Bet of the day: Top pick at Southwell

Our punt looks worth having on the all-weather

Southwell host a snappy six-race card on the fibresand on Tuesday afternoon, with the action getting underway at 1.40pm. With the big freeze playing a part across the country, sticking to the all-weather looks to provide a safer option.

The race of interest to us is the 3.40pm handicap, decided over one-mile four-furlongs. Coral traders open the market with L’inganno Felice at the top of the list, and I must agree with their thinking on that one.

Hat-trick hero

Iain Jardine’s seven-year-old gelding was a winner on his last start, scoring over track and trip a fortnight ago, and the team arrive at Southwell chasing down a hat-trick, with a winning effort at Newcastle put up the time before.

That course and distance win saw nearest rival, and SP favourite, Come Back King trail home seven-lengths behind and if we can catch L’inganno Felice in a similar mood today, then we’ll be on to a good thing. He has been budged up 7lb in the weight as a consequence of that form, but seems more than capable of taking it on the chin.

Trading in profit

Earlier in the card and we look to start as we mean to go on with a winner. The selection to carry our stake money in the 1.40pm one-mile handicap is Daily Trader who put in a personal best last time out when enjoying a debut spin around this track.

The three-year-old gelding is yet to get his head in front from four career starts, but that effort at the tail-end of last year saw him go mighty close, ending as runner-up behind Haraka by 1 ½ lengths. That was over course and distance and he had no problems with the surface. Further progression is expected and if we see it here, we’ll go close to a winner.