Not much quality today, but still a few of interest. At Folkestone the Newbury eyecatcher Lupanar ought to win the first, although I won't be getting involved at a shade of odds-on. I'll be interested to see how Figurita shapes in the second with handicaps a possibility next time, the trip and conditions she faces today probably an insufficient test. The 2-mile handicap chase is only of a poor standard, and probably shouldn't, but can't resist chucking a few quid at Olival, the relatively easy fences liable to suit this sketchy jumper.
There were only 2 I could fancy in the handicap hurdle, and the disparity in price between The Wooden Spoon and Mon Mome means that the former has to be backed at 9/1 or so. It's easy to see Mon Mome winning off a much lower hurdles mark but, just 11 days on from shaping amiss at Wincanton, 5/2 seems a little on the short side.
The Kent National (do we really need any more of these spurious local 'nationals'!) is no more than a fair handicap chase. Keepatem has been dropped a stone in the weights since his reappearance and, tried in blinkers, I think he can get back to form as he'd shaped as if retaining ability on his first run this season and might not be on the downgrade as a 12yo as much as his form figures suggest.
Just quickly as the race is about to start, at Southwell, I'm dutching Spiritual Society and Barton Sun in the first.
Olival 1pt win
The Wooden Spoon 2pts win
Keepatem 1pt win
Spiritual Society 1pt win
Barton Sun 1pt win
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"Pound for pound the greatest sportsman Britain has ever produced." John Francome on A. P. McCoy.
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