Spurs to score at Southwell
COURSE regular Boots And Spurs looks sure to run his race in the sunbets.co.uk Handicap at Southwell.
Scott Dixon’s charge will be having his 11th outing on the Fibresand and while he only has two victories to his name there, the eight-year-old is consistently running well.
He looks to have been finally given a chance by the handicapper, having been dropped 2lb for a run there earlier in the month.
Given he was second to Holiday Magic on New Year’s Day off 77 and he runs off 74 here, subsequent events have proved he faced a tall order that day.
Holiday Magic was running off 86 there and was only narrowly touched off in a red-hot race off 94 last week.
Another boost to his chance is that Luke Morris, who has won on him before, is back on board.
Finale showed steep improvement from her debut to finish second last time out and can break her duck in the sunbets.co.uk Maiden Stakes.
She split horses trained by John Gosden and Ralph Beckett when stepped up to a mile and looked a sure-fire future winner.
Bo Selecta can defy top weight in the 32Red Handicap.
Trained by Richard Spencer, the Dream Ahead colt has run over seven, six and five furlongs, and was spotted flying home over the latter trip.
Up to a mile for his handicap debut, he will surely be better suited to that distance and a mark of 62 looks fair.
Keep an eye, too, on Escalating, who has been off for over 100 days before his run in the Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap but is reappearing off his last winning mark.
Jerrysback is all about the future but he should still be too good for his rivals in the Watch The Cheltenham Festival On Racing UK Novices’ Hurdle at Wetherby.
Trained by Philip Hobbs, JP McManus bought him after winning an Irish pointto-point easily in October.
It looked significant that Barry Geraghty went to Plumpton on a Monday to ride him on his racecourse debut under Rules, but it was clear to see why he did afterwards.
While the form is very easy to crab, and so was the performance in some ways, he obviously has a good deal of ability as he did plenty wrong but still won on the bridle.
You would like to think he will have improved mentally more than anything for that outing and he should be good enough to win again.
9-1 Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Fiery Spice at Southwell 5f mdn stks (5) fbs in Jan. 20-1 In touch, ridden chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Dangerous Ends at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
6-1 Led, ridden inside final 2f, headed inside final furlong, no extra in 4th towards finish, 4th of 14, 3l behind Dangerous Ends at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol. 11-1 Slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced 5f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Daily Trader at Southwell 1m Maiden Handicap (3yo) (6) fbs in Jan.
7-1 Disputed lead, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakening when slightly hampered final 100 yards, 6th of 8, 7l behind Auric Goldfinger at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan. 6-1 Tracked leader until 5f out, struggling over 2f out, went modest 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 8l behind Our Charlie Brown at Musselburgh 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
50-1 Took keen hold, pressed leader, ridden 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 5l behind Dangerous Ends at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol. 33-1 Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 5l behind Log Off at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Jan. 16-1 Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 17l behind Daily Trader at Southwell 1m Maiden Handicap (3yo) (6) fbs in Jan.
25-1 Towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 11, 9l behind Beepeecee at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) in Jan. 20-1 Chased leaders, lost place well over 2f out, last of 12, 20l behind Gracious Tom at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec. 100-1 Took keen hold in mid-division on outside, pushed along when hung badly left and ran wide on bend 3f out, behind and no chance after, eased final furlong, 10th of 11, 30l behind Broad Appeal at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol. 40-1 Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 14, 19l behind Vatican Hill at Thirsk 7f 2yo sll (6) gf in Sep.
6-1 Led, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Raheen House at York 1m 2yo mdn aut (3) gd in Oct. 3-1 Raced wide early, chased leaders, led 5f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Kencumin at Southwell 7f mdn stks (5) fbs. 12-1 Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, stayed on, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Vantage Point at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) fbs in Jan.
33-1 Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 8, 10l behind Sofia’s Rock at Redcar 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct. 100-1 Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final fiurlong, 6th of 12, 15l behind Garrick at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (5). 40-1 Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon detached, last of 6, 21l behind Driver’s Girl at Chelmsford City 1m 3yo mdn auc stks (5) pol. 100-1 Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 37l behind Garrick at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (5). TICKS THE BOXES (18)MHerrington59-9(C) ....... RWinston DUSKY DAWN (14) G Swinbank 5 9-8 (C) ................. B A Curtis AMONG ANGELS (11) D Loughnane 5 9-7 ................... D Swift CUSTARD THE DRAGON (11) J Mackie 4 9-7 (CD3).. J Fanning ALPHA TAURI (19) C Smith 11 9-6 (CD7) ..... Ben Robinson (7) VROOM (19) Miss G Kelleway 4 9-6 (CD) ..................... C Lee (5) BOOTS AND SPURS (19) S Dixon 8 9-6 (BF, C2, D3) ..... L Morris HARWOODS STAR (11)JButler79-5(C4)...JoshuaBryan(7) ESSENAITCH (26) P Evans 4 9-4 (CD2) PULLMAN BROWN (39) P Kirby 5 9-0 UNNOTICED (11) O Pears 5 8-11 (D) STUN GUN (19) D Shaw 7 8-11 (CD2) SHOWING OFF (11) M Wigham 4 8-7 (D) BETTING: 3 Custard The Dragon, 11-2 Vroom, 7 Dusky Dawn, 8 Ticks The Boxes, Unnoticed, 10 Boots And Spurs, Alpha Tauri, 12 Among Angels, Harwoods Star, 14 Others.
