2.55pm Southwell Tips & Betting Preview 01/01/2017

Thirteen horses line up for this Class 5 over 1m in the penultimate race at Southwell today. Read on for our expert’s thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Anton Chigurh has been a consistent performer this year and he should have the scope to run well again from a revised mark. HOUSE OF COMMONS showed promise on his debut for his new yard when third last time out and he can go a couple of places better with improvement forthcoming. His yard are in good form right now and he could be the type to win a few races of this type over the Winter given his progressive profile and he will be tough to beat. Greyfriarschorista looks well treated on old form and could make a bold bid if everything clicks today.

1 Yourartisonfire – Now 9lb below his last winning mark at Doncaster (Soft) over 1m in July. Only eleventh of 12 at Kempton at that trip eighteen days ago and needs to find plenty of improvement to figure in this making his fibresand debut today.

2 Anton Chigurh – Fair strike rate this year with three wins from 12 runs and scored over C&D as this level twenty six days ago when doing it nicely by 2½ lengths from the reopposing Gatillo. That came against slightly weaker opposition and has gone up 6lb for that win. Only won back to back races on the turf but should continue to give his running and minor money beckons.

3 House Of Commons – Showed some decent form for Paul Cole and remains lightly raced as a 3-y-o. Good third on his first run for his new yard at Wolverhampton over further twenty days ago and should continue to improve with the slight drop in trip likely to be in his favour given how behind he was last time. Makes his fibresand debut and every chance on current form.

4 Pivotman – Decent win on the turf at Nottingham (Good/Soft) three starts ago and ran well to finish second of 10 at Wolverhampton thirty seven days ago on his last start over 1m1f. The winner of that race has been well beaten in two starts since and needs to prove he can handle this surface making his debut at Southwell today but drop in trip should help and only 1lb above a previous winning mark so not out of it.

5 Greyfriarschorista – Won over C&D three times now including twice last Winter up to 7f but only patchy form recently and last two runs here don’t inspire much confidence. Back down to a winning mark however and one to note in the betting. Claims.

6 Ritasun – Won over C&D in January against better opposition and has been placed in a couple of claimers on his last two starts. Others looks to have better form coming into this and can be ignored at present. NON-RUNNER.

7 So It’s War – Losing streak stretches fifteen runs back to last year and finished down the field in twelfth of 13 on last start at Newcastle over 1m last month. Makes fibresand debut today and looks up against it on current form.

8 Gabrial The Terror – Previously trained by Richard Fahey and is a multiple winner on the AW at Wolverhampton with five wins in minor company achieving a rating of 85 in the process. Well beaten when eighth of 9 at Lingfield over much further two weeks ago when not breaking well and hasn’t won in ten runs now. Bit to prove coming into this and still 3lb above last winning mark. Likely to find this too hot again today even with cheek pieces back on (has worn them to win before).

9 Gatillo – Still a maiden after four runs and ran well to finish second on his first start for current yard since leaving George Margarson when 2½ lengths to Anton Chigurh over C&D earlier this month. Should still continue to improve for Philip McBride but not certain to convince form with that one given how he was going away at the finish and best watched for now.

10 Starfield – Has won over C&D three times with the last coming almost two years ago. Returned after a lengthy absence this Autumn and hasn’t fared well in five starts so far finishing last of 8 at Wolverhampton last time out. Looks well treated on old form but plenty to prove at present.

11 Ubla – Good winner at Kempton over 1m in August and only 3lb higher for that win now. Well below form when only fourth in a claimer at Wolverhampton over further last month and has blinkers and a tongue strap back on today. Hard to fancy judged on last two runs and others preferred with confidence in this.

12 Stun Gun – Won at this track on four occasions including over 1m last month when a ready two length winner and fair strike rate with three wins from 14 runs this year. All of those have come in Class 6 company and was well beaten when eighth of 12 behind Anton Chigurh over C&D twenty six days ago. Visor back on today but plenty to find on form against that one.

13 Rain In The Face – Previously trained by Ralph Beckett and fair form with three runner up efforts in this company earlier this year. Sent off at 66/1 making his first start for Karen Tutty at Newcastle last month and proved that price was accurate by finishing last of 14. Wears a tongue strap for the first time today and looks up against it on current form.