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Form working out well for Groovy Blue
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Longer trip to suit Hay Meadow
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Tigers Moon handicapped to win again
13:00, Southwell - Groovy Blue can build on promise of chasing debut
Southwell is one of Ben Pauling's top three tracks for winners in the last five seasons and Groovy Blue can add another to the stable's total on his second start over fences which follows a promising chasing debut.
A well-made gelding who looks the type to take well to fences, Groovy Blue was easy to back on his chasing debut at Sedgefield last month but showed promise and took a step forward from his hurdling form, close up throughout and keeping on when steadied into the last before finishing three lengths third to impressive winner Fat Harry.
Despite the pace only lifting in the straight, the first three were able to pull clear of the rest, with both Fat Harry and runner-up Fierce Warrior going on to win their next starts at Newcastle and Doncaster respectively. With the form working out well and Groovy Blue looking open to improvement he can add to his maiden hurdle win at Market Rasen last season with victory here.
Back Groovy Blue in the 13:00 at Southwell
13:40, Carlisle - Impressive Hexham winner Hay Meadow can follow up
Hay Meadow looks an interesting runner for the 'Hot Trainer' stable of Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore in the Pertemps Qualifier on Carlisle's all-hurdles card where the ground is unfit on the chase course.
Conditions are still likely to be quite testing for the hurdlers, therefore, but that won't trouble Hay Meadow whose win last season came in a mares' novice on heavy ground at Ayr where she caused an upset in beating hot favourite That'll Do Moss who went on to finish second in Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse.
Hay Meadow has also won her latest start, a handicap at Hexham last month, when landing a gamble in impressive fashion under conditional jockey Conner McCann who takes 7 lb off the mare's back again. Hay Meadow is yet to run beyond two and a half miles over hurdles, but she's a former point winner in Ireland and looks a strong stayer, so should relish the longer trip here where she's 3 lb clear in the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings.
Back Hay Meadow in the 13:40 at Carlisle
14:35, Southwell - More to come from progressive hurdler Tigers Moon
Back at Southwell, the progressive Tigers Moon stands out in an ordinary handicap hurdle where the majority of his rivals have something to prove.
Tigers Moon shaped encouragingly on his handicap debut for Tom Ellis when third at Market Rasen on his final start last season and has duly improved in his two starts in similar company this term. He was well backed when winning hard held on his reappearance at Uttoxeter in October and was strongly supported again when progressing further in a novice event at Fontwell last time but was left with a bit too much to do.
Waited with and travelling well, Tigers Moon could only keep on for second, earning the 'Horse In Focus' flag behind Low Expectations who was seen to much better effect the way the race unfolded, dictating a modest pace. The winner has gone in again since and Tigers Moon remains well handicapped, being 5 lb clear in the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings. With further improvement to come he should be hard to beat.
Back Tigers Moon in the 14:35 at Southwell