The card overall is perfectly up-to-scratch for Southwell, but the first race is the type in which you could justifiably pick one that's without a win in over four years. Imjin River is the beast in question. He won his first two starts in handicaps but has since gone on a 37-run drought. There has been intermittent hope along the way, with a couple of paths crossing here. Imjin River's record at Southwell is actually pretty good- a win and two places from three starts- while he gets in here off a BHA mark of 46, his lowest ever and 9 lb lower than when he finished second over C&D last March. With the promising Louis Steward retaining the ride, this could just be the day that the stars align for Imjin River.
Greyfriarschorista (14:10) goes well around here and is taken to record his fourth C&D win. Frontier Fighter is feared most, ahead of First Post. The selection produced his best effort for a while when winning under this rider nine days ago, and is expected to go well once more.
Something that unites Imjin River and Greyfriarschorista is course form, which should take high order on any punter's list when trying to pick winners at Southwell. It also plays a part in our selecting Captain Secret (14:40) as SmartPlay number three. Less exposed than most of these to begin with, Captain Secret took really well to fibresand when winning over C&D in December by three and a half lengths. Raised 9 lb for her efforts, Captain Secret is nonetheless one to keep onside around here for the time being, with the fact she's done it around here enough to keep her ahead of some ostensibly less-exposed three-year-olds.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Southwell
Back Imjin River @ 5.24/1 in the 12:40
Back Greyfriarschorista @ 3.613/5 in the 14:10
Back Captain Secret @ 2.77/4 in the 14:40
