Southwell best bet (1930): Course-distance winner Gressington holds all the aces on season debut
- John Fearn
- 9 April 2024
Southwell’s PlanetSportBet-sponsored meeting continues with what promises to be an intriguing seven-furlong sprint that sees a host of untried novices looking to make an impact.
19:30 Southwell: Read Harry Cobden’s Blog at PlanetSportBet Novice Stakes (7 furlongs)
The dozen starters have experienced fewer than 20 previous races between them, so there is plenty of raw untested talent on display here.
That would explain why seven of the 12 runners are available at 33/1 or greater at the time of writing, and it’s not easy to make a case for any of them, but if anyone fancies a punt on a one of the debutants hitting the ground running, then Mutaad, Joe Gargery and I Predict A Riot are the ones making their career bows.
More realistic prospects are to be found higher up in this top-heavy betting market that sees only the market leaders commanding a single-digit price, although Johnny Thunder looks the most likely of the others to make an impression if any of the principals falter.
Third of seven over six furlongs on debut at Newcastle three weeks ago, the astute booking of Rossa Ryan raises his profile and his chances of making an impression here.
Possible each-way punt: Johnny Thunder in the 19:30 at Southwell
General Assembly and Imperial Express will have their backers, but it seems as if all signs point to Gressington to carry on where he left off in a couple of promising juvenile outings last year.
Edward Bethell’s grey gelding could hardly have made a better start, winning on debut over this course and distance in September, when he was shaken up at the halfway stage and he never looked back after taking the lead a furlong out, eventually easing 1¾ lengths clear of the nearest of his eight rivals.
Planet Sport Bet Daily Special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Gressington wins by more than 3 lengths, get a £5 Free Bet
His subsequent trip to Redcar in October provided his first feel of real grass underfoot, and although he was edged out narrowly by a neck, his runner-up performance still caught the eye enough to suggest a promising future awaits.
Callum Rodriguez unsurprisingly keeps the ride, and while the odds-on price won’t attract many casual punters, there seems little value in looking at anything else here.
Suggested best bet: Gressington in the 19:30 at Southwell
- Tip advised by Hermes Tips on Tipstrr
READ MORE: Southwell racing tips: Best bets for Tuesday April 9
