Franschhoek (19:10 Southwell — bettingsites.co.uk Handicap, Class 4, 1m AW)
A three-year-old bay gelding by Saxon Warrior, trained by James Fanshawe — in superb form at 31% over the last fortnight — and handed to Billy Loughnane tonight for his handicap debut. Franschhoek won a maiden at Wolverhampton just 16 days ago by a neck at 8/15, stepping up to 9½f and getting the job done under Kaiya Fraser. He drops back to 1m on Tapeta tonight for his first handicap start off a mark of 79, and Fanshawe has clearly identified this race as the right opportunity to strike.
Loughnane is a massive upgrade on the jockey who won on him at Wolverhampton, the low draw in stall 4 is a positive at Southwell, and standard going suits. Nine runners but Franschhoek’s class should tell.
Verdict: Back to win — in-form yard, Loughnane upgrade, handicap debut on a workable mark, and connections clearly confident. 🏇
