All-weather racing at Southwell

Another rather dreary card at Southwell, where are all 7 races are class 5 or 6. It does not often happen that the best bet of the day comes in a class 6 handicap for amateur riders, but that could be the case today as Aaman (Ed Vaughan/ Serena Brotherton) really does look a good thing in the opening race at 14.30 CET. He trotted up only last Thursday over this CD, winning an apprentice race by16 lengths, and with an experienced lady rider on board should follow up today.

Mark Johnston and his main jockey Joe Fanning currently enjoy an amazing strike rate and can land another double here with debutant Ancient Times in the 3yo mile maiden at 17.00 and Ostentation in the 3yo handicap over the same trip half an hour later, where Wedding Dream (Kevin and Amy Ryan) looks the main danger.

The best betting race could be the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.30, where 3 of the 7 runners are last-time-out CD winners.Top-weight Poet´s Place (David Barron/ Phillip Makin) won his only race at Christmas in good style, but it is not sure that his handicap rating is justified. He is unexposed and could be anything, but it is possible that the more experienced Charles Parnell (Steve Griffiths/ Michael Stainton) and Ponting (Peter Midgeley/ Paul Pickard) could cause him problems today, especially the latter, all 3 of whose career victories have come over this CD this winter.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Aaman - Merrion Tiger - Bright Sparky
2. Race: Dream In Blue - My Mate Mal - Inside Story
3. Race: Young Gladiator - Not My Choice - Where`S Reiley
4. Race: Dig Deep - Stonecrabstomorrow - Whitbarrow
5. Race: Poet`S Place - Charles Parnell - Gentle Guru
6. Race: Ancient Times - Calculus Affair - Royal Torbo
7. Race: Ostentation - Wedding Dream - Paintball