Today's Racing Tips: Hale may bring Tonal run to an End at Southwell

• All Hale Dods and Kirrane in mile event

• Shout out to my Rex at Dunstall Park

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Southwell, 13.32 - Back Hale End each-way @ 5/16.00

Tonal has been one of a number of success stories for trainer Ian Williams this winter and, despite jumping from a basement mark of 51 to 74, the six-year-old still appears to have rock solid claims in this Class 5 handicap.

Freshened up since winning smoothly at Wolverhampton earlier this month, the Siyouni gelding ticks most boxes when it comes to winning a race of this nature and his rapid resurgence appears to have coincided with the association with apprentice Ryan Kavanagh.

Given his profile, the layers are unlikely to take too much of a chance with Tonal's price and I wonder if Hale End may offer some value against the recent multiple winner.

A barren turf season saw the selection's mark drop from 79 prior to a two-month break for the all-weather season, but he has returned in good heart, following up an encouraging comeback with a game win over course and distance before Christmas.

Down To The Kid was Hale End's chief victim that day and he has since won his next two starts, while there have also been victories for Dream Pirate (4th), Rising Force (5th) and Soames Forsythe (7th) from those involved in the back wash.

Clearly, that handicap represents a useful piece of form and Hale End could prove the best alternative to Tonal today.

Wolverhampton, 18.00 - Back Arlecchino's Rex @ 9/25.50

Stall 12 did Arlecchino's Rex few favours on his run here earlier this month, but he still acquitted himself well given that race looked a better running than the normal 0-55 events hosted at this time of year.

A truly-run contest won convincingly by R P McMurphy also featured dual subsequent scorer How's The Guvnor in second, while ninth home Dash Power has also run creditably on his last two starts to endorse the form.

The selection finished well from a long way off the pace that day, a position determined by his wide draw going into the first bend and, although rider Jason Watson is yet to win on the son of Belardo, the partnership has produced a number of near misses so hopefully the combination can click in this lowly affair.

One word of warning: the presence of Platinum Babe off such a basement mark is a little alarming, especially as Ian Williams has made a habit of farming these low-grade affairs this winter.

However, Arlecchino's Rex sets a decent standard on that latest effort and a repeat could make him tough to beat back at the same venue. 

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