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Preview
01 April 2008
4.45 Southwell – 1 Mile
Handicap Standard
1. Rio Riva – Returned this
season as good as ever with a cracking performance once again in the
Lincoln handicap in which he was placed in and is long overdue a try
on this deep surface that should suit, the major concern has to be
his ability to handle smaller fields then he is use too, but he is
very much a spring horse and often pays his way around this time of
year. Tom Eaves has a fair record on a horse that is ultra
consistent and tough as old boots, so the kick back shouldn’t be a
problem either.
My Rating – 115
2. Party Boss – Best in the
winter months, he has ran well in the spring in the past as well and
has won on both starts on this surface for his inform trainer.
Likely to be thereabouts in the finish he is consistent over a mile
trip on a sharp track and if finding the form he showed in the
latter part of last year he could be ready to run a very big race
here. Only his third run on this surface it wouldn’t be out of the
norm for a horse aged six to find further improvement on a surface
he has been used sparingly on but to good effect.
My Rating – 112
3. Red Cape – Had no chance
over sprint trips the other day at Doncaster and should be better
judged on his form over a mile that clearly suits. Doesn’t have a
great deal in favour but has fair form this time of year in races
such as this so isn’t totally a lost cause even though it was with
his ex trainer where he showed his best form. The Yard he is with
now can do more work with the horse, but for the time being he could
well be in the grips of the handicapper. Turned out quickly for
today’s race could help him get handicapped to win sooner rather
then later.
My Rating – 102
4. Very Wise – Last seasons
Lincoln winner couldn’t find the same dash as he showed 12 months
ago in this seasons race and changes code to try and get back some
confidence after being well beaten last weekend. The quick turning
out shouldn’t be a problem as he does come out of his previous races
well and early season can often be the best time to catch the horse
with the ground in his favour, should handle this deep surface today
his connections will be hoping that he shapes better then his last
effort on this surface.
My Rating – 96
5. Silver Hotspur – Improving
with every race it seems and takes a giant step up in class today to
mix it with top handicappers on a surface that has been good to him
in recent weeks. Its hard to know if he has the improvement in him
to take it up at this level and maybe a class 4 handicap would have
been a better option for the horse over 7 furlongs. He deserves to
take his chance in this handicap today and it will be a good test of
how far he has progressed. The likely hood is that he will claim a
place at best over a mile and a drop back in trip may be the next
step at a higher level then he has achieved.
My Rating - 111
6. Kabeer – Gallant 10yo who
saves his best runs for this track and even though not the force he
once was he runs with a remarkable consistency on this surface.
Unlikely to beat the best of these in terms of class you can mark
him down as a reliable bench mark to rate the other horses around
and certainly tell if they have a future at this level on this
surface. Nothing to fear for his backers at this track as he is sure
to run his race, but place claims are the best he can hope for I
feel.
My Rating - 105
7. Regal Parade – Finished
behind Benandoner on reappearance at Doncaster on Lincoln Day and
comes here with a live chance having coped well with this surface in
the past when winning a smaller race then today’s contest. With
Dandy Nichols from Mark Johnston setup he maybe dropped back in trip
after today with seven furlongs being his ideal trip on form. Could
well improve on this surface and for new yard but its been a while
since the Goodwood run that would have him home and hosed of this
weight.
My Rating – 109
8. Benandoner – returned in
good form on turf the other week when chasing home mud lark Don’t
Panic and that form could well work out to be strong form for the
upcoming events such as the Zetland Gold Cup which he is sure to
take his chance in. Has had good form previously on this track and
is nicely weighted on return to this surface he could well take all
the beating with a lot in favour. The fitness of the horse is no
concern as he has gone well within a 2 week period in the past and
even though his form in class 2 handicaps is nothing to write home
about, he has got a nice low weight and looks handicapped to go
well.
My Rating – 117
Tissue prices – Benandoner 2/1, Rio Riva 4/1, Party Boss 13/2,
Silver Hotspur 7/1, Regal Parade 8/1, Kabeer 12/1, Red Cape 16/1,
Very Wise 20/1.
Verdict – I
have discounted Very wise on the basis that he looks in need of some
help from the handicapper at present and Red Cape needs to show he
still has his raw ability in tact. Benandoner is likely to go close
of this mark, but the price of 7/4 is a little to short and the 7/1
available on Rio Riva and 10/1 on Party Boss look to be better
options in this tight handicap.
Selection –
2 pts win Rio Riva
@ 7/1 (8’sBF) & 1 pt win Party Boss
@ 10-1 (11’sBF)
Well Chief
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