17:00
Southwell (AW)
Odds correct as of 11:39am 16th Oct
Stable form is always an important factor to consider when trying to pick out winners. Britain’s most in-form trainer in the last 14 days is operating at a strike-rate of 75 per cent and she has just one runner on Thursday. Ann Duffield is the trainer in question and she will be looking to add to her tally of three winners from just four runners. Set to line up at Southwell, her sole representative is surely one for the notebook. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Azucena returned to winning ways at Newcastle last time out, which left Duffield with some explaining to do with the stewards. Racing prominently throughout, he kept on well with the rail to guide him and pulled clear to score by just shy of two lengths clear.
Life will be harder having been whacked with a 6lb rise here but his first career success did come off 67 back in October 2022. It would be unwise to rule out further success, especially when considering the yard’s recent form.
Kevin Frost’s runner Papa Don’t Preach is likely to provide some stiff competition under a 5lb penalty and the lightly raced Lady Nunthorpe should be winning races before long. Recent novice winner Soul Singer shouldn’t be ruled out either as the penny hasn’t quite dropped in handicap company yet but better is expected once it does.
The fact that both of Azucena’s wins have come on the all-weather certainly bodes well for his chances. Perhaps he is starting to prosper having had wind surgery in the spring and there could be more to come.
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