3 minute read

Sam King brings you two selections on Thursday, featuring a pair of nice-priced horses in tonight's Racing League finale at Southwell…

Lowton – 6.14 Southwell

As expected, the card is littered with highly competitive handicaps throughout, but that does ensure the punter can strike some value and Lowton could be just that in the 6.14 contest.

The Ed Bethell-trained has been off the track for 317 days but there's plenty of reason to believe his best days are still ahead of him, especially on an artificial surface. He did well to overcome a tardy beginning when defying a penalty in a novice event at Newcastle last June before disappointing on his handicap debut at Ascot the following month. However, he might have found conditions a touch on the quick side that day and ran well when fourth in a competitive heat at York next time.

A further disappointment when sent off favourite at Leicester appeared to leave connections scratching their heads, but it's interesting he's been off the track since and has subsequently been gelded.

A current mark of 86 looks well within his range based on ability and if that gelding operation unlocks his full potential, he could prove dangerous well-handicapped with the talented apprentice Brandon Wilkie claiming a further 5lb.

Odds – 16/1

King Lear – 8.10 Southwell

There's no doubt King Lear has been disappointing since entering handicap company, but it could be worth giving George Boughey's unexposed four-year-old one more chance.

The gelded son of Galileo looked like an exciting prospect when making a highly encouraging debut fourth in a warm novice event at Newmarket (July) last year. He went on to beat the now 87-rated Ayyab in commanding fashion at Nottingham next time out, before going down narrowly after a lengthy tussle with Believe In Stars, who is now rated 93, at Goodwood last September.

George Boughey's charge ran no such race when sent off favourite for his handicap debut at Pontefract later that month, but he did show up better when sixth in Racing League back in July. He was disappointing in the same competition at Chepstow three weeks ago but might not have enjoyed cut underfoot that day and he remains of interest now tackling an all-weather surface for the first time.

Connections also now opt for first-time cheekpieces and now off a falling mark of 90, he could surprise a few under Billy Loughnane, who still remains in with a shout of becoming the leading jockey in the Racing League entering the final day.

Odds – 15/2