Southwell Preview: Abi poised to land hat-trick

Abi Scarlet has a a superb record at Southwell and can further enhance it with victory in the 6f handicap on today’s card (2.10).

The Scott Dixon trained mare has won nine of her 16 starts at the venue, and eight of those have come over this afternoon’s trip.

The six-year-old is a real fibresand lover, and comes into the contest at the top of her game following back-to-back wins at the track in a claimer and a seller.
Although now pitched back into handicap company, Abi Scarlet looks very well-treated off a mark of 75.

Indeed, her last win in handicap company came in a class 4 contest over course and distance off the same rating and the daughter of Baltic King slammed Amosite by 3 1/4 lengths on that occasion.

That makes Abi Scarlet look weighted to take all the beating in this lower grade class 5 contest, especially with her young rider’s claim taking another 7lb off her back.

Trainer Mick Appleby does tremendously well with his runners at the track and Tartin Trip can take advantage of a drop in grade to give him another winner in the 1m claimer (2.40).

The eight-year-old was last successful in a 7f apprentice handicap at the venue in January 2014 when running on strongly to beat Go Far by a neck off a mark of 70.

That is strong form in the context of this contest and Tartan Trip comes into it on the back of a very eye-catching run under an inexperienced 7lb climber when staying on to finish a never nearer fourth of 10 to Rich Again at Wolverhampton on his first start for 207 days.

The son of Selkirk is sure to come on a bundle for that outing, and the step back up to a mile and return to this surface should also suit.

It’s also interesting that connections are no refitting Tartin Trip with the visor, as that headgear was in place when he was last successful.

Another plus is that Luke Morris, who has a near 24% strike rate when teaming up with the yard, now takes over in the saddle.

Selections:
1.35: Samtu
2.10: Abi Scarlet (NAP)
2.40: Tartan Trip (NB)
3.10: Poyle Toby
3.40: City Of Angkor Wat
4.10: Risk ‘n’ Reward