1.00pm Southwell Tips & Betting Preview 20/12/2016

11 mediocre maidens go to post today for a Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Southwell, but regardless of the level of competition, this is still a competitive race. See our full race preview and betting tips below.

IN SUMMARY: Poetic Queen and Diamond Indulgence don’t have much between them and both have to be respected on their latest effort but preference is for CLEVER DIVYA. Although she was last home on her latest start, she is likely to be better suited on this surface with the dam having a record of 2-4 here. Her pedigree is good in the context of this race and it is taken that she’ll improve for switch of surfaces and be in the firing line today.

1 DON’T TELL JO JO – Posted a career best when midfield in a handicap at Bath back in August (5f, Good), but even that is mediocre in the context of this race and he’s best left alone today.

2 HADLEY – Pulled very hard when an okay 5th at Newcastle in a handicap latest (6f, Std) and this is probably harder now back in maiden company so doesn’t appeal much today.

3 PRIVATE DONALD – Only twice raced and showed promise on debut at Wolverhampton (6f, Std) when a staying on 3rd, but pulled very hard latest at Newcastle over 5f and could never get involved. Would have a good each way chance however if settling better and therefore needs consideration.

4 RIGSBY – Didn’t show much on debut at Kempton in October (6f, Slw to Std) but the first time hood worked when a staying on 4th at Lingfield on his latest start last month (6f, Std). Unsure the drop back in trip will suit and doesn’t make too much appeal.

5 SINGLE SUMMIT – 0-14 and hasn’t shown much in any completed starts. Back into Maiden company which may make this even tougher and doesn’t make much appeal today.

6 CLEVER DIVYA – Has shown some promise in one Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster back in April (6f, Good to Soft) and although she failed to beat home a rival in a 0-75 latest, this switch to All Weather may well suit with the Dam having a 2-4 record at this venue for the Jenkins’ yard who also train this filly today. Pedigree isn’t too bad in the context of this race and she is well worth another chance today.

7 DIAMOND INDULGENCE – 1l behind Poetic Queen on debut latest when pulling hard, however she did manage to stay on well in the closing stages. That debut was promising and if managing to settle better today she should have a chance in a race like this. Place claims.

8 GORGEOUS – Raced four times not showing much in any run, however she did plug on at Lingfield latest when 5th of 8 over 7f which suggests this drop back in trip probably isn’t in her favour.

9 LADY ELIZABETH – 0-14 showing some promise on a few occasions, however those were a good while ago now and he’s impossible to recommend today.

10 LA FORTUNA – Improved nicely from a decent debut when a creditable 2nd at Lingfield latest behind a fancied favourite (6f, Std). Has the potential to progress which is more than can be said for quite a few of these and needs to be hugely respected today.

11 POETIC QUEEN – Finished a close 2nd at Newcastle latest (5f, Std) with three of today’s rivals in behind him, should still have some progression in her as she’s still lightly raced and has to be considered a big danger today.