3.00pm Southwell Tips & Betting Preview 07/03/2017

A field of seven will make their way to post for this marathon handicap at Southwell on Tuesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This looks competitive with both Eurato and Pinwood bringing some good form into the race, but that form is unlikely to be enough to stop KATIE GALE today. Placing here behind some progressive rivals the last twice, she remains on the same mark and drops down in grade for today’s run. This almost certainly looks easier for her and she is now 4lb below her last winning mark, seeing her nicely treated on previous form. She looks to be hard to beat for the in form Michael Appleby and has to be respected.

1 KATIE GALE – Has been running well of late, placing on both her last two runs and the form of those runs looks very solid. On her penultimate start, she was second to subsequent winner Fern Owl here (2m, Std) in December and on her latest start she finished third over the same C&D a month ago, behind again Fern Owl and Start Seven (she was well clear of the remainder). She remains on the same mark as that latest run and looks to have very strong claims as a C&D winner. She is now 4lb below her last winning mark and is down in grade, so looks the likely winner with all things considered.

2 SAMTU – Hasn’t been seen for 206 days which is an immediate question mark, but he did win this race in 2015 off a 4lb lower mark and is an interesting contender today. Last seen finishing second behind Cosmeapolitan at Newbury in August (1m 4f, Good to Firm), he does have sound form claims if returning at his best. Hard to know whether he is fit though and he is entitled to need this, so he is likely best watched today, though watching the market will be crucial as always.

3 EURATO – Has been running consistently well this season, finishing second on all three of his starts, including his latest when unable to live with the improving Lost The Moon at Chelmsford in February (1m 5f, Std). Only raised a pound for that effort and he is entitled to go well again for Steve Gollings with Adam Kirby taking the ride, though there has to be a suspicion he may just find another too good as he continues to creep up the ratings. Likely to be in their swinging and has to be respected, but he does need more for win purposes.

4 SPIRITOFTOMINTOUL – Below best on the tapeta this year and despite being on an attractive mark since the New Year, he has been unable to capitalise and once again never looked threatening at Wolverhampton three weeks ago (1m 5f, Std). He has something to prove back on fibresand despite the Tony Carroll yard going well at present and it’s hard to see him winning this with what he has shown this season. Another supporting role beckons today.

5 PINWOOD – Has been in good form this year for Adam West, winning at Lingfield and causing a 25/1 surprise in the process back in January (1m 5f, Std). Despite a 6lb rise, he ran another good race when almost making all at Chelmsford a month later (2m, Std) and the same was almost the case when gunned down late at Lingfield seven days ago (1m 5f, Std). He remains on the same mark today and should be able to get across to lead from stall six. There is a question mark though with this being his fibresand debut, but if handling the surface he looks booked to go close under John Egan. Has to be respected.

6 NOGUCHI – Has been runner up here on both his starts at the venue this year, with his latest second over slightly shorter another good effort by the likeable old timer (1m 4f, Std). He remains on the same mark today and looks a likely player if in the same vein of form back up in trip, especially with Silverestre De Sousa taking over the ride (he is 3-5 on this twelve year old). Looks likely to run another good race and has to be respected, especially from stall two.

7 TEMPURAN – Yet to threaten in three all weather starts this season and although he was third at Lingfield on his latest start, he was beaten around seven lengths and dropped away quickly when headed (1m 7f, Std). On that evidence going back down in trip should suit and if building on that effort he could have place possibilities on fibresand debut. Now 3lb below his last winning mark and deserves a second look, but he does seem likely to find one to good in this.