Robbie Wilders' play of the day at Southwell

I Spy A Diva

2.52 Southwell

We lost the card at Ffos Las, but there is still some decent jumps action to go at and I Spy A Diva catches the eye in the 3m½f handicap hurdle (2.52) at Southwell.

This race will be all about Duel Au Soleil for many punters and it's easy to understand why. Only five and with presumably more to offer, Duel Au Soleil justified favouritism to make a winning return for Ben Pauling at Wetherby in October in a decent time for the grade, responding well to first-time cheekpieces and clearly benefitting from a wind operation. 

However, that form hasn't really worked out. The five to have run since have turned in form figures of 47328 and most of them were beaten a long way, so Duel Au Soleil will need to improve on his first run in a Class 4 handicap.

He effectively races off a 10lb higher mark as Callum Pritchard can now only claim 3lb, while must also prove he stays this distance on a slower surface.

Conversely, I Spy A Diva is already a winner over three miles, and gave the impression she could do with a return to that distance when staying on for eighth in an 18-runner conditional riders' handicap at Cheltenham last month. I reckon that Cheltenham form could receive a timely boost when third As Legends Have It contests the handicap chase (12.52) that opens the Southwell card.

I Spy A Diva is now 6lb lower than when defeating classy handicap hurdler Red Dirt Road five starts ago. She's evidently been fragile with only three starts to her name in the past 30 months, but she's at least managed to put two half-decent runs together over the past six weeks, and gives the impression she is building towards a bigger effort.

Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls could hardly be in better form, with six of their past 14 runners winning, and the topweight, who is still only eight, is going to relish this drop in grade.  

I Spy A Diva14:52 Southwell

View Racecard

Jky: Tom Bellamy Tnr: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

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