3.40pm Southwell Tips & Betting Preview 24/01/2017

Seven go to post for the penultimate race of the day at Southwell, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: With three last time out winners this race promises to be very competitive and preference is for TATTING. Lawrence Mullaney’s eight year old has won the last twice in claiming races, enhancing his course record to 50% from 12 runs and he’s likely to run well again back in handicaps on a mark that doesn’t look particularly harsh. He can see off the attentions of Isharah who continues to run well and if taking to fibresand is likely to be a big danger.

1 TOMMY DOCC – Very useful as a three year old with a second at listed level back June 2015, though he mainly struggled in 2016 and was last seen finishing 13th at Newcastle in the Northumberland Plate (2m, Std). Drops back in class and trip for today’s outing which he should appreciate, though this absence of 213 days is a concern. Likely to run well with the Keith Dalgleish yard in great form (4-12 in the past two weeks) and rider Phillip Makin in equally good form (4-9 in the past two weeks), but may be vulnerable for win purposes.

2 ROYAL MARSKELL – Has a good record at Southwell though his last win came back in February over C&D, off a mark 2lb lower than he races off today. He’s yet to win off a mark this high and his current form has to be a concern, with his latest fourth at Newcastle no more than a fair effort (1m 4f, Std). Others have more convincing and are preferred today with the Gay Kelleway yard hitting a flat spot at present.

3 LUV U WHATEVER – Seven time a winner here at Southwell with his latest win coming over a year ago at Chelmsford (1m 5f, Std), and hasn’t been as good since. His last few runs have been poor including his latest start when eight at Wolverhampton, a very tame effort (1m 4f, Std). H’es obviously now well handicapped as a consequence of his poor run and is now 9lb below his last winning mark, but its clear he’s not the force of old and best left alone today.

4 ISHARAH – Has won at Newcastle the last twice at the 1m 4f and 2m trips and makes his fibresand debut today which does raise a question mark. Raised 5lb for the latest of his wins and and will need more today but is clearly progressive and that can’t be discounted as he’s very effective at this trip. Likely to go well if taking to his surface and has to be respected for the inform Joe Fanning (6-34 in the past two weeks) on board who has rode him for both his wins.

5 L’INGANNO FELICE – Narrowly won on his penultimate start at Newcastle (1m 2f, Std) and despite being raised 6lb he hacked up on his latest start over C&D, winning easily by seven lengths. Jumps up into Class 3 company from Class 5 for today’s outing but doesn’t look out of place and with how well the Iain Jardine yard is going at present he’s impossible to discount. Should go close but a mark of 83 makes this tough.

6 TATTING – 50% strike rate from 12 runs here at Southwell and has won the last twice in claiming races, winning with something in hand on both occasions. Back into handicaps on a mark of 78, which doesn’t look excessive in his current vein of form and is likely to go very well for Paul Mulrennan and Lawrence Mullaney with conditions to suit. This trip seems to be about his optimum and its easy to build a case for him today, so he has to be respected.

7 WESTERN PRINCE – Lightly raced four year old who is 2-3 of late, winning nicely here over further in December (1m 6f, Std). Disappointing when only fifth at Chelsmford on his latest start (2m, Std), though he looked a non stayer and going down in trip should suit, so it’d be no surprise to see him bounce back today. Still early days and a mark of 79 is surely one he can do well off, so has to be respected and likely to go well.