A couple of winners and a non-runner in last week’s trixie has done our confidence no harm so, once again, this week we’ve selected three horses that we hope will be gracing the winners’ enclosure with their presence on Thursday.
The first of them, Fujin, runs in the opening 12.40 at Southwell and can confirm earlier course and distance form with Fortinbrass on identical terms. Shaun Harris’ five-year-old made all to beat his old rival by 2¼ lengths in December and, having run creditably in defeat off his revised mark at Wolverhampton on both subsequent starts, there appears no reason why it shouldn’t be a similar story this time.
Five times course winner Kung Hei Fat Choy hasn’t been at his best lately, but showed signs of resurgence when third of eight, beaten 8½ lengths, in a claiming stakes race over a mile early in the New Year and is too well treated in the 2.55 to ignore. The Elusive Quality gelding was only beaten 1½ lengths, off a 1lb higher mark, in a 0-95 handicap over course and distance in March and has 9lb and upwards in hand of his rivals.
In the 3.30, Billy Bond hacked up by 13 lengths over course and distance last week and cannot realistically be opposed under a 6lb penalty, especially dropping back into 0-65 company. The Monsieur Bond gelding is likely to face a hike in the weights once the handicapper has his say, but can strike again while the iron is hot.
Let’s hope that this week’s trixie goes a step better than the last. It won’t be long now before we start turning our gaze towards tips opportunities around the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National, so exciting times ahead.
Selections: Southwell 12.40 Fujin, Southwell 2.55 Kung Hei Fat Choy, Southwell 3.30 Billy Bond, 1-point Win Patent (3 x 1-point Win Singles, 3 x 1-point Win Doubles, 1 x 1-point Win Treble)
