First Racing of 2018- Southwell races

Happy new year, hopefully this year will have some even better racing than the last. Despite it being bitterly cold and only six races the turn out was decent at Southwell Races with only one favourite winning, a few long shots won which made it difficult to pick a winner.

The 2:25 had Cosmelli leading from the off, tracked by Galileo's Spear, Storm King and Kensington Star. Cosmelli clearly ruled the race, choosing when to pick up the pace and when to have a breather round the bends which was great riding from Tom Eaves. The positions in the field didn't really change until three furlong out when he was pushed and joined by Epitaph (who had a few reminders at the start) and the favourite Snowy Winter. However, Epitaph at two to go had nothing more to give yet Snowy Winter managed to close some of the gap.  With one furlong to go Cosmelli kept going on strong to win by 6 lengths despite drifting across the track, second place by 1/2  a length was Epitaph who stayed on despite pressure from Snowy Winter who finished 5 lengths behind.

In the final race Break The Silence took keen hold for the first two furlongs of the race until Chaucer's Tale took the lead. The favourite, Mr Coco Bean, was towards the back of the field with Shearian, Scribner Creek and Sea Of Hope tracking the leading pair. When it came to three furlongs out Shearian began to make headway along with Mr Coco Bean. At two furlongs out Chaucer's Tale was ridden along, Break The Silence was also trying with Mr Coco Bean giving chase but at the 2 furlong marker Shearian began to steam ahead and kept on strongly under apprentice Ger O'Neill who had his first win for this year by two lengths. Second was Chaucer's Tale by 1 1/4 lengths and third Break The Silence by 2 1/4  keeping on at the same pace. The first three horses were well clear of the rest of the field.