All Weather weekly round-up, including eyecatchers, Southwell announcement and Lingfield tips

After Arena Racing Company announced plans earlier in the week to replace Southwell’s Fibresand surface with Tapeta, it seems highly likely that by the end of next summer British racing will have lost one of its most distinctive products.

Love or loathe Southwell - and there are many in both camps - there is nothing else like the Fibresand surface in Britain, or indeed Ireland, and there is no doubting that it caters for a certain type of racehorse and many smaller yards that make the game pay in the winter.

High-profile trainers John Gosden and Mark Johnston have come out in favour of the switch and they will no doubt support the track in much the same way they have Newcastle, but their livelihoods aren’t at stake here and it seems inevitable that some lesser-known trainers, very capable ones at that, won’t survive this latest lightening bolt so soon after last summer's shutdown.

In terms of improving the quality of All Weather racing, it's almost certain that Southwell will be able to attract a higher calibre of horse once the Tapeta surface has been put down, and the prospect of the track now hosting some Fast Track Qualifying races for the All-Weather Championships already goes a long way to justifying the decision.

I’d guess that in a few years' time many will have forgotten the Fibresand, and will instead look at Southwell racecards in eager of anticipation at what Newmarket runners are contesting the two-year-old races, or revel at the improved quality of another All Weather meeting – much like we do with Newcastle now.

But there will be lots of punters who will miss the Fibresand dearly.

Specialising is arguably one of the best ways to streamline your betting and narrow focus on a specific area, ensuring you know everything needed to know and rarely miss a trick.

It’s why many horse players in the US specialise at certain tracks, allowing them to know the local horses inside out. Southwell, being one of a kind in this country, certainly caters for that.

Like I said earlier, many struggle to watch low-grade horses kicking sand into each other’s faces in a plethora of slow-motion finishes, but others can find an edge at Southwell and they can make it pay. This week’s developments won’t have been welcome news for those punters.

Still, there is a bigger picture to consider and if this surface does have the desired effect and transforms Southwell into one of the best All Weather tracks in the country, attracting smart horses and good-quality racing, that will be to the betterment of the sport, and the venue.

For those of us who like a bet at Southwell, we’ll just have to take our medicine and accept that times are changing.

Watson does it again

Archie Watson is certainly no flash in the pan and as the young trainer continues to grow his reputation and string, punters have wisely latched on, too.

Backing his two-year-olds doesn't feel quite as worthwhile as it used to do as layers take no chances and the odds rarely underestimate the abilities of this patently fine handler.

However, one of the most striking things about Watson is his continued success when picking up new recruits from other yards and that has been in evidence again in the last week or so.

On December 8, Stone Solider made a winning debut for the Watson stable when justifying strong market support at Southwell, while on the following Saturday Senantii Girl did the same at Newcastle.

Both horses are owned by The Cool Silk Partnership and had formerly been in the care of James Given. It will be fascinating to see if both can continue to progress, or if Watson had the pair cherry ripe on their stable debuts in an attempt to make an impression on his new owners.

Stone Solider is engaged to run back at Southwell on Friday, so that should tell us more, while I’ll be scouring Watson’s entries in the coming weeks to see if he has any more new recruits to come out of the woodwork. I suggest you do the same.

Under Wraps underwhelms

Having flagged up the debut run of Under Wraps in my first column of the winter a few weeks ago, and again last week, I was disappointed to see her only run fifth at Lingfield on Wednesday.

In fairness, she might not have shaped too badly considering she was keen under restraint when trapped on the outside from her wide draw. I suspect there is better to come from her still, but I’m not convinced she took a big step forwards on Wednesday, either, and wouldn’t be desperate to back her next time out.

On the same card, you couldn’t fail to be impressed by the attitude and turn of foot Possible Man displayed when breaking his duck at the second time of asking.

Sir Michael Stoute might have a fair prospect on his hands and like so many from the stable, further improvement should be forthcoming with another winter on his back and going up in trip next summer.

A few hours later, Bill Peyto made his second start a winning one when scoring at Kempton and he is another who might not be seen again until the spring.

Looking ahead to the weekend, the Listed Betway Quebec Stakes features on a really good card at Lingfield on Saturday where Dubai Warrior and Bangkok will renew hostilities.

Dubai Warrior has the beating of these on form, added to the fact he looked good when winning here recently, but Sangarius is a fascinating runner following wind surgery and Ryan Moore rides him for that man Stoute.

It’s a no-bet race for me, but the Betway Handicap could be worth a closer look if improving three-year-old Al Zaraqaan is overbet.

William Haggas’ colt looks a useful prospect, but I’ve not seen too many sharp Golden Horn progeny as yet and this track and level of opposition will ask different questions to those he answered so well at Doncaster and Kempton the last twice.

Pirate King has a terrific record over this course and distance and I’ll be with him if I can get an each-way price.

• All Weather Weekly: December 10
• All Weather Weekly: December 3
• All Weather Weekly: November 27