Southwell preview: Masterful Act to take centre stage

David Metcalf | December 15, 2015

Masterful Act has a superb record at Southwell and can take advantage of a massive drop in grade to notch another success at the Nottinghamshire venue in the 1m 3f claimer on today’s seven-race card (13.30).

The gelding has won six of his nine starts on the fibresand surface, with the last of those successes coming in a competitive class 2 contest back in January 2014 off a mark of 91 when trained by Alan McCabe.

Masterful Act was put up to 99 for that victory, and after five more starts for McCabe joined Dan Skelton for a spell over hurdles.

The eight-year-old won just one of his 12 starts over the obstacles, and now switches back to the level having joined the shrewd David O’Meara.

Trainer O’Meara looks the ideal handler to get the best out of Masterful Act and has decided to pitch the son of Pleasantly Perfect into a claimer on his debut for the yard.

It is the lowest level that Masterful Act has every operated in, and represents a huge drop in class from when last seen in action on the surface he relishes.

Masterful Act is also the highest rated in the line-up yet receives weight from all bar one of his rivals and, with the stable in good form, this looks a gilt-edged opportunity for him to get back to winnings ways.