HORSE RACING: Our new resident All-weather tipster Alan Thomson, former racing editor of the Daily Record, starts his new weekly column with two tips for Saturday’s race card at Southwell.
THE first-time blinkers certainly woke-up KING OF RHYTHM (3.35) for his inaugural run on Southwell’s all-weather last month and he can make his return trip to the track on Saturday another winning one.
He was always travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders and quickened up well when asked to go about his business in the final furlong. The blinds are back on and a 2lb rise seems very fair. I prefer a wide stall when the going is riding on the slow side and King of Rhythm, drawn nine, clearly handles the surface.
The 1m 4f maiden on the same card is a very moderate affair and ALL GUNS FIRING (2.00) looks primed for a big run. He didn’t shape too badly on his first sight of the Southwell sand in mid-December, staying on at only the one pace in fourth. The first two home that day, Abayaan and Outrageous Fortune, are fair yardsticks and All Guns Firing also posted a creditable effort when third to Alanbrooke and Strathcal at Sandown in midsummer when trained by Michael Jarvis. His new connections could hardly have found him a weaker race to lose that maiden tag.
Oke Bay is a danger on her Southwell second to Astroleo in the summer but ran a stinker on her return over 1m 4f here just before Christmas.
Stormy Summer falls into the same category, backing up a sound run here behind the in-form Shadows Lengthen with an absolute shocker next time. Mister Frosty would be a topical winner given the deep-freeze conditions and isn’t without hope.
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