Southwell Tips: Naana’s Shadow set for improvement

There's lots to enjoy on Wednesday as the second day of the Punchestown Festival offers some top-level Jumps action, while Ascot is the standout Flat card of the day. Later on, Brighton and Southwell provide more level entertainment.

I've honed in on the latter, providing three Southwell tips for consideration.

17:40 - Raging Al each-way @ 14/1

Skipping the Class 6 opener, which is an amateur jockeys race, the first race at Southwell worth investment in is the 5.40, a Class 5 over 1m4f which could go the way of RAGING AL.

The son of Sea The Moon was disappointing on his debut at Windsor last April, finishing ninth of 13, but took a huge step forward in a Sandown maiden two months later as he kept on to finish fifth at big odds.

That run caught the attention of many, not least Tim Vaughan, who took over training duties from Ralph Beckett for 15,000gns following that effort. Vaughan has clearly been biding his time with Raging Al, but this looks a great chance to make a promising start for his new yard.

That impressive Sandown effort came over 1m2f and the way he kept on strongly suggests this increased trip of 1m4f could be right up his alley.

Vaughan certainly thinks so, with no other horse travelling further than Raging Al (181 miles) to feature at Southwell on Wednesday evening.

He's a cracking each-way bet to get us started.

18:40 - Naana's Shadow @ 7/2

The standout race on a card littered with Class 6 action is the 6.40, which provides a Class 4 Fillies’ sprint over 5f. However, it is a novices’ race, making it a tricky one to call.

The fine margins often come into play when so many unknown entities go head-to-head and, with that in mind, it could pay to back one of the few Fillies to have run before.

Of course, Acceptance and Whisperwood, two of the most appealing newcomers based on pedigree, could blow their rivals away. But there is also the chance they flop, so it could be safer to back NAANA'S SHADOW, who could improve for her run last time.

She finished last of seven at Newmarket on her debut, but she hung left on that occasion and the addition of a tongue tie could help her focus this time around.

Another fine margin which could aid her cause is the booking of Kieran O’Neil in the saddle.

No jockey in this race has ridden at Southwell on more occasions over the past five seasons than O’Neil, who has raced at the Nottinghamshire venue 82 times before Wednesday, and his experience could help get the best out of Naana’s Shadow.

20:10 - Classic Cause @ 8/1

If O’Neil is a jockey who loves this course, then Charlie Hills is a trainer who adores it. 20 of 73 runners here since 2021 have won, giving him a 27% strike-rate at Southwell and making his sole entry of the day, CLASSIC CAUSE, worth backing.

Improvement is required on Classic Cause’s two-year-old form, with his last of 13 at Kempton when last seen in September a particular worry, but those runs did at least earn him a mark and he could improve now handicapping.

He was also gelded following that disappointing effort and that, along with the booking of Rob Hornby, who had won two of his last eight rides on the All-Weather before Tuesday, can only help Classic Cause’s cause.

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