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Ashforth's Angles: Back to earth at Southwell

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Samurai Way Southwell 23.03.2010

Southwell: not just about the all-weather, apparently

  PICTURE: Martin Lynch  

 By David Ashforth 6:40PM 20 MAR 2016 

Right, that’s enough of that (Cheltenham). Now it’s down to earth (Southwell, Taunton, Kelso).

It’s disappointing that Willie Mullins hasn’t thought fit to give Scottish racefans a chance to see Annie Powers, Vautour, Douvan or any of his other stars race at Kelso even though I don’t suppose any of them are doing much today except standing around while someone pats them and says, “Who’s a clever girl/boy then? Would you like another mint?”

There’s still plenty to engage our interest. If you have been reading these things – I don’t suppose you have – you’ll know that the 4.50 at Southwell holds particular interest.

At the risk of repeating myself (at my age it gets difficult to remember), Antiphony has devoted his recent outings to engaging Richard Johnson in a wrestling match.

There was a cracking display of grappling on their most recent contest at Kempton (Antiphony won on points) and trainer Philip Hobbs has decided to give Conor Smith (7) another chance on the over-exuberant gelding. On his previous chance, at Exeter in December, the pair fell. Good luck.

When the name Southwell appears my first thought is ‘all-weather’ and I have to adjust to the idea of a jumps meeting, even though jumps meetings were once held on the all-weather track.

Which horse, runner up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and winner of the Martell Aintree Hurdle, beating the mighty Istabraq, won its first two hurdle races on the fibresand at Southwell?

The answer is Pridwell, in January 1994. Later that month Martin Pipe’s four-year-old won a Grade 2 Hurdle at Cheltenham. It’s worth remembering, in case it comes up in a quiz.

The main feature at Kelso, sadly, is the continued absence of Lucy Alexander, who has been plagued by injuries. The latest was the result of an unlucky unseat from Benny’s Secret, who reappears under Brian Harding in the opening maiden hurdle (2.00).

With his latest form figures of FFU and an official rating of 104, it doesn’t look promising but Benny’s Secret has the ability to win a small hurdle race and this is a small one, full of modesty. It will be interesting to see how he fares.

I hope Alexander’s back soon and, if you’re quick, you’ll be able to watch both Benny’s Secret’s race and the opening novices’ hurdle at Taunton (2.10).

Rock On Oscar will be odds-on and the only opponent fit to lick his hooves is Fortunate George, who is an inadequate looking 7lb better off for the 19 length beating Rock On Oscar inflicted on him at Kempton in November.

Better jumping by Fortunate George could close the gap but the thing to do is to put all your earthly possessions, if you’ve got any, on Fortunate George for a place on an exchange, and hope he doesn’t fall victim to a mishap.

If he does, there’s always what Ernest Hemingway memorably called “the sovereign remedy for all misfortunes”. That was death, which was perhaps why Hemingway shot himself.

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

 

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