ARQ007

This recent addition to the De Bromhead string was previously with Stuart Crawford and ran a great race on debut in the bumper at the Punchestown Festival, finishing second behind Sermandzarak (who was having his second start). The winner ran well recently on his hurdling debut when touched off by the De Bromhead-trained Butch Cassidy in a strong maiden hurdle at Punchestown. So the form looks decent and I'll take these odds.

Barry Connell's 6yo Westerner gelding won his first 2 starts in bumpers, beating a decent Mullins prospect (who's subsequently won a maiden hurdle this month). Then showed a useful turn of foot to win second time out. Didn't have much go right when 10¾ lengths third of 12 to Redemption Day in the Champion NH Flat Race at Punchestown (16.6f) on final outing in that sphere, so a very interesting hurdling debutant.

Things look to be back on the up for Southend as a consortium led by an Aussie businessman just completed the takeover of a club that was in the second tier in 2007 (when they also reached the League Cup QFs). Manager Kevin Maher has worked wonders during his time in charge, navigating a transfer embargo and spells where he and his players were not paid. Despite all the off-field noise, Maher guided the club to a ninth-placed finish last term ??" if not for a 10-point deduction, they’d have made the play-offs and finished sixth. That performance was built on defensive solidity - no side conceded fewer than their 45 goals (20 less than title winners Chesterfield). Only 21 conceded at Roots Hall, the lowest total in the league, and they will again try to turn their home ground into a fortress. The club reported last week that they're on course to sell more season tickets than since that 2006/07 season in the Championship.” So with positivity all around, some shrewd acquisitions and the foundations to mount a serious challenge at the top of the table I think they can go well.