Horse Racing Tips: Squeezebox to win on handicap debut at Southwell

There are four meetings across the UK and Ireland on Tuesday with three Flat meetings and a jumps card at Southwell. First off is Southwell before they go at Pontefract, Wolverhampton and Newcastle.

Amongst our Tuesday fancies is one for trainer Tom Lacey who is two for three over hurdles and returns after 228 days off on his handicap debut.

14:48 Pontefract - According To Mark @ 5/6

Edward Bethell’s colt, ACCORDING TO MARK, can take advantage of this four-runner contest at Pontefract after two promising efforts in defeat.

Slowly away on debut at Newcastle in November, he caught the eye when staying on strongly for fourth despite the first three home racing prominently.

The son of St Mark’s Basilica returned at Redcar in April over this trip, going down by a short head to Mr Colonel, who subsequently finished third in the Chester Vase behind Derby favourite Benvenuto Cellini.

Mr Colonel held a sizeable advantage entering the straight, which According To Mark did well to erode before just lacking the finishing kick in the final furlong.

With that run under his belt, he can prove more reliable than likely favourite Alma Latina, who has shown signs of greenness on both starts this season and was beaten at 11/10 last time after hanging under pressure.

The other two runners still have stamina questions to answer.

Horse Racing Odds

16:18 Pontefract - Egotistical @ 7/4

Off the mark at the fourth time of asking, EGOTISTICAL can maintain the winning thread at Pontefract on Tuesday.

This daughter of Acclamation makes her first start in a handicap off of a mark of 71. She ran green on debut at Southwell where she was beaten by the experienced Cherry Baker, who went on to win off a mark of 80 at the Chester May Festival.

The Roger Varian filly ran on over five furlongs on her next start before taking an 88 day break. Returning this spring, she performed admirably at Nottingham before winning after a professional performance under the stands rail at Redcar.

Her pedigree offers hope of handling the forecast softer conditions and connections were hopeful of more to come after last time.

Under Ray Dawson, she can prove tough to beat off of bottom weight.

17:00 Southwell - Squeezebox @ 7/4

Look out for SQUEEZEBOX, returning after a 228-day absence, as the Tom Lacey gelding bids to strike on handicap debut.

Keen at Market Rasen on hurdle debut, he still comfortably saw off the 2/9 fav Nap Hand before being beaten next time at Warwick. That was a warm race where he was carrying a penalty and he ran even less efficiently than at Market Rasen.

He was last seen at Fakenham, where the tight, speed-favouring track produced his best hurdles performance yet as he won comfortably by nearly five lengths.

A first-time tongue-tie was fitted at Fakenham and helped him settle better. The headgear remains on for his reappearance.

Southwell should suit his tendency to race keenly and, if allowed to dictate from the front, he can make a mockery of an opening mark of 111. Some juice in the ground is unlikely to pose a problem.

Extra Place Races

Selected race(s). Applies to Each Way, Single & Multiple bets only. Antepost bets don’t apply. Min. runner rules apply. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Tune into Betfred Insights daily to view our NAPs Table, featuring the top tipsters' best bets