BACK BURNER, who made a promising British debut at Wolverhampton last week for North Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara, can fulfil that promise at Southwell this afternoon.

The ex-Irish gelding contests the Coral Mobile Handicap with Sam James, a smart Irish apprentice, in the saddle and is napped to defy top weight.

Back Burner travelled strongly on his latest outing when he was beaten only a length and a half by Magika. He now has to prove himself as effective on Fibresand as he was that day on Polytrack. If so, he has a major chance of winning.

Scott Dixon, who trains close to the course, has good prospects of completing a double with Cadeaux Pearl and Sir Geoffrey, both mounts of apprentice Matthew Hopkins.

Cadeaux Pearl, a speedy sort, ran well to finish second to Powerful Wind here earlier in the week. A reproduction of that effort could see the five-year-old go one better in the first division of the Compare Bookmakers At bookmakers.co.uk Handicap over five furlongs.

Sir Geoffrey looks to have an even better chance in the second division. He won handsomely here last week in the hands of Hopkins and, as that success was gained in an apprentices’ race, he escapes a penalty this afternoon.

Norton jockeys Tom Eaves and Tony Hamilton have fighting chances of getting on the scoreboard on the consistent Stoney Quine (12.30) and the promising Marble Statuette (1.00) respectively.

Over the sticks at Exeter, Bury Parade will be hard to beat in the Free Racing Tips Graduation Chase.

The seven-year-old, trained by Paul Nicholls beat the useful Hadrian’s Approach in a photo-finish at Kempton on his reappearance. There is surely more to come from this likeable gelding who will be ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies.

David Pipe can win the opening Racing Welfare Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle with Centasia.

The six-year-old won two bumpers last season and was also a good fourth in the Listed championship bumper at Aintree in April.

She won her first hurdle at Uttoxeter in nice style and a 7lb penalty may not stop her.

Mixologist may prove the answer to the Exeter Racecourse Handicap Hurdle.

The mount of the experienced Gavin Sheehan, Warren Greatrex’s charge finished a good second at Fontwell on his recent reappearance which was his first outing since March.

He is entitled to improve again with that race under his belt.

Fergal O’Brien has his horses in excellent heart and the Gloucestershire trainer can add to his score with Born To Benefit in the EBF Stallions TBA Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Runner-up over hurdles at Wetherby and Towcester (beaten only nose) on her latest two starts, Born To Benefit looks the type to make the grade.


Racing selections

Southwell today 12.00 Grandest, 12.30 Stoney Quine, 1.00 Marble Statuette, 1.30 This Is Me, 2.00 Two No Bids, 2.30 Cadeaux Pearl, 3.00 Sir Geoffrey, 3.30 Back Burner (NAP).

Exeter today 12.50 Centasia, 1.20 Mixologist, 1.50 Bury Parade, 2.20 Born To Benefit, 2.50 Moleskin, 3.20 Tagrita, 3.50 Kings Apollo.

Today’s other meetings: Towcester and Kempton.

Tomorrow’s meetings: Ascot, Southwell, Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton.