6:15 Southwell Tips

Golden Pharaoh is a gelding rated 63 who has already shown he can be competitive off this mark. He produced a strong run over today’s trip on the all-weather, where he travelled well throughout and finished within two lengths of the winner. He had another similar effort when placed after being delivered late off a steady pace. Those runs confirm the surface and distance suit him and that today’s rating is workable based on past evidence. He tends to do his best work when allowed to settle early and build into the race rather than being rushed, which looks likely again in this setup. With the market suggesting a realistic rather than dominant chance, this is a confident each-way angle with clear reasons to expect him to run to form and be involved late if things fall right.

7-time course winner. Meets Golden Pharaoh again, who was 2¾ lengths ahead of him back in May. Now 10 lb better off, and that should be enough to reverse those placings.

CHOLA EMPIRE wins in his turn and although exposed, there are reasons to think this could be his turn. Key is that the gelding's three best runs have all been gained at this track, all off higher marks than today's. This cold time of year has also seen a notably better return than the summer months and so at a double-figure price, enough to like in my book.

MUMAYAZ has not won at this level in a long career and is handicapped right up to his best. Not regressive though and continues to run well for his new yard. With two his four career-best runs being gained here at Southwell, the track suits, as does this trip. Connections play musical headgear and their 7-y-o could well run into a place, which at the price, would suffice for a win and place interest.

Giorgio M is a gelding rated 59 who has shown he can be competitive under similar conditions. Most notably, he finished second in a Southwell all-weather handicap over today’s trip after travelling well and only being caught late within two lengths. He also ran a solid third over a similar distance, staying on strongly from off the pace. Those runs came off today’s mark or lower and confirm that both the surface and trip suit him. His better performances have come when he can settle early and build into the race. This setup looks likely to play to those strengths again. With proven ability at the trip and a workable mark, there are clear reasons to expect him to run to form and be involved late.

Silver Samurai comes back to Southwell with each-way claims, I reckon, after a blip at Wolverhampton. Marquand jumps aboard now, and with a tongue tie and cheekpieces on we should be good to go here. He's been placed at this C&D before, with seven prior handicap places off this mark also. Runs well fresh, and 77 looks a good mark now he's back at home on a track he loves.