Racecards
12:30 Southwell
Betdirect In-Running Skytext P293 Claiming Stakes (Class 6)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Fibresand
- Form 000080-
- Age 7
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey S De Sousa
behind, never nearer
- Form 445000-
- Age 8
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
dwelt, behind, headway and raced wide over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten
- Form 002000-
- Age 7
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer M J Attwater
- Jockey Stacey Renwick
outpaced, never dangerous
- Form 8/75035-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 56
chased leaders, ridden halfway, raced wide and effort over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 030094-
- Age 9
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 58
always prominent, led over 2f out, kept on well
- Form 653537-
- Age 6
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer Mrs N Macauley
- Jockey D Fentiman
chased leaders, ridden and raced wide over 2f out, soon one pace
Ben Casey
41- Form 070332-
- Age 4
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 54
- Trainer B Smart
- Jockey Paul Eddery
always behind
- Form 714633-
- Age 5
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer M J Attwater
- Jockey R Fitzpatrick
chased leader, every chance over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
- Form 000273-
- Age 11
- Weight 8-3
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer A McGuinness
- Jockey C Catlin
slowly into stride, outpaced, headway halfway, stayed on under pressure final furlong
- Form 376/907-
- Age 5
- Weight 7-12
- Official Rating 35
- Trainer A C Whillans
- Jockey P Hanagan
led, headed over 2f out, edged right under pressure 1f out, weakened
In depth
Verdict
Ben Casey gets the vote over Colonel Cotton, Native Title and Shadow Jumper. Dandy Nichols has two runners here and the market will tell us more no doubt, but Colonel Cotton is sure to have his supporters based on past efforts. However, we look to Ben Casey to grab the distinction of becoming the first winner of the new year on the Fibresand surface. Bryan Smart's charge was just beaten on his last outing here in November when second to Mulberry Lad in similar company. The trainer was left seething afterwards as he was hit with a fine and jockey Paul Eddery suspended for 16 days. In addition the horse was banned for 40 days, but hopefully the new year will bring an immediate change of luck for all concerned. Native Title, like stablemate Colonel Cotton, has something of an absence to overcome and is best watched, while Shadow Jumper is a course-and-distance winner would not be out of it either. St Ivian has gone off the boil somewhat but would definitely be involved on his best form as well. We shall return to Ben Casey as the selection.
Formwatch
Colonel Cotton (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Held up stand side group, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 26th of 28, 14l behind Machinist (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Native Title 20-1 (9-8) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 6l behind Pure Imagination (8-0) at Newmarket 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Roman Empire 15-2 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Quiet Reading (8-8) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Soba Jones 20-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Tag Team (9-3) at Southwell 5f clm (6) fbs in Dec.
St Ivian 8-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Captain Darling (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Ben Casey 10-3 (9-0) Dwelt, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Mulberry Lad (9-0) at Southwell 6f mdn clm (7) fbs in Nov.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Led, ridden 1f out, weakened and headed close home, 3rd of 10, nk behind Tiviski (8-7) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Yorkshire Lad (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 10l behind Tag Team (9-3) at Southwell 5f clm (6) fbs in Dec.