Southfield set for Kempton success
Conditions have dried up just in time for Southfield Stone in the Close Brothers Handicap Chase at Kempton today.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, the eightyear-old certainly has more to offer over fences than we have had chance to see to date.
He simply must have good ground to be seen at his best, as he showed when beating the talented Angels Breath in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at this meeting two years ago.
Flat tracks definitely suit him best too, which was why, despite winning that Grade Two, Nicholls did not even send him to Cheltenham that year, instead waiting for Aintree where soft ground scuppered him.
As he did not win his first novice chase until February last season having had the misfortune of bumping into some smart recruits, he was still eligible for a novice in October, when he beat the subsequent Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Coole Cody.
He has subsequently been put in his place by Protektorat, although there was no disgrace in that considering he was giving him weight, and then bogged down in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup won by Chatham Street Lad.
That run though, along with his effort in Grade One company at Aintree, are the only times he has been out of the frame in 17 starts and his consistency must be admired.
Nicholls could also be on the mark with Atholl Street in the Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.
The six-year-old appears a chaser of the future, and the fact he is owned by Trevor Hemmings suggests that is what he was bought for, but he has looked very good over the smaller obstacles too.
Both his wins have come at Taunton and while he had a subsequent winner back in fourth the first time, it was the way he won under a penalty on the second occasion that suggested he was way above average.
HOLLYWOOD actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will pay their Wrexham players a £250,000 bonus should the club win promotion from the National League this season.
Deadpool star Reynolds and McElhenney completed their takeover of the Welsh club earlier this month and have quickly implemented a players’ bonus scheme by reaching an agreement with captain Shaun Pearson on behalf of the squad.
Wrexham are currently seventh in the National League and occupy the final play-off position.
They host Wealdstone in the league today at the Racecourse (3pm).
Executive director Humphrey Ker told the club’s official website: “Rob and Ryan wanted to recognise the players’ confidence that they can reach this season’s playoffs and provide an added financial incentive to achieve this.
“There was no obligation to address this, but it felt like the right thing to do in order to support the existing playing squad who are all playing for their futures at the club.
“With the transfer window shut, we all need to get behind this group of players and Rob and Ryan wanted to be at the forefront, demonstrating their support.
“We have talked already about next season and the recruitment of new players.
“The current players are in the best place to stake their own claim to be part of the club’s journey.
“There won’t be any contract discussions with the existing senior squad until the end of the season, which is another reason we thought it was right to put the incentive scheme in place for the current players.”
Ker said players will receive £200 for each win and £50 for a draw, as long as Wrexham remain in a play-off position, while a £250,000 bonus pot would reward promotion.
Wrexham’s new ownership believe the incentive scheme is the most generous ever offered since the Red Dragons’ relegation from the English Football League in 2008.
Skipper Shaun Pearson said: “We are thankful for the incentive being put to us from Rob and Ryan.
“We believe as a group we have an opportunity to get into the playoffs, and hopefully achieve what everybody involved in the club wants - a return to the Football League.
“The takeover has brought exciting times for the whole club, the town and the community and we want to bring more excitement through our achievements on the pitch too.”
Reynolds and McElhenney have made a £2million investment in the club since taking 100 per cent control from the Wrexham Supporters Trust on February 9.