Balding’s Razin’ hopes

● Trainer saddles six-year-old who loves Southwell

John Balding is the man to follow at Southwell with both Razin’ Hell and Fortinbrass primed to strike at the Nottinghamshire venue.

Razin’ Hell tackles the Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap after finishing second over the same course and distance last time.

The six-year-old is happiest when leading from the front, but he had competition for the prime position last time and his early efforts in trying to get to the front perhaps just told a bit when the race really got serious.

Beaten two and a half lengths, it was still a decent run and the handicapper has thankfully left him alone on a mark of 85.

Razin’ Hell really excels at Southwell with seven of his eight career victories coming at the track, where strong course form advantage.

Fortinbrass is another who relishes the Fibresand surface, and he can hit the target in the sunbets.co.uk Handicap.

He boasts four victories over the six furlongs he tackles here, most recently prevailing in a moderate handicap at the end of last month.

He bounced back from a disappointing previous run at the venue when seeing off Cadeaux Pearl by a neck, with the narrow margin of victory limiting the handicapper to a 2lb rise.

Fortinbrass now sits on a

is a definite perch of 62 and, while he may not be quite the force he once was, the seven year old won off a mark of 81 in better days, so perhaps all is not lost yet.

Major Jumbo can follow up his recent Newcastle success in the 32Red Casino Handicap back at Gosforth Park.

Kevin Ryan’s charge looked one who is sure to go on to better things after triumphing in a fair three-year-old event by two and a quarter lengths from the favourite.

An 8lb rise in the weights is hardly ideal, but the Zebedee gelding appears to be on an upward curve now.

Rhapando was brought down on his return from a long lay-off at Kempton last month, but hopefully will enjoy more luck on his return to the track for the Smarter Bets With Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase. The eightyear-old had shaped with a bit of promise through the 2014-15 season, but was then sidelined for the best part of two years.

Paul Webber’s charge got no further than the seventh fence last time out and he should be given another shot here.