4.15pm Southwell Tips & Betting Preview 23/08/2016

Our race preview looks at an interesting Handicap Hurdle at Southwell. Take a look at our betting tips below to uncover a horse who is finally ready to step up from being the bridesmaid and take their first victory.

IN SUMMARY: Ereyna has solid claims on the back of a good win in a big field Uttoxeter handicap seven weeks ago. Although she may be up to the 7lb extra rise, preference is still for KAMOOL. Graeme McPherson’s yard is going well at present and his charge has run 3 solid races since joining him, latest when no match for an empathetic winner at Market Rasen. Although still a maiden all signs are leading to a big run, and that day should be today. Bandit County could run into a place but has the tendency to hang when under pressure.

1 SINBAD THE SAILOR – Won at Huntingdon over further in May (25f, Good) and then posted a good effort on the flat when very unfortunate to be headed on the line at Doncaster last month (16.5f, Good). Its clear that the 11yo is still in good spirits and it’d be a surprise to see him run badly in this vein of form, so is definitely considered for the placings.

2 HIGH RON – Was a decent chaser at his best, but only has registered 2 hurdles starts in his career, being well beaten on both occasions. Hurdles mark isn’t an obvious gift with his form nosediving over his last 2 starts over fences and is passed over easily.

3 KAMOOL – Been running well since joining Graeme McPherson, and posted a good effort over slightly shorter here on penultimate start when beaten just under a length (22f, Good). Latest run came at Market Rasen when he was no match for a runaway winner but still ran well as he was hampered coming into the straight which didn’t aid his cause. Although he is a maiden after 14 starts, his yard is going well of present and has the assistance of the champion jockey to help him, a big run is expected.

4 PRESENCE FELT – Was in good form last year, best when finishing runner up at Kempton in November (24.5f, Good to Soft). Hasn’t been anywhere near as good this year, latest when pulling up at Market Rasen in July (23f, Good). Not in any sort of form clearly, so its impossible to recommend.

5 EREYNA – Good run latest when running on to win a big field handicap at Uttoxeter in good style (23.5f, Good). That was a very solid effort beating some decent horses, but has been raised 7lb and as Ciaran Gethings claimed 5lb the last run, none of the penalty is really offset by him. Will need to improve but that isn’t out of the question and it’d be silly to discount her chances in this.

6 BANDIT COUNTY – Runner up the last twice in novice company, latest when rapidly closing on an idling winner at Worcester in June (20f, Good). What is worrying is his tendency to hang and be very awkward when asked to win the race, he arguably could of won the race latest but hung badly and was racing very awkwardly; only really starting to close when it was too late with 75 yards to go. Could run well but its hard to trust he’ll give it everything if battling out for the win.

7 SHAIYZAR – Came back to form when routing a warm favourite over C&D latest. However he is now 7lb higher in a harder race, and he has never been the most consistent of runners. Could run well again but might be found out in a higher grade.

myracing Forecast Prices: 3/1 Kamool, 10/3 Ereyna, 4/1 Sinbad The Sailor, 11/2 Bandit County, 7/1 Shaiyzar, 10/1 Presence Felt, 16/1 High Ron