Fine Form
It could prove difficult to keep
Art Patron SO – 7.00
out of the frame in the Win #1M With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Fillies’ Handicap at Southwell.
Andrew Balding’s three-year-old paints quite a compelling case on handicap debut having shaped with huge promise in some red-hot events as a juvenile.
Although well held on her first start, she showed the usual progress expected from a Kingsclere youngster to run a respectable race behind 1000 Guineas hope Formal at Newbury before going on to make the podium behind Sandtrap and Jowddah at Salisbury.
Sandtrap ended last season by finishing a close-up second in a Deauville Group Three and is held in the highest regard by connections, so an opening mark of 73 could seriously underestimate Art Patron’s potential, with the picture soon to become much clearer.
Ollie Sangster’s
Nazuki SO – 7.30
has shown a real liking for Southwell in two starts so far and having impressed here in November could take all the beating despite a penalty as she makes her return in the BetMGM: It’s Showtime Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
The daughter of Earthlight recovered from a slow start to chase home a nice type in How Lovely first time up at this venue in October and then pulled clear to prevail by a comfortable three lengths the following month as an odds-on favourite.
The Flat action on turf is at Pontefract, where defending champion
Justus PO – 3.02
can hopefully bounce back to form in the Jamaican Flight Handicap.
Micky Hammond’s charge looked to be struggling for pace a couple of times in this two miles and two furlongs marathon last term but ended up staying on strongly to reel in well-backed favourite Maxident close home and a similar effort could suffice.
David Loughnane’s
Partisan Hero PO – 5.12
has been running well on the all-weather, scoring at Kempton last time, and is worth following back on grass in the Racing TV Sky Channel 424 Handicap.
He was a game winner at Gowran Park for Dermot Weld in September 2023 and finished a fine second at Windsor on his first start in Britain before switching to sand.
Jumping comes from Carlisle, where Donald McCain has claims in the Racing TV Maiden Hurdle with
Cahier’s Den CL – 2.50
The five-year-old son of Idaho has been knocking on the door of late and is worth persevering with over an intermediate trip.
Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s
Finn Lough CL – 3.20
is capable of throwing in the odd poor performance, but on his day would take plenty of beating in the Derek Cannon 80 Not Out Novices’ Handicap Chase.
The Cheshire-based training team are also worth following in the Lazonby Handicap Hurdle with
Mr Yeats CL – 3.50
who is falling down the handicap and worth chancing on his first start for new connections down in distance.
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