N.H. racing at Southwell

Southwell, better known for its all-weather track, stages one of its rare N.H. meetings today and has attracted several useful performers, notably Wichita Linesman (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy), who makes his chasing debut in the opening race, a beginners chase over 3 miles at 15.20 CET. Wichita Linesman is one of the best staying hurdlers in the U.K. and was last seen when running 5th in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. If he jumps fences properly, he should have no problems in winning here. The one to take advantage of any lapse is probably Strong Coffee (Oliver Sherwood/ Dominic Elsworth), but if he fails, his supporters will probably need something even stronger! O´Neill and McCoy can complete a double with Ice Melted in the handicap hurdle at 17.50, he looks well very handicapped on his chasing form.The class 3 handicap chase over 2 1/2 miles at 16.20 looks very open; Sue Smith saddles two interesting contestants here, Bougoure (Graham Lee) and Oso Mag ic (Tjade Collier), but the one to beat is probably Bestofthebrownies (Howard Johnson/ Denis O´Regan).

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Wichita Lineman - Hopkins - Strong Coffee
2.Race: Action Spirit - Vibe - Perly Spencer
3.Race: O`Toole - Bestofthebrownies - Our Jasper
4.Race: Blue Dark - Bob `N` You - Cross Compliance
5.Race: Argento Luna - Over Sixty - Camino Real
6.Race: Ice Melted - Roznic - Alkar
7.Race: The Panama Kid - Trempari - Beau Troubadour