18th Jan 2021 | Horse Racing
Southwell: Dirchill
Couldn't hold off Nick Vedder's late charge but visual impression deceiving. Dirchill went too hard early on, whilst Kieran Shoemark got the fractions spot-on with the winner.
Nick Vedder was visually impressive when coming from a long way back to beat Dirchill by a length on the 3 January but it was one of those occasions when the pictures can be deceived. Nick Vedder spread his energy optimally through the race and it was Dirchill who raced sup-optimally, going to hard early in the race and duelling with Qaaraat.
That school of though was given a boost by Qaaraat winning on Friday and in terms of speed rating adjusted for pace, I have Dirchill ahead of Nick Vedder based on their last meeting and that is before the 8lbs turnaround in the weights.
Last timeout Dirchill again ran well, this time after blowing the start and having to clock the fastest closing sectional to finish second. He is clearly in form and the sectionals tip in his favour.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 17:30 18th Jan, 2021 but subject to change