Today's Horse Racing Tips: Back this trio at Southwell

In the absence of our resident tipster Chris Baker, Steve Chambers steps into his shoes, and picks out three fancies on today’s action at Southwell...

Southwell Tips

Slowmo - 13:15 Southwell

Racing on turf on Thursday has been decimated by the cold weather, but the All-Weather action at Southwell should survive the baltic conditions and we pick out our three best bets from their seven-race card. One that catches the eye in the 13:15 contest, the Betway Handicap, run over four furlongs and 214y is Slowmo, who is challenging for favouritism with Thegreatestshowman. Slowmo was a winner over course and distance in early December off a mark of 61 and was last seen running a decent race on the Fibresand off a mark of 65, where he was second to Centurion Song. He was only beaten a head that day, but the pair had pulled well clear of their rivals, and running off the same mark this afternoon, the five-year-old can make the most of an attractive mark of 65 and claim the prize in fine style.

Samovar - 14:45 Southwell

A regular at Southwell, Samovar will make a swift return to the track on Thursday and looks to have a terrific chance of claiming victory in the Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap at 14:45. He finished a fine second behind Zylan on Sunday, but the winner that day was attractively handicapped and Samovar had pulled two lengths clear of the third, so it's a smart piece of form. He runs under a penalty this afternoon, but with Jonathan Fisher claiming 5 lb off his back then that should negate that, so he should be able to deliver off today's mark. With six wins at the track, Samovar knows how to get his head in front, and today he can duly notch up a magnificent seventh victory in a mediocre contest.

Gossip - 15:45 Southwell

Four-year-old filly Gossip tasted victory at Southwell two starts ago in the middle of December, but she failed to fire over a longer trip next time out, but she can duly return to winning ways in the final race of the card the Betway Casino 'Hands And Heels' Series Apprentice Handicap at 15:45. That victory came over 4f 214y last month, whereas her last outing, which ended in defeat came over six furlongs, so a return to the minimum distance on Thursday should see her at her best. She will be 4 lb higher in the handicap in today's contest, but her rivals this afternoon have found it tough to bag a win of late, and Gossip can duly complete the afternoon on a winning note.