The racing boffins at Timeform are keen on Huckleberry Sting in the 16:25.
Timeform’s Southwell betting tips
14:20 – Hot Rod Lincoln
14:55 – He Knows Better
15:25 – Midnight Jukebox
15:55 – Big Cadillac
16:25 – Huckleberry Sting
16:55 – Asa
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Nick Scholfield has made a very strong start to his training career and although HOT ROD LINCOLN hasn’t shown much in two hurdle starts this winter, he returns to fences off only 1 lb above the mark he defied on testing ground at Uttoxeter last February and might be worth chancing with Sean Bowen doing the steering for the first time. Top-weight Bank On Frank made a sound start to his chase career when runner-up at Fontwell in November, and has leading claims with Ben Jones likely to provide stronger handling, while Prince Cleni, who is on his last winning mark, has peak fitness to prove but his strong C&D record brings him into the reckoning. You’d be brave to back Good Work win only, but his record (runner-up 14 times), clearly indicates that he’s a viable frame contender.
Talented hold-up performer HE KNOWS BETTER boasts some solid form since switching to fences and, with Sean Bowen taking over in the saddle from brother James, can get his head in front over the larger obstacles now. Disguisedlimit, who, along with Noche Negra and Doyouknowwhatimean, looks likely to ensure this race is run at the decent tempo, is another who has taken pretty well to chasing and is second choice ahead of the Pam Sly-trained William Cody who has shaped of late as if he might appreciate a return to more positive tactics.
This is an interesting bumper. MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX beat the now useful hurdler Soldier Reeves when winning his Irish point last spring and gets the nod to make a successful start to his Rules career. Fellow point winner Smokehouse, Dan Skelton’s new recruit Brecharnon, a Chepstow winner last spring, and Eclat de Marvel, who went off at a single-figure price for his debut in a Cheltenham listed bumper, head the dangers in a race where the betting is likely to provide more clues. On that theme, Tom Lacey won this race with the well-supported Unjeu Royal 12 months ago and any support for newcomer Sea Tempest, a €58,000 brother to the fairly useful chaser Romeo Magico, would look significant.
The sizable BIG CADILLAC – who is fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time here – wasn’t disgraced in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Bristol) at Cheltenham last time and can make it third time lucky over hurdles with his sights lowered. The experienced Olly Murphy pair Pertemps and Zamek have achieved a similar level of form to the selection and ought to be on the premises again, while Nicky Henderson – who currently has the Timeform ‘Hot Trainer’ flag – saddles Blue Run who could take a step forward from his underwhelming Warwick debut. The well-related Double Tiger, who is from the family of Long Run, looks the pick of the remainder now up in trip for his hurdling bow.
A tricky puzzle to solve, but it might be worth chancing Tom Ellis handicap newcomer HUCKLEBERRY STING, with confidence in his chance increased should the betting vibes be strong for a horse who showed a modicum of ability for Dan Skelton. Jaffa Cake and Kastellion, who have both been brought along very steadily to date, are others who have the potential for better now handicapping for the first time. Despite the headgear being left off, Heaven Smart is also respected back hurdling after some good efforts over fences since joining Laura Morgan.
16:55 – Asa
The Philip Kirby-trained ASA bolted up by 27 lengths in this last year off 5 lb lower so, having responded well to the reapplication of cheekpieces of late, looks more than capable of following up having looked as good as ever when winning over fences from this handicap mark at Catterick recently. Queen of Steel produced a career-best effort when scoring at Leicester and, despite this 5 lb higher mark and lack of a jockey’s claim, is considered next best ahead of bottom-weight Lady Harriett who really should be capableof featuring prominently from this sort of mark. C&D winner Innisfree Lass didn’t jump well when well held behind Asa last time, but is another who is handicapped to strike if able to bounce back.
Timeform’s Southwell betting tips
14:20 – Hot Rod Lincoln
14:55 – He Knows Better
15:25 – Midnight Jukebox
15:55 – Big Cadillac
16:25 – Huckleberry Sting
16:55 – Asa
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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