Racecards
12:45 Southwell
Bet Direct On 0800 32 93 93 Chase (Showcase Handicap) (Class C)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places


Shamawan (IRE)
200- Form 32/2112-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
towards rear and keen, mistake and jumped left 1st, took closer order 5th, in 3rd and every chance when fell 3 out

- Form 2P6-14U
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up in rear, in 4th and no impression when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next

Jarro (FR)
11- Form 31513-F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey B J Crowley
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on, no chance with winner

- Form 11133-P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer N Mason
- Jockey Richard Guest
tracked leader until hit 5th, soon behind

- Form 403332
- Age 10
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer N Mason
- Jockey Mr L McGrath
held up, ridden after 4 out, left remote 3rd approaching 2 out, no impression

- Form 211551-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Beaumont
- Jockey R Garritty
held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, ridden and reminder s after 4 out, weakened and eased approaching 3 out
In depth
Verdict
There was plenty to like about the way Shamawan progressed last season, chalking up easy wins at Huntingdon and Market Rasen in the process, before a valiant effort at the Punchestown Festival. Jonjo O'Neill's team are in good form and there certainly looks to be more to come from this J P McManus-owned gelding. Admittedly he would probably prefer some cut, but he is taken to lift the biggest prize of the meeting. Special Agenda has some ability but is inconsistent, though he does have an 11lb pull with Ei Ei for a 20 length defeat by that rival at Cartmel in June. Ei Ei is a very tough, consistent performer and this is his best trip, but he is 6lbs higher than his highest winning mark here. He will probably set the pace and should give them a bit to do, but will probably find a couple too good here. Sharpastrizam was another improver last season, winning four times. He finished off the campaign with a battling win at Perth and despite Peter Beaumont's string being in pretty good form, he is likely to need the run. Xaipete is proving very difficult to win with and it would be a surprise if he were to do so in this race, but Ivanoph travels up from Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat yard and on his stable's form alone merits consideration.