Timeform Daily: Tuesday 4th February, 3:40, Southwell

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 02 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Although just six are declared, the standard of runners in the Play Golf At Southwell Golf Club Handicap (Class 3) is higher than for most events at Southwell, with top weight Xpres Maite rated 85 by the official handicapper.

Xpres Maite's recent form suggests that Roy Bowring's gelding is even better than such a figure would imply however, and he comes out clear top on the adjusted Timeform ratings. Progressive when winning five times during the first half of 2008, Xpres Maite struggled to recapture that form through the rest of the year. He returned to his best when winning at this course last time by a length and three quarters from Charles Parnell, the pair well clear. Although he hasn't ever won from such a high mark, Xpres Maite has been placed from as high as 90 and if he can show he is back to his best he will set a high standard.

Making his eighty-fourth start at the age of just six, Thoughtsofstardom has been in the form of his life of late, winning three times at Lingfield in December. A strong traveller, Thoughtsofstardom has several question marks over him despite his good recent form (which in itself poses some degree of problem as his improvement has not gone unnoticed by the official handicapper). By far the strongest of Thoughtsofstardom's form throughout his career has come over five furlongs, and his most recent efforts over this trip have proved disappointing. His fibresand record is also patchy, though he has run creditably on the surface, and such concerns are obviously significant to connections as they have decided to run Thoughtsofstardom in eyeshields here to avoid the increased kickback.

More at home under these conditions is Hughie Morrison's Realt Na Mara, who won over this course and distance when last seen in early-January. Soon driven along, the ex-Irish gelding responded well to Travis Block's urgings and got up to beat Jack Rackham by a neck. Realt Na Mara has been very consistent over this course and distance in fact, with two wins and two second-placed finishes from four starts showing a very similar level of form on each occasion. It is perhaps worth noting that on only one of those occasions did Realt Na Mara run off an official mark higher than this.

Not to be outdone, Ingleby Archhas managed three wins over this trip at Southwell. The latest came on his penultimate start in November when he beat Charles Parnell. On the pick of his form here last winter Ingleby Arch would look very well treated, however he has tended to race lazily of late and having not taken to blinkers such tendencies may restrict Ingleby Arch's form in the future.

Bo McGinty has slowly returned to form through the winter, his recent fourth at Lingfield his best effort of this all-weather campaign. He will most likely need to run up to almost the same level he was capable of in the summer in order to score here, whilst his best form of late has come over the minimum trip.

Came Back is another course-and-distance specialist, having won six times under such conditions, though he looks to have been harshly treated for his recent brace in claiming/selling company and would need to return to his very best to have a chance.