Southwell best bet (1900): Tradesman back in business after winter break

19:00 Southwell: BetUK Home of the Acca Handicap (2 miles ½ furlong)

With just a couple of betting points covering the top five in the market, there are clearly plenty in the line-up with serious claims of landing this long-distance affair, with Eagle’s Realm the tentative early favourite after being beaten by just one of the 41 rivals he has faced in his last five outings.

He looks sure to feature prominently after winning over this course and distance under returning jockey Billy Loughnane a month ago, but Tony Carroll’s well-treated The Craftymaster looks a serious threat under William Carson after stringing five straight wins together since just before Christmas.

Planet Sport Bet Daily Special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Eagle's Realm wins by more than 1 length, get a £5 Free Bet

Elsewhere, De Vega’s Warrior looks interesting under Rossa Ryan after suffering more than his fair share of near misses lately and Michael Appleby’s five-year-old is surely closing in on his maiden success after 22 attempts.

However, as we dig a little deeper for the extra cushion of some each-way returns, our final nod goes to Tradesman, who returns from a well-earned 82-day break after ending last year with four wins in his last six all-weather outings.

A hat-trick of successes at Chelmsford was only ended by a hard-fought runner-up finish behind well-backed favourite Kyle Of Lochalsh last time out over a slightly shorter trip just before Christmas.

Now refreshed from a winter break and reunited with in-form Hayley Turner, the five-year-old looks capable of coping with a two-pound hike to hit the ground running over his preferred longer trip.

Trainer David Simcock is overdue a win, but it's worth noting that he has a tendency to produce the goods at the Nottinghamshire track, where more than half of his last 70+ runners have made the frame, including 16 winners (22% strike rate).

Suggested best bet: Tradesman each-way in the 19:00 at Southwell

• Tip advised by Model Man on Tipstrr

 

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