16:00 SOUTHWELL

Desert Charm had to overcome a slow start and traffic when second at Yarmouth. With Hollie Doyle taking over at Southwell, could a smoother passage unlock another win?

By Gary Aldshaw

I’m with Desert Charm in the second division of Southwell’s mile handicap. Mike Murphy’s filly brings a solid sequence of recent performances into this, and her latest second at Yarmouth suggests she remains competitive from her current mark. At 12/1, I think there is enough in her form to justify taking on the shorter-priced runners.

Her Yarmouth effort on 12 October is particularly relevant. She was slowly away and raced towards the rear before encountering traffic as she began making progress over two furlongs out. Once switched into daylight, she stayed on to finish second of 12, beaten two and three-quarter lengths by Potters Prince. The winner was comfortably on top, so I would not claim the interference cost her the race, but she did well to secure second after an awkward passage. A smoother run would give her a better opportunity to deliver her challenge.

There is substance to her earlier form, too. She won a Chepstow handicap in June before following up in a classified race on Lingfield’s turf 12 days later. She then missed out by just a nose at Salisbury in July when attempting the hat-trick. Those performances show she can finish her races effectively and get her head in front, while her subsequent third at Bath and second at Yarmouth suggest she has retained her form through the autumn.

Published selections

Desert Charm — Southwell (AW) 4:35. Advised price: 11/1. Stake: 0.5pt each way. Result: lost.

18+. Betting involves risk. Never bet more than you can afford to lose.