Free racing tips: Dave Massey's Southwell bets for Friday

Recommended bets

1pt e.w. double Sharrabang in 7.15 Southwell at 5/1 & Jazz Legend in 7.45 Southwell at 4/1 (both minimum 4/1)

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Madness Not To Back It - Nightboattoclyro 11.55 Doncaster

Fun fact - Night Boat To Cairo, the Madness track this song was all but named after, was in fact one of four tracks on their “Work Rest and Play” EP, which looked like a single but did in fact have to be played at album speed, 33⅓. I know this because on the night of our Parkside Junior School Disco, I took my copy along to be played, only for some PTA Dad that had been put in charge of the stereo to play it at 45, and make Madness sound like Pinky And Perky. My protestations fell on deaf ears. Funny the things you remember from your childhood, innit?

Anyway, I digress. We know that following the David Dennis/Tom Symonds angle this season has more than paid its way, so how about one moving from David to Sam Drinkwater? Is that not worth at least a second look?

It isn’t as if Nightboattoclyro hasn’t already shown ability, having sprung a 50/1 surprise when scoring in a novice hurdle at Chepstow last season, and looked like he didn’t stay the trip when beaten just under 10l on his handicap debut over 21½f at Ludlow last year. To that end, it is interesting to see his new trainer bring him back to the minimum trip, which we think could be a good move, and also that Jack Tudor - on board for his win - retains the ride despite the switch of yard.

He’s joined a yard in superb form at the moment, and should be a decent price, with the lightly-raced Hooper, from the Nicky Henderson yard, and Hazzaar, likely to take a fair share of the market. Anything north of 14/1 would be a bet so let’s hope he makes a Grey Day into One Better Day, and doesn’t prove an Embarrassment of a selection. I’m here all week, try the veal.

Rantin’ Rory D - Muqarred 4.15 Southwell

I love talking about Southwell with Rory, as it gives him numerous opportunities to start ranting (“there’s TWO divisions of this?”) and it always gives me the opportunity to mention sectionals, at which point he normally falls out with himself about how they are often presented badly on TV. It amuses me, and I do it on purpose now.

The question here is not whether Muqarred is on the downgrade these days - he is - but to what extent, and are there reasons to think he might be able to halt the slide to some extent today?

The change of headgear from blinkers to cheekpieces does at least give you a reason why the latter part of the question might happen, and there was the very slightest of indications that he’s not totally out of love with the game when a staying-on fifth over C&D last time. That form gives him plenty to find with one or two of these, but in a field where plenty will be held up, he may be able to race more prominently than has been the case. Stall 12 should ensure smooth passage and a good position around that final bend, with not much in the way of pace around him, and if he’s a 33s chance again, I’ll be trying a small e/w bet, with extra places on offer.

Solid Southwell Stalwarts - Sharrabang 7.15 Southwell & Jazz Legend 7.45 Southwell

Two divisions of this 6f handicap close off the card, and it gives us a good opportunity for an each-way double, with a couple looking pretty much guaranteed to run their races.

Sharrabang didn’t stay the mile here earlier in the week and is immediately dropped back to 6f, a trip at which he has a much better record here, having finished runner-up on all three starts at it. His two starts here in November saw him finish second to two improved sorts on the Fibresand this winter, and although there’s the potential for Dark Side Dream to improve at 6f, that isn’t a given, and this does look a slightly easier contest.

Badger Berry looks a favourite to take on in the second division, as he’s dropping back from a mile to 6f, and that does not look a positive in our eyes. First Excel was given strong consideration, given his overall record here, but stall one is slightly off-putting and Jazz Legend, in stall 12, looks sure to lead out wide and might have better track position in the straight.

His overall record at the track is also very good, placed in almost half of his starts on the surface, and he comes here off the back of two very solid efforts. He looks sure to be in the shake-up again.

Both races are available with extra places, but we will play the e/w double with three places.

Posted at 1800 GMT on 10/12/20

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