2.40pm Southwell Tips & Betting Preview 21/03/2017

A field of eight go to post for the second race of the day at Southwell on Tuesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Both Busy Street and Muqarred are likely to be popular after their latest performances but perhaps this can go to John Davies’ MAJOR ROWAN. He romped home for a nine length success at Newcastle in August and although he has struggled with the handicapper since, his latest effort at the same venue was positive. He was keeping on steadily and wasn’t hard pressed to finish where he did, leading to the handicapper dropping him a further two pounds. He should be able to do damage off this mark and if given a more positive ride this time by Philip Makin he’s likely to go very close and has to be respected.

1 TATTING – Multiple course and distance, two claimers here with the latest over C&D on New Year’s Day on his penultimate start. Raised 2lb, he was well beaten here over the 1m 4f trip three weeks later, never threatening and always easily held. Down a pound but more is needed despite going down in class, as he has mainly struggled in the grade in the past. Paul Mulrennan takes the ride and he can’t be fully ruled out for the placings, but others make far more appeal.

2 BUSY STREET – Has a record of a win and two seconds when racing here at Southwell, with that win coming over C&D back in December 2015 in a maiden. He returned this season when second over C&D in this class, finishing second to a well backed winner and far from disgraced considering he had been off for six months. He likely has much more to give as a lightly raced five year old and he should be much better for that latest run. Entitled to go well and has to be respected for Alan Swinbank and Joe Fanning.

3 ALSHAN FAJER – Record of three wins from twenty-six doesn’t read for impressive reading, with that latest victory coming back in January 2016 at Lingfield (1m 4f, Std). He’s now on a 2lb lower mark but didn’t impress on his return from a break, finishing a laboured fifth over C&D, eighteen lengths behind Busy Street on that occasion. He will need much, much more i he’s to take this and it’s hard to imagine he can get near Busy Street despite now having race fitness. Others readily preferred.

4 TORREMAR – Won on his penultimate start at Redcar back in October (1m 6f, Soft), eased near the finish to a very easy victory. Not so good at Newcastle a month later though when well beaten at Newcastle, perhaps not staying the trip (2m, Std). Returns from a 134 day break with something to prove on fibresand debut but should have more to offer as a four year old and will be happier down in trip. Interesting runner and has possible place claims for Kevin Ryan and Tom Eaves.

5 MAJOR ROWAN – Charged home for a nine length success at Newcastle in August (1m 4f, Std) but the handicapper raised him 13lb on the back of that and he has since struggled with the handicapper, though his latest effort was encouraging. Held up out the back, he kept on steadily down the straight and although beaten by around twelve lengths, he was never hard pressed and mainly pushed out by Connor Beasley. Down a further 2lb in the handicap, he should be able to do damage off this mark and if given a positive ride this time by Philip Makin he’s likely to go very close and has to be respected.

6 THE LOCK MASTER – Won a C&D handicap in a lower grade in February, albeit by three lengths and he did do it relatively comfortably. Back up to class five he was far from disgraced when a close third here over the 1m 3f trip two weeks ago and he remains on the same mark for today’s outing. Both Michael Appleby and Silverstre De Sousa are flying at present and despite him being a ten year old with 112 starts under his belt, he does look a likely main player. Stall 1 is a gift and he has to be respected.

7 FALCON’S FIRE – Now only two pounds above his last winning mark after three poor efforts the last thrice, though his current form has to be of grave concern despite his now fair mark. He was last seen well beaten here two weeks ago when behind The Lock Master, weakening very tamely. Hard to rule him out now he’s back down to this mark but others can have far more convincing claims made for them. Possible each way claims with Shirely Teasdale claiming 5lb but hard to make a case for him for win purposes.

8 MUQARRED – Won easily on fibresand debut here over the mile last week, running out a four length winner after travelling powerfully throughout. He’s well in under a penalty in this for the in form Roger Fell yard with Danny Tudhope taking the ride, though there has to be concern this trip will not suit him. He’s been well beaten on almost all his runs past the 1m 1f, unable to land a blow and he’s been burdened with stall eight which may scupper him from getting prominent early like is his way. Main contender never the less but he can be taken on this time.