Free racing tips: Best bets for Sunday January 3 at Southwell

Racing betting tips: Sunday, January 3

1pt win Zylan in 2.10 Southwell at 14/1 (minimum 12/1)

1pt win Momtalik in 3.15 Southwell at 5/1 (minimum 7/2)

0.5pts e.w Milldean Felix in 3.45 Southwell at 40/1 (minimum 28/1 1/5 1,2,3)

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2.10 Southwell

A fascinating race to try and unpick. Vape and Spring Romance met here two weeks ago, the former coming out on top after looking held with a furlong to run, but showed a good attitude to get back up. Vape has the one stall, not always helpful, so will need to go forward and might have Dark Shot to keep him company.

Samovar finally got his head in front here on Friday but has the penalty to carry for that, which might be enough to stop him following up. So, at the risk of banging our heads against a wall, it’s one more try for the well-handicapped Zylan, now he drops back to 6f.

It was around this time last year that he refound form, winning over 6f and going close a couple of further times before the handicapper put the brakes on his progress. He’s slipped down the handicap to a very good-looking mark now, and a strong-run 6f will be ideal. In fact, his best run on the Fibresand this season came here in November on the one occasion he’s tried 6f, finishing fourth, and if he can’t get competitive today, then we are going to have to cut him loose as far as punting goes.

3.15 Southwell

Happy New Year, low-grade Fibresand lovers! Southwell spoil us with not one but TWO 0-50’s to finish the card off with, and of course, they are both worth some attention.

True Companion would be quite interesting if he rocked up after his Friday exertions. That was his first start for Roger Fell, and it very much looked a sighter around here, staying on up the far rail to finish sixth. The two-day turnaround is a question, but he has won in the past turned out again within a week, and he has to be taken seriously if he does run.

Purple Sandpiper might have improvement to come after just five starts, but Momtalik’s third to Luscifer here last time looks the best piece of recent form on show, and a reproduction of that alone might be enough. He was better class than this a year ago, finishing third here over a mile from a mark of 66, and looks to be on the way back to form. That last effort is working out well, with third home Geography Teacher and fifth Maykir winning since, and he should take plenty of beating from his wide draw.

3.45 Southwell

This looks a bit more open than the previous 0-50. Drew Breeze is likely to be favourite, or near favourite, and he does have back-class to call upon, but it was a weak effort here last time when he had a lot in his favour, and he looks worth opposing.

On The Rhine wouldn’t have to be much good to take a hand on his first start for Rebecca Menzies, but this will be his first start since August, and he may need it. He steps in markedly in trip, but his pedigree gives hope. Essentially, you’re guessing, he could be any price you like between 3-1 and 33-1, but at this stage, it’s dangerous putting the red pen through him.

Arla Rose and Coup De Gold both have runs here this winter that would give them a shout but at three times the price so does Milldean Felix, and he might be the one to try given odds of 33/1 and bigger. A record of zero wins and zero places from 17 starts will be more than enough to put most (sane?) people off, but his close fourth over 1½m here in October 2019 is a very good effort in the context of this race, and would give him a big chance. He’s shown patchy form in four runs after a long break for his new yard, but the best of his efforts came here, and he’s been over the wrong trip on two of his last three starts. This 1m3f should be ideal, and while he’s only poor, a return to even his modest best would see him in with a chance in what is a very weak contest.

Posted at 1745 GMT on 02/02/21

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