2-1fav Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, chasing leaders when switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Southwell 7f hcap 0-70 (5) fbs beating Unnoticed by 1 1/4l, 11 ran. 8-1 Led early, chased leaders on inside, went 2nd halfway, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed out and always doing enough, won at Southwell 7f app hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Aqua Ardens by 3/4l, 8 ran. 25-1 Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Worlds His Oyster at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4). 10-1 Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 6l behind Flowers On Venus at Lingfield 7f clm stks 0-65 (6) pol. 13-2 Raced keenly, chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, chased winner and kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Custard The Dragon at Southwell 7f hcap 0-70 (5) fbs. 4-1 Slight lead on inside, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Shearian at Southwell 1m hcap 0-70 (5) fbs.
3-1fav Soon outpaced towards rear, ridden halfway, headway near side over 1f out, modest 4th final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind Vroom at Southwell 7f app hcp 0-75 (5) fbs. 7-2 Slowly into stride, outpaced and early reminders, modest 4th over 1f out, never involved, 4th of 5, 6l behind Piazon at Southwell 5f clm stks 0-75 (6) fbs.
6-1 Towards rear, outpaced halfway, headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Slingsby at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-85 (4).
8-1 Prominent, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 14l behind Alpha Tauri at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan. 9-2 Raced widest, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 8, 9l behind Shearian at Southwell 1m hcap 0-70 (5) fbs.
10-1 Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and no impression in 5th 1f out, no extra, 8th of 10, 9l behind Red Avenger at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Jan. 66-1 Slowly away, outpaced and always in rear, tailed off and eased final furlong, last of 11, 26l behind Custard The Dragon at Southwell 7f hcap 0-70 (5) fbs. (47) D Shaw 8 9-0 (BF, CD) (11) P Midgley 6 8-13 (D6) (103) M Appleby 5 8-11 (D2) (22)SDixon58-2(CD5) (19) D C Griffiths 4 8-2 (BF, CD)Josephine BETTING: 10-3 Captain Lars, 4 Lady Nayef, 5 Dungannon, 6 Crosse Fire, Wentworth Falls, 7 Archimedes, 10 Escalating, 14 Orient Class.
5-4fav In touch, faded over 1f out, 6th of 7, 8l behind The Big Lad at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan. 8-1 Chased leaders towards far side, went 2nd inside final 2f, soon ridden, kept on same pace inside final furlong, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Sir Billy Wright at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs. 15-2 Held up and behind, good headway near side over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Sir Billy Wright at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs. 13-2 Slowly away, towards rear, headway over 2f out, went 4th 1f out, not able to trouble leaders, 4th of 10, 4l behind Elusivity at Southwell 6f hcap 0-70 (5) fbs in Jan. 16-1 Chased leading trio, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Nov beating Straightothepoint by nk, 11 ran. 11-4fav Held up off the pace near side, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Treaty Of Rome at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
20-1 Towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 14, 2l behind Showdaisy at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Nov. 50-1 Chased leaders towards far side, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 7l behind Sir Billy Wright at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs. A Rawlinson (3) (46) K Dalgleish 4 9-12 ............................. P Makin (11) G Swinbank 6 9-7 (BF, C, D) .......... B A Curtis M Chapman 7 9-5 .................... Phil Dennis (5) (41)MJohnston49-4 ............ JFanning (26) Miss J Feilden 4 9-3 ........... Shelley Birkett (3) M Sowersby 4 8-10 ................. Nathan Evans (3) BETTING: 9-4 My Renaissance, 3 Ralphy Lad, 7 Go On Gal, 8 Horseguardsparade, Sennockian Song, 10 Noguchi, 12 The Lock Master, Sattelac, 25 Others.
15-8fav Tracked leaders, 3rd travelling well over 4f out, led entering final 3f, ridden over 1f out, held on gamely, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Bridey’s Lettuce by nk, 7 ran.
6-4fav Tracked leaders, went 2nd on inside well over 2f out, closed well inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Thou Swell at Southwell 1m 4f sll hcp 0-60 (6) fbs. 20-1 Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind My Renaissance at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) fbs in Jan. 16-1 Dwelt, in rear, raced wide in back straight, headway over 3f out, went 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden and kept on inside final furlong, lost 3rd place near finish, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Medburn Cutler at Chepstow 2m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jun. 6-1 Led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 12l behind Genres at Newcastle 1m 4f am hcp 0-65 (6) in Jan. 14-1 Led until 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, soon behind, 10th of 11, 19l behind Attain at Lingfield 1m 4f amat hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan. 28-1 Held up in touch, headway under pressure on inside over 1f out, keeping on same pace when not much room on rail inside final furlong, eased towards finish, 7th of 8, 8l behind Absolute Blast at Wolverhampton 1m 1f fll hcp (4) in Jan.
17-2 Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 10l behind Fast Play at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5).
TRACKFACTS SOUTHWELL: The AWT (Fibresand) is a tight left-handed TOP TRACK JOCKEYS WITH RIDES: (2012-2017): A Mullen oval circuit over 1m2f which joins the straight 5f course 3f 65-415, L Morris 63-447, J Fanning 62-365, B Curtis 37-230, from the finish. The Turf course lies within the AWT and is A Rawlinson 32-161. a furlong shorter. LONGEST TRAVELLER: Our Lois (2.10) trained at Carluke.
Round trip of 536 miles. TOP TRACK TRAINERS WITH RUNNERS: (2012-2017): M FAVOURITES: (2012-2017): 769 have won out of 2208 races Appleby 118-651, M Johnston 46-200, S Dixon 44-448, D (34.8%). At the previous corresponding meetings, 10 have Shaw 31-259, P Evans 29-180. won out of 38 races (26.3%).