Christmas to come early for Royal Holiday
The so-called sand merchants are back at Southwell today on the fibre-sand and Lujiana could provide an upset in the Southwell-Racecourse.Co.Uk Handicap if she returns to the form she has previously showed on this track.
She won three times here earlier in the year, all three coming over five furlongs, but struggled mightily on the turf never placing higher than seventh. She’s a 4-8 lifetime runner at Southwell, indicating she likes the track and riding on a lower mark than her previous wins should help her recover the early season form.
Joe Fanning will have his work cut out on this mare but it could pay off especially if she goes off at a nice price.
Shostakovich looks the horse to beat in the Southwell Golf Club Nursery Handicap. If he runs like he did five days ago where he won here by three lengths he should be able to take this race with some ease. He hasn’t been penalised harshly by the handicapper for that win and if the cheek pieces work again he could be 2-2 at this course.
But don’t discount Henry’s Air in the same race. He’s shown some good form on the sand, finishing third both times and though his handicap might be a bit high, he seems to like racing here. A Shostakovich - Henry’s Air forecast could be worth a shot.
The one mile It's Christmas All Year Round Handicap could be Royal Holiday’s for the taking as the three-year-old has shown enough form on the fibresand to suggest he’ll run well again today.
He won a one mile handicap here in August off a mark of 57. That win subsequently pushed him up to a rating of 62 which he found too much to overcome last month, finishing fourth. He’s down to a more workable mark of 61 and with most of the field trying their hand on the fibresand for the first time, Tom Eaves should be able to steer the horse home.
Tags: