price might be short, but sometimes you have to back the best horse in the race.
For a bit of value, Artanis in the same race appeals at likely bigger odds. Billy Loughnane is riding everything that moves at the moment, and George Boughey's three-year-olds usually improve with racing.
In the novice stakes, Into The Light gets the nod. Charlie Appleby doesn't send his horses on holiday to Southwell — they come here to win, and this one has the breeding to suggest he'll appreciate the step up in trip.
For the late punters, keep Goldmoyne on your side in the finale. Course form, solid jockey booking, and a rating that gives him every chance if he brings his A-game.
Remember, it's Southwell on a Wednesday night — expect the unexpected, back the ones with course form, and don't be afraid to take a chance on the outsiders. Sometimes they're the ones that make the evening worthwhile.
