3:25 Southwell Tips

0-15 but made a promising start to life with Joey Ramsden, with placed efforts here and at Wolverhampton and Newcastle before getting rid of her jockey last time. Surely only a matter of time until she breaks her duck.

This three-year-old gelding, trained by Ed De Giles, is an outsider who might finally be turning a corner. While his raw form figures look uninspiring, his latest effort at Lingfield (December 2nd) was a revelation. Sent off at huge odds of 100/1, he defied market expectations to finish a credible fourth in a 12-runner field, beaten only 3½ lengths. Crucially, the race report noted that he 'settled better than usual', addressing the keenness that has previously blunted his finishing effort. He races off a basement Official Rating (OR) of 45, effectively carrying no handicap burden. Track & Trip The 1m trip at Southwell is a fair test. Having proven he can stay on over a mile at Lingfield, the surface switch shouldn't be an issue provided he settles early. In a weak Class 6, his recent spark makes him dangerous.

Mickey Mongoose's handicap mark has been reduced after a poor flat season. With the last run being excused after over three months off, he could bounce back sooner or later. Now at a rock-bottom mark and with two wins here in the locker, if the addition of cheekpieces does the trick there are place claims.