4.25pm Southwell Tips & Betting Preview 21/03/2017

A field of eight go to post for the feature race of the day at Southwell on Monday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: War Department looks to have leading claims back on the fibresand and Twin Appeal made a very promising coming back behind that rival on his latest start, but this can go to SUPERSTA. He has done well for the in form Michael Appleby yard and has been far from disgraced on his latest two starts, finishing midfield but not beaten at all far. A mark of 93 is certainly not beyond him at present and he retains Silverstre De Sousa which is a big plus. He can gain his seventh all weather victory in this for a yard that just can’t stop winning at present.

1 ASCRIPTION – Eight year old who was a group performer at his peak, finishing second in the Jury Stakes at Haydock back in May 2015 (7f, Good). He was however beaten on both his starts last year for Keith Dalgleish and makes his all weather debut today with his usual aids missing, which is of concern. Others bring much better recent form into the race and he’s very hard to fancy in this and likely best watched.

2 SUPERSTA – Has done well for the Michael Appleby yard who are bang in form at present, far from disgraced on his latest start when sixth at Wolverhampton on his latest start in the Lincoln Trial (1m, Std). He’s currently on his last winning mark and these recent efforts suggest he is slowly coming to the boil. Silverstre De De Sousa takes the ride which makes him more interesting and stall four is a good draw for him. Has to be respected and looks likely to be tough to beat.

3 OUTER SPACE – Won at Chelmsford on his penultimate start despite a troubled passage (7f, Std) and despite a 6lb rise he was far from disgraced when second over C&D on his latest start. Up in class again for this and more is certainly required from Jamie Osbourne’s six year old, who struggled on both his class two starts in 2016. If showing further improvement he’d certainly have good each way claims, but just seems vulnerable in this class.

4 WAR DEPARTMENT – Has won twice on the all weather, both of those at Newcastle with the latest of those coming on his penultimate start over the seven furlong trip. He won easily that day and despite a 6lb rise, he was a close second over the same C&D seven days later. He has only ran once on the fibresand, finishing second over C&D back in January behind Custard The Dragon. More is needed off a mark 90 up in class but he remains in good form and cannot be discounted for Keith Dalgleish. Needs to be respected.

5 QUIXOTE – Last start for Tony Carroll on his latest start when fourth at Kempton, only headed with 75 yards to go and was highly unlucky not to take victory (7f, Std to Slw). He remains on that mark for his first start for David Loughnane and looks well handicapped on fibresand debut if looking at his exploits in France for Simon Stokes. Interesting runner who has a good draw in stall three and can make his presence felt under 7lb claimer Ger O’Neill. Needs considering.

6 TWIN APPEAL – Returned from a five month absence when a promising third at Newcastle behind Via Via, only a neck behind War Department on that occasion (7f, Std). He has been raised a pound for that effort and is one pound better off with that aforementioned rival, with race fitness now on his side for David Barron. Still unexposed on all weather surfaces and looks a likely main contender with Philip Makin taking the ride, as any improvement from that reappearance will see him go very close in this.

7 SIR BILLY WRIGHT – In good form here the last twice, winning over the five furlong trip in February and despite a 4lb rise he was a close third over the same C&D two weeks ago with the winner adopting new tactics which were clearly effective. Going back up in trip is unlikely to be an issue as he’s proven his stamina in the past, but others can easily be seen as better treated, as he’s never been able to overcome a mark this high in the past. Place claims for David Evans and Andrew Mullen but looks vulnerable for win purposes from the widest draw.

8 DUSKY DAWN – Course winner who won very cosily at Newcastle twelve days ago, winning by three lengths under hands and heels from today’s rider Joe Fanning (7f, Std). Against the boys now up in a higher class which makes things much more difficult, as does a 5lb rise for that latest win. She does remain with potential though as a lightly raced five year old and isn’t one to discount for the in form Alan Swinbank team. Place claims at the very least.