Achtung Shantung!

LIGHT WORK: Shantung

THERE is a decent jumps card at Southwell this afternoon and SHANTUNG (2.30) can make the most of her light weight in the mares’ handicap hurdle.

Lucy Wadham’s seven-yearold has dropped 15lbs in the ratings in the last year and kicked off this season with two really good performances at Lingfield and Leicester.

This looks a cracking opening for connections to finally taste victory.

A good value bet could come in the form of MASSINI MAN (12.55). The top weight ran a fine race over course and distance last time out when a running on third behind Rizzardo and this if anything looks a bit easier.

I will be surprised if he can’t successfully give 11lbs away to likely favourite Joly Maker.

There is a cracking Pertemps Hurdle Qualifier on show at

Carlisle and in the prevailing heavy ground, this three miles will take some getting which is the perfect set-up for CHAPEL SITE (2.10).

A promising comeback run at Aintree should have put him straight and in receipt of 17lbs from Ask Dillon, he looks the call.

The Nicky Richards-trained runner is very lightly raced with just 13 career starts and this is the kind of test he will relish.

Earlier on, INFORMATEUR (1.35) looks right for the twoand-a-half mile handicap chase.

Sue Smith’s yard are just beginning to hit a sweet spot and this seven-year-old was impressive when coming home in splendid isolation at Catterick. This is a better race but he can see off more experienced rivals.

In the all-weather at Lingfield, KICK ON KICK ON (1.45, nap) finally looks ready to give the judge a nudge in the feature event after having fallen massively in the handicap.

Originally rated as high as 96 at his peak in 2018, the fiveyear-old has been a victim of his consistency and hasn’t landed a gold medal since July 2018.

It wasn’t until the handicapper dropped him into mid 70s that he rediscovered his mojo again.

A closing second to Mutabaahy at Wolverhampton last time out signalled that his turn is now close at hand.

Some of old friends clash in the opening event and of the trio of Mr Mac, The Warrior and BINT DANDY (11.40), the last named looks the play here.