6:45 Southwell Tips

King Of Ithaca is a gelding rated 58 who has shown he can be competitive off this mark. Notably, he finished second in a Southwell all-weather handicap over today’s trip after travelling well and only giving best late, beaten under two lengths. He also ran a solid race when third over a similar distance, shaping as though the track and surface suited and sticking on well from the front end. Those runs confirm he handles today’s conditions and can operate effectively off this weight. With his mark unchanged from those efforts and conditions again playing to his strengths, there are clear reasons to expect him to run to form and be firmly involved if he gets a similar rhythm.

Michael Herrington-trained Feel The Need returns from a break, and Jason Hart is a decent jockey booking. The six-year-old by Ribchester runs off a mark of OR73, so is low in this Class 4 handicap. Decent enough race, but 9-1 looks a fair price. Ran well on turf at this level last year with a win (off OR74) and third of 22 at York. Sole AW win off OR76 over 1 mile here at Southwell in December 2024. Has a decent shout. Stable going fine.