15:50 Than concludes our coverage at a very cold Southwell where, at least, racing did go ahead.
Tomorrow we will have some more all weather action, this time from Kempton Park.
Until then good afternoon.
15:46 We started with a six furlong sprint and we closed with a six furlong sprint – but that is where any similarity ends.
In our opener we saw a bold front running performance, whilst in the finale we had a classic late finishing result.
Red Cape set off in front and led until two out when the challengers came, initially in the shape of Lethal who soon faded, then Xpres Mate and Charles Parnell who both opened the throttle in the final furlong.
Xpres Mate was certainly the stronger of the two, giving Dane O’Neill a double on the afternoon, although Charles Parnell did battle on well.
The pair finished six lengths ahead of their rivals.
The favourite, Jack Rackham, was never in contention and was the first beaten. He managed to eventually come home fifth but only running on past tired horses.
15:23 As a follow-up to our last race, winning jockey Tony Hamilton has picked up a two day ban for excessive use of the whip.
15:12 As someone who has never ridden a horse I am always very loath to criticise jockeys.
However one cannot help but feel that had First Order been ridden by someone other than his owner and trainer Ann Stokell the result of the race may have been different.
Ms Stokell takes the view that if she wishes to ride her own horses then she will do so and she is, of course, perfectly within her rights so to do.
In addition her supporters are rewarded with better odds than would be the case had another rider been on board.
This five furlong sprint was the “feature” of the afternoon and halfway it was impossible to call the winner with five of the runners running line abreast.
Eventually it was the favourite Rebel Duke who got first run with the aforementioned Ms Stokell’s First Order the only challenger.
With the eventual winning margin being only half a length the what if’s must be resounding around betting shops across the nation.
14:45 Another mile and a half contest, this time a claimer. Although to call it a race would be something of a misnomer as they came home well strung out.
We also saw our second odds-on favourite of the afternoon, although unlike the earlier race backers of the favourite had no worries.
Dan Cantillion’s La Estrella was looking for a four timer and to extend his unbeaten record at the course. Today he had a stablemate to set the pace in the shape of My Mirasol and the mare did exactly what was asked of her, setting a good pace.
St Savarin was the one to chase the leader, whilst Dane O’Neil dropped the favourite in towards the rear.
Half a mile from home St Savarin got his head in front but had Fergus Sweeney looked over his shoulder he would have see the favourite on his quarters, tracking his every move.
Entering the home straight the three, as the pace setter was still to the fore, had a clear lead over the remainder.
My Mirasol, unsurprisingly, was the first to crack and approaching a furlong out the favourite was well clear. So clear that Dane O’Neil was able to ease his mount in the final half furlong and still record a six length victory.
La Estrella took the runners-up spot, whilst My Mirasol held on to take third spot.
14:32 Tip of the day - don't go outside without any headgear. It is very cold outside and I forgot to put my hat on - not a good idea when you have not had need for a comb for thirty years.
I think I have now met every racegoer individually - it is that busy here this afternoon.
14:21 Finally some respite for favourite backers in our fourth contest, a mile and a half handicap.
Joint favourite Benedict Spirit under 3lb claimer Ashley Morgan maintained his unbeaten record at the Nottinghamshire track. He had to work hard for victory and it was only inside the final furlong that he managed to get his head decisively in front.
The story of the race revolves around Prince Golan, under Alex Edwards, who put in a ride that belied his inexperience. Prince Golan took a strong hold from the start then, to add to his problems, the saddle slipped forward after four furlongs. Halfway down the back straight he had a six length lead but it was a question of when he would run himself into the ground.
As they turned for home he was headed by Benedict Spirit and the other joint favourite My Friend Fritz, with the latter having a narrow advantage. Prince Golan did rally briefly when headed but the top two in the betting ran on again.
A good battle ensued until Morgan edged ahead and this seemed to dispirit the other joing favourite as he backed off and was beaten into second place by Chookie Hamilton.
13:44 Well something of a shock in our third contest, a 7 furlong, four runner claimer.
Smalljohn was sent off the 1/3 favourite and ended up being comprehensively beaten into third place.
As usual he set off in front and had a reasonable lead down the back, however Darren Williams sat behind him on second favourite Madison Belle.
As they turned for home Madison Belle put it to the favourite and edged into the lead. Clear two out he crossed to the far rail and ran on well with Smalljohn seemingly unable or unwilling to fight.
