"Cloud" to provide a ray of sunshine for punters at Southwell today when Richard Fahey's charge faces five rivals in the nursery over five furlongs. It's the only straight course on our English all-weather racing circuit. Bet you didn't realise that. Not a bad quiz question, eh? On my time-handicap, Crimson Cloud, a winner over the minimum trip at Lingfield last month, is clear best-in, judging by his recent effort on Kempton polytrack, when beaten a neck by much-improved, Insolenceofoffice.
Ability-wise, therefore, Crimson Cloud can't be seriously opposed. Will he replicate his career-best performance on fibresand? That's the crux but Fahey is, definitely, no guesser and I'll bet he gets it right, yet again, at the end of what has been a fabulous year for his heavily-populated, Malton stable.It's necessary for local trainers to support this local racecourse and Dandy Nicholls, new to the area, has certainly taken the obvious on board. He fields three of the seven decs for the £9000 totesport.com Handicap over five furlongs but in opposition is Bonnie Prince Charlie, a former inmate!
Nicholls recently took over a yard close to the Nottinghamshire course, it's now his satellite base; saves transporting from Thirsk repeatedly and is a solid, common sense initiative. Recent course winner, Bonnie Prince Charlie, was originally with Barry Hills, won for "Dandy" but was bought out of a seller at May and sent to Brian Ellison; "Blue" always appealed as a sprinter on the 'deep stuff' with his lovely flowing action and I'll bet I'm proved right, and Nicholls wrong to let him go! Should be fascinating and then I'll be getting into Mediterranean Sea for the nine-runner totesport.com Handicap over eleven furlongs. A cracking each-way bet. Weight is the factor on fibresand, apprentice Adam Carter takes off 7lbs allowance in division two of the 'aged' six furlongs handicap when partnering course and distance winner Final Salute for rejuvenated Hambleton trainer, Brian Smart. What beats them will win!