1.45pm Wincanton Tips & Betting Preview 01/12/2016

Just the six go to post for this race with £7,596 up for grabs for the winner. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: A few of these have been soundly beaten recently so it may be best left to Cyclop and HEROES OR GHOSTS. The former was an excellent third in the Southern National last month and will go close off the same mark, but that was a hard race over further and he may just be vulnerable to the Jo Davis runner who was not at his best when only just denied at Uttoxeter last month and should figure prominently here at a decent price.

1 Silver Commander – Won over Fences at Chepstow last year, scoring comfortably by eight lengths in a 4-runner Handicap Chase. Off since and made comeback at Exeter last month finishing 8^th of 10. Should come on for that run and on the same mark as Chepstow win but may find a couple too good today.

2 Ardkilly Witness – Pulled up on last run at Carlisle in October and has been in poor form since his decent second behind a useful rival at Sandown in March in the Grand Military Gold Cup. On a workable mark and wears blinkers for the first time but others look stronger in this given his recent form has been hit-and-miss.

3 Danimix – Won back-to-back Handicaps for Peter Bowen last year, comfortably winning at Fontwell by seven lengths from the useful Shantou Tiger from the Donald McCain yard and then followed up at Chepstow, scoring by another facile ten lengths. Has had three runs already since joining Neil Mulholland and hasn’t come close to showing his earlier form. Best watched for now.

4 Saint Raph – Won back-to-back Handicaps in April, first at Wincanton by 1 ½ lengths and then in easy fashion at Taunton 16 days later by 14 lengths. Pulled-up at Cheltenham 19 days ago off a higher mark and may just struggle once again in this.

5 Cyclop – Won a Handicap Chase in good style at Warwick a year ago and fair form since. Looked as good as ever when six lengths back in third in the Southern National at Fontwell 18 days ago. Races off the same mark today and has a good chance of getting his nose in front today. Big player.

6 Heroes Or Ghosts – Won a Point in Ireland and followed up his Chase debut at Huntingdon in February with a fine second at Warwick next time out. Half-length down on seasonal re-appearance at Uttoxeter 19 days ago. Could go close here if staying this trip.