3.30pm Beverley Tips & Betting Preview 10/05/2016

IN SUMMARY: This isn’t as competitive as the numbers might suggest and the one to be with is course specialist HULCOLT (8/1 Each Way), who was sent clear 2f out when fourth over C&D on his seasonal debut last week and can hit the target this time if ridden with slightly more patience. Front-runner Marsh Pride is on a fairly tough mark but his fourth at York in October was an excellent effort and he can make a bold bid here. Next on the list is Chiswick Bey, who has never raced over quite this far but has often shaped as though today’s trip might suit and ended last season with a Polytrack win.

1 Marsh Pride – Front-runner who ended last season with creditable fourth in valuable event at York (1m1f, good to soft) in October; not in same form on last month’s reappearance and remains on fairly tough mark, but still enters calculations.

2 Hard To Handel – Sold out of Ralph Beckett stable for 11,500gns after midfield finish at Newbury in October; new trainer often does well with new recruits but this one goes without his usual cheekpieces on first start for 200 days and recorded his best piece of form on soft ground.

3 Taper Tantrum – Placed in valuable 1m2f handicap at Epsom on Derby day on last year’s seasonal debut but was generally disappointing afterwards; comes here after very respectable third at Chelmsford (1m, AW) last month but runs off 2lb higher turf mark today and others make more appeal.

4 Count Montecristo – Became very expensive to follow in maidens last season; eventually got the job done, at Hamilton (8.3f, good) in September, and his current handicap mark shouldn’t be beyond him, but it might still be wise to have reservations.

5 Plane Song – Won a Salisbury maiden (1m2f, good to firm) for Sir Michael Stoute last summer but was sold for 16,000gns after two disappointing handicap runs; well down the field (albeit on soft ground) when reappearing for new stable last month and has lots to prove at present.

6 Hulcolt – Has gained all three career wins over 7.5f here and made very encouraging seasonal reappearance when fourth over C&D last week, when very keen to get on with things and probably making his bid for glory too soon; good chance today if more relaxed this time.

7 Border Bandit – Has often run well over this C&D but is getting rather long in the tooth now and posed no threat here on recent seasonal debut; might have needed that outing and is on a realistic mark, but has more to prove than some of these.

8 Auspicion – Failed to progress after winning 1m Ripon maiden for William Haggas just over a year ago and was offloaded by that stable in the autumn; comfortably held in seventh on both outings for new trainer this year and needs to up his game.

9 Pumaflor – Won twice for Richard Guest last season (7f/1m) and was placed off today’s mark on latest Flat start in October; can be excused subsequent defeat in a heavy-ground maiden hurdle but makes stable debut after 167-day break and needs to be in peak form to have any chance.

10 Regal Ways – Reverts to the Flat after failing fully to convince in three novice hurdles this year; scored over 1m4f on this sphere in September but may find today’s trip too sharp nowadays and others look better handicapped.

11 Chiswick Bey – Signed off with hard-fought AW win in October (7f); competes off higher mark on turf but he’s a better horse on this surface; never raced over quite this far but stays a stiff 1m well; on workable mark and can make his presence felt if fully revved up.

12 Farham – Dug deep to prevail in three-way photo and open account at ninth time of asking at Haydock last month; up in class here but only been raised 2lb and the slightly increased emphasis in stamina here is in his favour.

13 Zeshov – Awarded a 7f Newmarket handicap when in the care of Jeremy Noseda last summer but quickly went off the boil afterwards and was well-beaten 50/1 shot (albeit on soft ground) when reappearing for new stable last month; too much to prove.

14 Inspector Norse – Disappointed on all three starts for Sylvester Kirk last season, the latest when down the field at Windsor (1m2f) in July; been dropped 5lb since then but could be considered only if attracting market support before debut for new stable.

myracing Forecast Prices: 4/1 Count Montecristo, 6/1 Taper Tantrum, Farham, 7/1 Hard To Handel, Hulcolt, 10/1 Chiswick Bey, 12/1 March Pride, 14/1 Border Bandit, Pumaflor, Regal Ways, 161 Auspicion, 25/1 Plane Song, Inspector Norse, 33/1 Zeshov