Madison Belle ran on well and the 50/1 outsider Art Discovery even managed to overhaul the jolly in the closing stages.
No surprise to hear the trainer of the favourite Brian Smart has been called in for a chat with the stewards.
13:18 Looking at the “crowd” here this afternoon, it is probably best described as sparse, no more than a couple of hundred hardy stalwarts. The fish and chip shop is doing a good trade and I must admit a tray of chips with gravy was very warming.
13:16 Our second contest, a mile handicap, produced what can be described as a more “traditional” all weather finish with the winner coming from off the pace.
The pace was set by Rub Of The Relic, easily distinguished with his bright orange visor. He held the lead until they turned for home, where he was joined by the favourite Transmission.
As they came off the bend into the home straight the favourite looked to be the best of the field as he led. He still looked the likely winner a furlong out but Robert Winston had launched Mambo Sun with a late run, taking the lead half a furlong from home and beating the favourite by 1½ lengths.
Another running on horse, in the shape of Betteras Bertie took third place.
12:43 Well at least there is some racing today and it was a 6 furlong handicap which started proceedings.
Unusually for the all weather we saw a front running performance, in the shape of Charlotte Grey under Chris Catlin. Although it has to be said two out it looked as though he was going to be swamped as Head To Head and the old timer Nautical both mounted sturdy challenges, which looked as though they would be successful.
However all credit to the winner as he bravely stayed on to record a 3¾ length victory as Head To Head seemed to tire and Nautical was only able to run on at the one pace.
Of the remainder nothing stood out and they finished in a heap, although Phinerine (who missed the break) managed to take fourth place and if he can break better may well improve.
the favourite Mister Incredible ended up stuck behind runners and was never able to mount a challenge.
12:00 Good afternoon from a very chilly Southwell where the temperature is currently -1.
The weather is bright with some clouds and the tractors are out furrowing the course.
The official going is an unusual standard to slow
We currently have four non-runners, details on the right.
Return to race archive: |
Non-Runners
12:40
2 Woqoodd (runny nose - SC)
9 Majestic Cheer (not eaten up - SC)
10 Neat 'N Tidy (not eaten up - SC)
1:10
9 Abbeygate (not eaten up - SC)
Results
12:40
1st 6 Charlotte Grey 8/1
2nd 7 Nautical 40/1
3rd 5 Head To Head 12/1
11 Ran NR's 2 , 9 & 10
Distances 3 3/4 & neck
Fav 1 Mister Incredible 9/4 (upl)
Tote
Win £9.90
Place £2.60 £7.70 £3.50
Exacta £272.60
CSF £287.86
Tricast £3,844.83
Time 1' 18.93"
1:10
1st 2 Mambo Sun 8/1
2nd 1 Transmission 15/8 fav
3rd 8 Betteras Bertie 3/1
10 Ran NR 9
Distances 1 1/2 & 1/2
Fav second
Tote
Win £7.70
Place £2.20 £1.80 £1.20
Exacta £31.00
CSF £21.68
Tricast £55.02
Time 1' 45.94"
1:40
1st 2 Madison Belle 3/1
2nd 3 Art Discovery 50/1
4 Ran
Distances 5
Fav 1 Smalljohn 1/3 (3rd)
Tote
Win £2.70
Exacta £44.50
CSF £43.17
Time 1' 33.37"
2:10
1st 4 Benedict Spirit 7/4 jf
2nd 2 Chookie Hamilton 6/1
6 Ran
Distances 1 1/2
Fav winner & No 1 (3rd)
Tote
Win £2.30
Place £1.40 £2.90
Exacta £10.10
CSF £11.83
Time 2' 46.96"
2:40
1st 1 La Estrella 1/3 fav
2nd 2 St Savarin 100/30
6 Ran
Distances 6
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.70
Place £1.02 £1.80
Exacta £1.80
CSF £1.59
Time 2' 45.8"
3:10
1st 4 Rebel Duke 11/8 fav
2nd 3 First Order 16/1
7 Ran
Distances 1/2
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.10
Place £1.30 £6.30
Exacta £21.20
CSF £24.07
Time 1' 0.89"
3:40
1st 4 Xpres Mate 5/1
2nd 3 Charles Parnell 7/2
7 Ran
Distances 1 3/4
Fav 6 Jack Ratham 7/4 (5th)
Tote
Win £6.70
Place £3.40 £2.40
Exacta £31.60
CSF £23.16
Time 1' 16.87" |
