2.45pm Wincanton Tips & Betting Preview 01/12/2016

9 go to post for the 5th at Wincanton for a long distance steeplechase. See our betting tips and full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: A few of these are tough to way up, most notably How’s My Friend who hasn’t run since May 2014 but if returning at the same level he’d have a huge chance of winning this. Preference however is TIKKAPICK, who probably haven’t seen the best of yet and returning to this longer trip should suit. Colin Tizzard can do no wrong lately and this lightly raced gelding can notch up another win for the on fire team. Others to note are Broome Lane and Trehan Cross.

1 HOW’S MY FRIEND – Not seen since May 2014 when finishing midfield at Stratford (3m3f, Good to Soft). Was running consistently well at the time and if returning with similar form he would have huge chances in this race, but a 2 and a half year break is very hard to come back from and probably best watched today.

2 BROOME LANE – Returned last month with a poor effort over hurdles when pulling up at Chepstow over a probably inadequate trip (2m3f, Good to Soft). Very hard to gauge on previous form as its very inconsistent and scattered over different trips, but a career best was posted over 3m2f at Chepstow back in April, which brings him into the equation, so has a place squeak if the return to fences helps.

3 TIKKAPICK – Consistent sort who we probably haven’t seen the best of yet and a return to this trip will help to no end after plugging on over shorter latest at Fontwell (2m5f, Soft). His penultimate effort at Newton Abbot over 3m1f was a career best so the return to a trip similar should be a huge plus and the Tizzard team can do no wrong at present, so everything points to a big run today.

4 ALBATROS DE GUYE – In good form back in the spring, notching up a win at Huntingdon in February (2m3f, Soft) but returned flat at Uttoxeter latest (2m6f, Soft). Upped in trip today and there aren’t much clues in his pedigree to suggest whether that will suit but doesn’t have the most convincing claims at present compared to some.

5 SHANANN STAR – Last seen in April 2015 when 2nd of 4 and arguably unlucky not to win after winner was prematurely eased down (3m1f, Good to Soft). 10yo now and looking exposed despite being lightly raced and probably best watched on his first run since 2015.

6 TREHAN CROSS – Very lightly raced but put in a career best latest when upped to 3m, a staying on 3rd at Exeter. Still early days despite being a 7yo but needs to show more again and prove that run wasn’t a fluke, but Each-Way claims if improving for that effort.

7 MINMORE GREY – Two poor efforts chasing so far and cannot be recommended today.

8 COMICAL RED – Has won off of higher marks over Hurdles but chase record is very poor and unlikely to land a blow today.

myracing Forecast Prices: 2/1 Tikkapick, 3/1 Broome Lane, 5/1 How’s My Friend, 13/2 Shanann Star, 8/1 Albatros De Guye, 9/1 Trehan Cross, 12/1 Comical Red, 33/1 Minmore Grey