Midnight magic at Southwell

MIDNIGHT MALIBU can follow up a recent course win at Southwell in the valuable Betway Sprint.

Tim Easterby’s five-year-old mare scraped home by a neck on New Year’s Day in what looked a decent race for the grade.

The handicapper has only put her up 2lb and given those who finished behind her have hardly advertised the form since, that looks fair enough.

However, that was her second start on the Fibresand and her second win and she always looked like getting on top close home.

She is obviously right at home on the unique surface and this place lends itself to specialists.

Ignacio Zuloaga caught the eye running on into second last week and can go one better in the sunbets.co. uk Handicap.

Having just the fourth run of his life, he was outpaced at halfway before staying on strongly.

The winner had flown, but it was a real sign the penny is starting to drop with him.

Going Native ran with credit here earlier in the month and should do so again in the 32Red Maiden Handicap.

Quickly to the lead, she was swamped on either side a furlong out but kept at it to snatch third. The handicapper has left her alone and Ed Walker has booked the useful Jason Watson to take 7lb off.

Senatus put up a bold effort to say the least last time out and deserves some reward in the Betway Live Casino Handicap.

Soon marching to the front, the Karen McLintock-trained six-year-old held a huge advantage at one stage and was still well in front turning into the straight, before being headed close home.

He comes back half a mile in trip from that Newcastle run and similarly positive tactics might mean he again takes some catching.