Smokey may have found niche

SMOKEY could have found her niche on the Southwell surface, and the Betway Handicap looks a good opportunity tomorrow.

The four-year-old had already demonstrated her ability to handle both Polytrack and Tapeta, and she added Fibresand to her repertoire when triumphing by a neck last month over the same five furlongs she faces here.

Despite ducking right at the start, she still managed to race prominently and was too strong in the finish for Passional – who was bang in form, having won four of her last five starts.

Raised 4lb for that win, Smokey will have the handy 5lb claim of Rhys Clutterbuck.

Three of Charlie Arthur’s four career wins have come at Southwell, so he can be relied on to put up a decent show in the Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap.

Each of his wins came over a mile at the track last winter, and he has proved pretty capable over longer trips at other tracks subsequently.

Equus Dreamer struck gold for the first time on his most recent run and can follow up in the Plough Novices’ Hurdle at Carlisle.

Placed three times in point-to-point company before joining Kim Bailey, it would probably be fair to assume that the six-yearold will not really start to show his best until sent over fences.

That said, he was smart enough to win at Hereford last month, stepping up on an initial third over hurdles and clearly relishing the extended three-mile-onefurlong trip.

He sticks at that distance here and is proven on soft ground.

Ishkhara Lady is sure to be a popular choice in Wincanton’s MansionBet Preparing For A Merry Cheltmas Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Harry Fry’s charge has been off the track since controversially deadheating in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham back in November, when low light made it impossible for the judge to separate the joint winners.

Nevertheless, Ishkhara Lady posted an excellent effort that day and is interesting sent over obstacles now, with better ground a likely positive factor.

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