Friday, February 20, 2009

All-weather action at Southwell and Wolverhampton.

Today´s all-weather racing comes from Southwell in the afternoon and Wolverhampton in the evening, but with all races either class 5 or 6, there is little to excite the imagination. At Southwell, the two top-weigjts and last-time-out winners Royal Envoy (Paul Howling/ Tolley Dean) and Kipchak (Clive Brittain/ Martin Dwyer) can dominate the mile handicap at 14.55 CET, with preference for the latter. Brittain and Dwyer also have a chance with Wahan in the 3yo handicap at 16.05; although he has shown little so far, he can make his mark in this company. Three German-breds are in the large field for the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 17.50. Bright Sparky (Mick Easterby/ Dale Gibson), a CD winner last time out, could be the best of them, while Tyrana (Jon Spearing/ Tolley Dean) has been disappointing so far. The interesting one could be Safin, an easy winner over hurdles on Monday; his flat form is very inconsistent, but he is reunited here with Graham Gibbons, who won of him earlier in th e winter. At Wolverhampton, the most interesting event is the 7 furlongs handicap at 20.20. Imprimis Tagula (Alan Bailey/ Neil Chalmers) landed a gamble yesterday and if he turns out again under a penalty, can score again. But there is plenty of in-form opposition, including Ravi River (Tom Dascombe/ Ross Atkinson), also a winner already this week.