4.10pm Leicester Tips & Betting Preview 28/02/2017

A field of eight go to post as the card starts to wind down at Leicester on Tuesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Jamrham‘s stamina was possibly his undoing in the mud at Hereford on his latest start and he should be much happier this time around but MIDNIGHT MUSTANG looks the much more likely winner of this. Gaining his first victory under rules at the twenty-ninth attempt, Andrew Martin’s ten year old looks likely to build upon that in a mediocre looking race with the drop back in trip not a problem for him. Mikey Hamill retains the ride and claims a valuable 5lb, and he should take all the beating today with everything considered.

1 HIGH ASPIRATIONS – Has been very poor this season and his latest effort at Fontwell in January was another disappointing run from a horse that is seemingly really struggling at present. He was never travelling that day needs the slight drop in trip to get him back to form. Now 4lb below his last winning mark and clearly has a chance on last seasons form, but with how he is currently running he is impossible to recommend and others make far more appeal today. Best avoided.

2 VERY LIVE – Now 2lb below his highest winning mark so is well treated at present, but that is only due to his mediocre performances this season for Paul Webber. He was last seen finishing last at Plumpton last month (2m, Soft), fourteen lengths behind Goring Two and desperately needs to revive to have any chance in this today. Best form is at the two mile trip and he has looked a non stayer at this trip in the past, so on balance he is one to avoid today despite Fergus Gregory taking 10lb off his back.

3 PROUD TIMES – Now 18lb below his last winning mark over fences, but that was incidentally his only win over the larger obstacles and he returned this season when well beaten at Fontwell in January (2m 1f, Soft), losing touch at a reasonably early stage. Clearly well treated and today’s conditions and trip are to suit, but he does still rate as a very risky proposition and others make far more appeal, so he likely best left alone again today.

4 JAMRHAM – Has ran well on all three starts this season for Sam Thomas, starting it off when winning well at Fontwell in December (2m 3f, Good) and despite a 7lb rise, he was narrowly denied at Towcester two weeks later (2m 3f, Good to Soft). Off a pound higher mark, he was likely caught out by the heavy ground when fourth at Hereford (2m 4f, Heavy) and he should be much happier in less testing conditions today. Remains on the same mark and has possibilities with Jamie Moore taking over the ride. Likely place contender and has to be given a second look.

5 GORING TWO – Twelve year old who is almost impossible to predict at this stage of his career, and although he was a good third at Plumpton on his penultimate start (2m, Soft), he was well beaten at Towcester earlier this month after making multiple mistakes. There is no dispute that he has claims if returning to the form of his penultimate run but that is far from guaranteed and his overall record of three wins from thirty-three over fences doesn’t exactly inspire much confidence. Possibly place contender on a going day but isn’t one to rely on heavily.

6 MISS OSCAROSE – Notched up her first chasing win at Plumpton on her penultimate start (2m 3f, Good to Soft), perhaps fortunate that the leader came down two out when she was still two lengths down. She did however back up that effort when third over the same C&D off a 3lb higher mark two weeks ago, only beaten around ten lengths (2m 3f, Soft). Conditions are to suit once again and this trip is clearly a suitable one, so there is no reason for her not to run another valiant effort. Paddy Brennan retains the ride and she has to be respected today.

7 MIDNIGHT MUSTANG – Got off the mark at the twenty-ninth attempt under rules after going close on many, many occasions at Market Rasen on his latest start (2m 7f, Soft). Remains on the same mark today and the drop back in trip is unlikely to be a hindrance as he has placed at this trip in the past. Mikey Hamill once again claims 5lb and he should take all the beating with conditions once again to suit for trainer Andrew Martin.

8 FINNEGAN’S GARDEN – Modest eight year old who has made no impression thus far over fences, with three poor efforts at big prices. His latest run at Plumpton two weeks ago when a long way behind Miss Oscarose represented no improvement as he was ridden along at a very early stage and once again makes little appeal for Zoe Davidson. Frankie Penford claims 10lb but that does little to further his claims and others are readily preferred.