DRAWING CONCLUSIONS LESSONS FROM THE RECENT ACTION

SOUTHWELL, TUESDAY

It paid to race prominently in the 1m Spreadex Sports £300 Spread Betting Cashback Restricted Maiden Stakes in which DEED POLE caught the eye when finishing a 33-1 eighth of 13.

Anthony Carson’s threeyear-old raced keenly in rear before staying on to finish just over seven lengths behind the winner. He showed promise from a poor wide draw at Chelmsford the time before and should find a small race when handicapping.

CHELTENHAM, SATURDAY UNEXPECTED PARTY,

as short as 9-2 when the betting opened for the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase, returned at 11-1 and was even bigger on the exchanges (Betfair SP of 15.79).

Dan Skelton’s handicap chase debutant could never get in a meaningful blow but his 14-length third marked him out as one to bear in mind for a festival handicap in the spring.

Fourth-placed Panic Attack also finished strongly but is now 0-8 against the boys and will be happier back in maresonly company. Her record against her own sex reads 121183211 (5-9).

IL RIDOTO and FUGITIF, separated by a length when one-two in a great finish to the Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase, pulled 15 lengths clear of third-placed PRECIOUS ELEANOR, although the last-named is the one to add to the hotlist.

Henry Daly’s eight-yearold, who had jumped out to her left when a modest third at Sandown on her previous start, clearly appreciated the return to a left-handed track but would have been happier on quicker ground. Her three wins have come on good to soft or faster going in March/April, all in small fields, and she’ll be very interesting this spring.

PHOENIX WAY, best of the hold-up horses behind Fugitif at Chepstow last month, ran a similar race in fourth here and now has form figures in January, including his point-to-point form, of 11114 (4-5). A step back up to three miles could suit.