Another blank drawn from the two yesterday, continuing a bit of a timid time of it. Titian Blue looked likely to be going mighty close when he came bursting through to lead at a crucial stage, but he emptied very quickly and was duly swallowed. That looked a fitness thing, looking very likely to be winning races soon enough and is one I’d back again.
The weather has put paid to Chepstow, Plumpton and Naas today, so we’re left with the one All Weather card at Southwell. It’s not the worst card by any means, but it’s not an overly attractive betting card.
I’ve chanced one selection which stood out to me at the prices. If I was going to the races and wanted a play, I’d stick with the direction of the selection and just play the five Jim Goldie runners across the card. Runners at 18/1, 8/1, 10/1, 25/1 and 5/2. You’d fancy at least one to pop in given their record here, and the very useful Lauren Young and her 5lb claim ride each of them.
Ashen 18/1 | 1pt EW
13:30 Southwell
13:30 SouthwellT: Jim Goldie
J: Lauren Young⁵
Result: unplaced – 7/12 -2pt
Never better than midfield (SP 10/1)
The only selection today goes in a right trappy little race, and against one we’ve been following closely in Havana Sky, but at 18/1 I can’t let Ashen go, who was an almighty big eyecatcher on stable debut last time out and I can’t fathom the price on that run.
The least exposed horse in the race, who showed at least some signs of ability when with Marcus Tregoning, but he took a noticeable step forward when last seen, over today’s C&D under Paul Mulrennan.
He cruised through the race in the rear of midfield, but found himself in a nasty little pocket when straightening for home, which saw a plethora of rivals get a clear run for home well ahead of when he could make a move. Once beaten, Mulrennan just minded him home, eventually beaten 3¾ lengths.
He was value for far better than that, in what looked a fairly competitive handicap, so despite nudging up mildly in grade here, I fancy him to far outrun his odds of 18/1, the rank outsider in this field as the market stands.
A son of Phoenix Of Spain, whose progeny have struck 8 wins from 28 runs at Southwell, with 16 in total hitting the frame. He goes under the very useful 5lb claim of Lauren Young, who had a year to remember in 2025 and looks a very useful jockey in the making.
Worth noting too that Southwell is Jim Goldie’s best performing track, with a 17% strike rate from 100 runners and the only track where he shows a clear profit to level stakes (+30).
The aforementioned Havana Sky is an obvious danger in the race, and I looked more than once at Down To The Kid, which looks a muddling entry taking a marked drop in trip. What really stood out there was Neil Callan riding for Michael Herrington, a first since their only pairing in 2022, which was a winning combination.
Tadreeb is also a very useful performer at this level, is on a winnable mark and also goes under a claimer. The race is likely to be run with plenty of early pace, which will suit the selection but will also suit Tadreeb. They will need luck in-running, but I’d lean towards the less-exposed at a far bigger price any day.
Best of luck with your punting today,
