3.10pm Southwell Tips & Betting Preview 24/01/2017

10 useful handicappers go to post for the fourth race of the day at Southwell, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This could turn into a grudge match between the closely matched Razin’ Hell and MEADWAY, with preference for the latter. Back to form off this mark he’s won off in the past on his latest start just behind that rival, he’s likely to go well again today with a slight wait pull and has to be respected. It will be no easy task, but with no likely easy lead for Razin’ Hell that certainly swings the vote to the Bryan Smart trained runner with Connor Beasley taking the ride.

1 LIGHTSCAMERAACTION – Listed race winner at Lingfield back in February (5f, Std) but has been a mixed bag since, posting two poor efforts since returning to the all weather. He was far too keen on his latest start at Newcastle (5f, Std) and makes his fibresand debut off a mark 4lb below his last winning mark. Surely capable of better but there is a lot to take on trust today and possibly best watched with several crucial doubts for today’s race.

2 ENCORE D’OR – Progressive on the all weather with a record of 4-7, with his latest win coming at Chelmsford on his penultimate start (5f, Std). Raised 6lb for that and wasn’t disgraced off his new mark when not having the smoothest of passages, no chance with the winner that day at Lingfield (5f, Std). Makes his fibresand debut which raises some question marks but there is no reason to believe he wont take to it and inform Joe Fanning takes the ride (6-34 in the past two weeks), so has to be respected.

3 BOWSON FRED – Needs to prove himself on this surface and wasn’t at his best when fifth at Newcastle two weeks ago (5f, Std), not able to quicken with the leaders. Will need to find more off this mark as he’s never won off one so high, which is a slight concern. There is a suspicion he’ll need the handicapper to be kinder to him before he can win again though if taking to the surface he’d have good place claims if at his best.

4 POYLE VINNIE – Losing run of 21 races at present though he’s ran respectably the last twice to place, the latest of which when third at Newcastle (6f, Std). Drop back in trip is likely to help and the cheekpieces are refitted, though he’s now been raised 3lb for his latest effort. Former C&D winner though who is entitled to go well but others have stronger claims and it is hard to get excited about his chances with how long it has been between drinks. Likely to be involved but seems vulnerable for win purposes.

5 DISTANT PAST – A winner last month at Newcastle (5f, Std) but struggled off his new 5lb higher mark when fifth at Chelmsford earlier this month, never able to get involved (5f, Std). Will certainly need more today if he wants to be involved and this new mark looks challenging for him, now at a near career high. Others have more obvious claims and likely to need the handicapper to relent before he can win again, with him being untested on fibresand another question mark.

6 MEADWAY – Three times a winner here and wasn’t disgraced when chasing home Razin’ Hell over C&D on New Year’s Day, who had the run of the race. Races off the same mark today which is the mark of his last victory (albeit on turf) and is entitled to go very well again with Connor Beasley on board. Stall four is a good draw and and should be able to get prominent from an early stage to launch his challenge in the home straight, so has to be respected.

7 SHOWDAISY – Four time winner since joining this yard, including over C&D back in November. Now 7lb above that mark and although placing the time after at Newcastle (5f, Std), she struggled over C&D latest when behind Razin’ Hell, never involved. Stall 7 doesn’t look a gift if she’s to be prominent early and this mark does look quite high, which are both concerns but its hard to rule her out with how well Keith Dalgleish’s yard are going at present (4-12 in the past two week). Place claims but looks vulnerable in terms of the win.

8 RAZIN’ HELL – Continued his remarkable record here when winning over C&D on New Year’s Day, beating Meadway after battling on gamely. Up 2lb and has leading claims once again, though this mark is now a new career high and he does need to show more if he’s to take this. Will need to bolt out of the gates to get to the lead from Stall 9 but it shouldn’t be discounted and he has to be given the utmost respect as he bids for his eighth win here at Southwell.

9 TOP BOY – Finished second at Chelmsford in October (5f, Std) but hasn’t been at his best since, poor on all four runs since. Handicapper continues to be slow to relent and a mark of 82 still looks tough with it still 4lb higher than his last winning mark. Makes his fibresand debut with question marks to answer and others have more convincing claims, so probably best watched.

10 LADY NAYEF – Completed the hat-trick at Lingfield on his latest start (5f, Std to Slw) eleven days ago, though this is much tougher and she competes from outside the handicap. Hollie Doyle takes off a useful 5lb and the John Butler yard are in form at present, but this will take a mighty effort to defy a mark of 79 from out of the handicap so is probably best watched today.