Southwell free racing tip: Eagle Angel primed to hit ground running after a year off

19:45 Southwell: Get the Inside Track with raceday-ready.com Novice Stakes (1½ miles)

The winner looks destined to emerge from the three favorites, Eavestone (evens), King Chaos (3/1) and Eagle Angel (3/1), who dominate a top-heavy market ahead of their four unfancied rivals, who are available between 16/1 and 150/1. 

Of those three, our final nod for best value goes to Eagle Angel, who returns to action after just shy of a full year away from the track, with his top connections holding high hopes of him hitting the ground running here.

Having finished fifth of nine over seven furlongs here on career debut last September, he improved on his only subsequent appearance at Wolverhampton a month later, chalking up an impressive victory despite being held up in the early stages.

This Gleneagles colt still had plenty to do approaching the two-furlong pole, and despite entering the home straight widest of all, he still managed to keep on very powerfully to take the the lead inside the final half-furlong, easing home by just under a length under hands and heels.

That run was full of promise, and although it might be a slight concern that he has been off the track for so long, he is with a top yard who would be unlikely to send him out after such a long break if he were not showing good form on the gallops. 

It’s also worth noting that training team John and Thady Gosden also saddle Maenad, but with top stable jockey Kieran Shoemark opting for Eagle Angel, our selection would appear to be first string here.

His reappearance coincides with this  huge step-up in trip, which will pose some questions, but also suggests that connections expect Eagle Angel to unlock further improvement here and he looks likely to have a big say here. 

Suggested Bet: Eagle Angel in the 19:45 at Southwell

• Tip and preview provided by David Xristo on Tipstrr