2.10pm Southwell Tips & Betting Preview 26/01/2017

A trappy five furlong sprint is the third race of the day at Southwell on Thursday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This has surely got to be the day that CROSSE FIRE returns to the winners enclosure. A five time winner over C&D, he is now 15lb below his last winning mark and his latest run indicated that his turn was very near when third over 6f last week. The drop to 5f is perfect for him and it would be a big shame if he weren’t able to capitalise on this incredibly low mark today. Berlios is likely to give him the most to think about with two good runs over C&D in the books already and the handicapper doesn’t look to have caught up with him just yet.

1 ENGLISHWOMAN – Has a record of 211314 here at Southwell and recorded her last win at this venue on her penultimate start on the 10th over 6f. Wasn’t disgraced when fourth here a week later off a 6lb higher mark and races off the same mark today. Entitled to be in their pitching for placings, but does need to show more for win purposes for David Evans and Stevie Donohoe.

2 PIAZON – Has been in great form since switching to this surface with two wins over C&D in December and two places since, the latest of which earlier in the month off a 3lb lower mark than today’s. Hard to rule out if in the same form again despite now being 15lb higher than when starting this good sequence, though Stall 10 is no gift if he wants to be prominent early. Needs to be respected but can be opposed.

3 WANEEN – Two wins in October with the latest off a mark of 68 in at Chelmsford (5f, Std), but has been poor the last twice off a mark of 75. Only is dropped 1lb and the handicapper seems to have him firmly in his grasp at this stage, and will need this switch to fibresand and joining the John Butler yard to have a drastic impact if he’s to feature. Definitely vulnerable for win purposes and others have more pressing claims.

4 ROCKING RUDOLPH – Only raced four times but won here on debut over C&d in July 2015, though she hasn’t gone on from that in three runs since, only raced three times from August 2015 through to October 2016. Has had a 111 day break and returning to this venue could help as she also drops back in trip, with a mark of 74 looking more realistic for her. Can have a case easily made for her and looks to have solid claims today for owner Glen Johnson.

5 MYSTERIOUS LOOK – Has something to find with Berlios on their latest match up over C&D in December, though there was plenty of money for her that day. Still has scope for progress as a four year old and likely to improve further, though he is still 12lb higher than her last all weather win. Likely needs some help from the handicapper, though has solid Each Way claims if building on that latest effort for Ed McMahon.

6 KING CRIMSON – Five runs for the John Butler yard have resulted in five crushing defeats, with his mark plummeting to 74. Now now 4lb lower than for his last all weather win which came at Wolverhampton in March 2016 (5f, Std), and his current vein of form its hard to see him returning to winning ways today. Drops in grade but that isn’t enough to tempt and he’s best watched.

7 BERLIOS – Showed a decent level of form over in Ireland when with Conor O’Dwyer and has made a good start for David Barron. He won over C&D on his penultimate start in March and he returned to action this season when finishing third over C&D again, only beaten a length. On the same mark again today which makes him of obvious interest and the David Barron yard have had some winners of late, with a record of 2-12 over the past two weeks. Likely contender and has to be respected.

8 CROSSE FIRE – Third over 6f here last Thrusday when running on late, hampered at a crucial stage which certainly didn’t help. Now on a mark of 70 which is 15lb below his last winning mark so if returning to anywhere near his best he is thrown into this, with his last run indicating he was getting close to stepping into the winners enclosure. Drop to 5f is certainly a help as all his wins are over C&D and today may well be the day he gets back into the winners enclosure for Scott Dixon.

9 BROCKHOLES – Turf winner at Catterick over 7f in June and has been a mixed bag since, finishing a decent enough sixth at Newcastle in December (5f, Std). Still lightly raced and likely to have further room for progress, with this switch to fibresand possibly to suit as her turf win was gained on softer ground. Needs to show more if she’s to feature but that isn’t inconceivable and does need a second look today.

10 RED STRIPES – Wasn’t beaten by Piazon and Crosse Fire over C&D in December and is now 2lb lower after some poor performances the last twice, the latest of which when never involved at Wolverhampton last Friday (5f, Std). Stall 9 is certainly no gift and is currently 0-16 for the Lisa Williamson yard, so its hard to build a case for him today and others have more pressing claims.

11 MISU MONEYPENNY – Returned from a sixth month break when a decent enough fourth at Lingfield two weeks ago (5f, Std to Slw), but now has Luke Morris on board which is an obvious plus. 2lb below her last winning mark and a record of 2-6 on the all weather isn’t bad overall, and she’s entitled to come on for that latest run. Place claims if doing so but seems vulnerable for win purposes with such a patchy profile.

12 ARCHIMEDES – Three lengths behind Piazon on his penultimate start over C&D but didn’t back that up when 13th over the same C&D in January off a 2lb lower mark. Patchy profile overall with a record of 1-14 so it’s impossible to recommend him at this stage, with others have far more pressing claims.