12.55pm Leicester Tips & Betting Preview 28/12/2017

IN SUMMARY: Just the four runners go to post here but still a tough one to call though GREGARIOUS may yet have the best claims if able to repeat his recent Sandown fourth that stands out in the context of this race. All the others have equal claims and it could be a close call for second, though Master Of Verse may just steal second spot.

1 MASTER OF VERSE – Moved from Noel Meade in Ireland to Venetia Williams earlier this month and has his first run here for his new connections. Four runs over fences worryingly saw him refuse at Kilbeggan and he is yet to place in the other three efforts though he was “only” beaten thirteen and a half lengths at Downpatrick last time out. Interestingly he is sent handicapping here as opposed to continuing on the novice route so presumably a rating of 120 is considered generous and he could well run a big race here in this small field.

2 ACCORD – A big bull of a horse he started his chasing career with a win at Fontwell and bigger things were expected after that effort. Sadly, three starts since haven’t seen him bothering the judge again, with a ten and a half-length sixth to Workforce at Sandown last time out, with Gregarious ahead of him in fourth. He is dropping down the handicap and heading toward a mark he can win from but has it all to prove at present, though Tom Scudamore knows him well and will do his best to get a tune out of him here

3 GREGARIOUS – Holds Accord on Sandown form and finished six and a half lengths in front of that rival last time out when finishing a very good four lengths fourth. Three pounds worse off today he ought to comfortably confirm that form and if he is ridden nearer to the early pace today as expected then his chances of adding to previous victories can only increase accordingly as he was possibly left with a bit too much to do last time out.

4 MYROUNDORUS – An interesting contender for trainer Robin Dickin with the form to get involved but a long absence to overcome. His four runs over fences saw a couple of wins at Worcester followed by a second at the same track and a third at Newton Abbot but that was in July 2016 and he hasn’t been seen since. The stable are none from ten in the last two weeks which is another concern, but Charlie Poste is a decent jockey and if he is 90% race-fit after his absence, he could be a very serious danger to them all.