Tuesday 4th March 2025 | 7f 14y | Standard | 12 runners

Tuesday’s evening meeting at Southwell opens with a competitive 7-furlong handicap where conditions look set to favour those racing prominently from low draws. With a weak pace forecast and a track bias towards the inside stalls, positioning could prove crucial.

Race Setup

The early pace appears limited, which should suit those able to sit handy without doing too much early work. Historically, Southwell’s 7f trip on the all-weather has rewarded those drawn low who can race near the front, and this race looks no different.

Leading Contenders

Rich Rhythm (9/2) appeals most. Drawn in stall 1, he returned to form with a comfortable course and distance win 39 days ago and remains well-handicapped on old form. Harriet Bethell’s runner is ideally positioned to take advantage of the likely race setup, and the trainer’s strong early-season stats further boost confidence.

One More Dream (4/1) is the likely market leader following a win at Wolverhampton last time out. He’s well treated on his past form and should be involved again, though a wide draw in stall 10 and the potential lack of pace may make life tricky if he’s held up.

Zu Run (13/2) offers solid claims on consistency. He ran well for second at Wolverhampton in January and is another with a handy draw in stall 4. If the race becomes tactical, his versatility should keep him competitive.

For those seeking a bigger price, Emily Post (12/1) is interesting each-way. She finished second over this course and distance last time and breaks from stall 3, giving her a good chance of securing a prominent position.

Verdict

Rich Rhythm looks the most solid option. With ideal draw, pace, and trainer form in his favour, he ticks all the right boxes for this type of contest. One More Dream is respected but could find things harder from his position, while Zu Run and Emily Post are reliable alternatives for those looking beyond the top of the market.

Selection: Rich Rhythm
Main Danger: One More Dream
Each-Way Play: Emily Post