Thoughts on Thewaythewindblows at Southwell today

Thewaythewindblows has his third start at Southwell today in the 5.50. Thomas Brown rides in the seven furlong maiden. Thewaythewindblows was more professional on his second start at York last time out and should take another step forward tonight. He is wearing a tongue tie for the first time as he has a habit of putting his tongue over the bit and this will stop him doing that. The surface is an unknown for him and until a horse has run at Southwell its hard to know. He has cantered on Fibre sand at home so should be familiar with it but never worked on it which is a different ball game. There are no clues in the pedigree as the sire has never had a runner on the fibre sand and the there are no close relatives that have run on it.

The race is not as strong on paper as the opposition Thewaythewindblows has faced to date. Furiously Fast is a very interesting newcomer and has an entry in a Group One race later in the year so one would expect him to be a useful horse. Watching Keen Move’smost recent start this step back up to seven furlongs ought to suit him and he therefore sets the standard. He did hang on during that race and it may be he prefers this more forgiving surface. Tobouggan Run’s trainer has a lot of winners at this track and as he trains nearby often brings horses to the track to gallop so there is a good chance that the horse has that all important experience on the surface. Its been six weeks since he was last seen on course and he didn’t really look like he knew his job that day. He may have learned plenty in the interim and a better showing wouldn’t be entirely surprising.