Good morning all,
Southwell is set to say goodbye to its fibresand surface. Inside the main piece you can read my thoughts on the decision. Plus, I have two for the tracker and a selection from Wincanton.
Wither fibresand
The fibresand surface at Southwell is going. It was announced yesterday that Arc, the course owners, would be moving to a tapeta surface from 2021.
Trainers voice mixed feelings
There were mixed feelings from trainers with both Mick Appleby and David Barron disappointed to see the surface going. The former told the Racing Post:
“They’ve missed a trick. If they'd gone for dirt, they could have looked at upgrading the racing and having qualifiers for races in America and Dubai”.
I can see the argument that Appleby is making but whether a dirt track would fit the bill, I’m not so sure. According to research from the USA, less equine fatalities occur on synthetic courses than on dirt so that will have likely played a part in Arc’s decision.
Some of the big Newmarket trainers, like John Gosden have given the decision their seal of approval.
In the current climate you can see why the decision to switch to tapeta surface has been made. I think it would have happened without Covid-19 but the virus has moved the decision forward.
The track has long sweeping bends and a long run in which should attract a better class of horse and some good racing. How will the decision effect the Arc owned Newcastle? Plenty of good horses have run on the tapeta at Newcastle in recent seasons, including Enable. It could well be that the big Newmarket trainers will send those better animals to Southwell rather than Newcastle, given it’s a lot closer to their base and it's not hard to think the quality of maiden races at Newcastle will suffer.
Plenty of punters and horses will be sad to see the surface disappearing. Personally, I won’t. I didn’t like the racing on the surface or the spectacle and thought the surface had outlived its usefulness.
Two for the tracker
Just the two for the tracker this week.
Don’t give up on previous eyecatcher Boldmere though. The 7-year-old was the 2/1 beaten favourite in the 3m handicap chase at Doncaster won by Rocky’s Treasure on Saturday.
He ran well for a long way and was in the lead three out before being headed and fading on the run in. The times suggest the going was soft rather than the official going description of good to soft. The holding ground have played a part in his performance or it could be the yard is struggling for winners. Whichever it is, he's worth another go.
Billingsley – Alastair Ralph
A winner of three of his four starts over fences last season. The 8-year-old was making his seasonal return in what looked a competitive handicap chase at Doncaster on Saturday. Up 7lb higher for the last of those wins at Newbury in February, he was still travelling ok in second when falling five out. Capable of better over fences and provided the fall hasn’t dented his confidence, can win again in the coming weeks.
Annie Mac – Jonjo O’Neill
A winner of three of her five starts as a novice last season. The 6-year-old could never get competitive on her seasonal reappearance in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree. She fared a little bit better when 5th of 17 in Saturday’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. Granted the mare finished a well beaten fifth but she stayed on well enough to think she will improve for a step up to 3m. There will be other days for her on soft or heavy ground.
Tuesday racing
Down to Somerset for one selection at Wincanton.
Wincanton
2:35 – There was plenty to like about Flagrant Delitiep’s second start over fences when 2nd of 11 over C&D last month. Today’s softer ground will suit the 5-year-old and I will be surprised if he isn’t able to win a handicap chase off a mark of 112.
Tuesday selection
Wincanton
2:35 – Flagrant Delitiep – – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk