Southwell has always been a specialist track. Some horses act there and others don’t. This hasn’t really changed since the switch to Tapeta. With this in mind, we’ve picked out three course specialists with excellent track records to consider on Friday. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Primo (5-1, bet365) races off 6lb higher than when winning over course and distance last time. That rise would be a concern if it wasn’t for his excellent track record. In three starts here at Southwell, he has won twice and both of those wins have come in his last three starts. It’s also worth mentioning that his only poor effort here came over 7f and this horse has done all his winning over 5f. Roger Fell’s charge goes up in grade here out of necessity and there could be more to come from this three-year-old.
Custard The Dragon (12-1, bet365) is part of the furniture here at Southwell. This legend has run here a mammoth 32 times, winning nine and placing on a further nine occasions. His last course and distance win was just three starts ago, suggesting the old fire still burns. Has a fair absence to overcome but if he can do so anywhere, it’ll be here.
Thrave (6-1, bet365) has an excellent record here at Southwell having won or placed in eight of his nine starts at the track. Granted most of these came before the surface changed but he did finish second off this very mark here five starts ago. This suggests that it’s the track he likes and not the surface. Appears under a 4lb penalty having won at Kempton last time out despite the fact that he’s only due to go up 2lb. The mere fact that he runs would be a sign of confidence on that evidence.
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