The Totepool Southern National (Sunday 19 November) is billed as “The journey to the Grand National starts here”, and contenders get the chance to prove their stamina over 3 miles 3 furlongs and 149 yards of Fontwell’s unique figure-of-8 track.
The race’s most famous winner is Hello Bud who, despite failing to win a Grand National, did manage to win two Becher Handicap Chases over the Grand National fences, as well as a Scottish National.
Ten-Year-Trends
- Winners have been aged 6 to 10, with three 9-years-olds and three 10-year-olds successful
- Winners have been rated from 96 to 132
- Winners have carried between 10-0 and 11-12
- No Trainer or Jockey has won the race twice in the last 10-years
- Dual winner Peut Etre Siviola was the shortest-priced winner at 3/1
- Finzi was the longest-priced winner at 16/1
Major Contenders
Gingili
Showed his best form at Exeter, but has also won his only start here. Has to prove his stamina over this extra-distance, but he wasn’t stopping at the end of 3-miles when winning at Exeter in October. Has an obvious chance, and likely to be in the shake up if staying the trip.
Shelford
Well-backed on his last two runs in handicaps, which is no surprise as he’s rated significantly lower over fences than he was over hurdles. Stamina a slight doubt though as, though he was staying on strongly over 21-furlongs last time, he looked to run out of stamina over 26-furlongs previously. Danger to all if he does stay.
Doing Fine
Run some terrific races at this sort of trip in the last two seasons, and suggested that he’d be at his best over it again when staying on to be third at Cheltenham over 25-furlongs. Usual jockey Noel Fehily also usually rides Gingili, and it will be interesting to see which one he chooses, as this looks a drop-in-class for Neil Mullholland’s 9-year-old.
Fergal Mael Duin
Gets in off a slightly lower-weight than when second in last year’s renewal, and his excellent record at Fontwell reads 1/1/2. Finished well-behind Doing Fine at Cheltenham last time though.
Rathlin Rose
Won the Military Cup at Sandown last season, but was pulled up when upped in class next time. Probably needs the extra emphasis on stamina to bring about some improvement, but that’s a possibility.
Rigadin De Beauchene
12-year-old who usually takes on better class horses and, whilst he hasn’t won for nearly two-years, the handicapper has dropped him to a mark he could easily win off. Chance if old-age hasn’t caught up with him, though does reserve his very-best for Haydock.
Alvarado
Not won a race since 2013, but has more than paid his way by being placed twice in the Grand National and twice in the Scottish National since. He was also a fast-finishing third behind Gingili last-time, and this extra distance is sure to suit him if he can keep up with field around this quirky course.
Our Betting Tipp for the 2017 Southern National Horse Racing
Some of the young improvers like Gingili and Shelford could find further improvement for this step-up in trip, but Alvarado really caught the eye when a fast-finishing third at Exeter – and this is his most realistic chance of victory for some time. Doing Fine may be the biggest danger.
Tip: Alvarado