4.10pm Yarmouth Tips & Betting Preview 21/09/2017

A field of eight go to post for the feature race of the day at Yarmouth on Thursday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: The market believes firmly that Alqamar can pull out something extra now upped in trip, but the fact that he found nothing off the bridle on his latest start is concerning and preference is for his Ascot conqueror GREAT HALL. Mick Quinn’s seven-year-old arrives on a hat-trick after beating that aforementioned rival by half a length with a strong late burst and he looks sure to be suited by this extra distance. He’s only a pound worse off with Alqamar and can make it a hat-trick of gutsy wins.

1 GREAT HALL – Arrives here on a hat-trick for Mick Quinn having won twice at the 1m 4f trip at Ascot, battling on gamely to edge out Alqamar on his latest start. He looks sure to be suited by the extra distance today as he shapes as a true stayer, only one pound worse off with Alqamar on this occasion. That rival doesn’t look like the heartiest of battlers and he should have more than enough to edge him out again here under Martin Harley and he looks tough to beat,

2 THEYDON GREY – Progressive this season for William Haggas and he landed himself a hat-trick under Georgia Cox when winning a two mile event at York in July, with that form being franked since. He missed out on a four timer when below par at Newmarket on his latest start which is of some concern, but a bounce back to form would be no surprise. He goes on softer ground and if back to his improving ways he looks like a big danger here.

3 CLIFF FACE – Inconsistent sort for Sir Mark Prescott who is useful on her day, as proven by her latest start at Chester where the race didn’t go her way. She dwelt from the stalls and then got squeezed for room soon after the start, again being blocked when looking for room inside the final furlong. She wasn’t beaten far, all things considered, and she’s three pounds lower here, so is definitely one to contemplate for powerful connections.

4 ZENON – Won a good prize when staying on much the strongest to power clear at Haydock in July, not disgraced at Chester subsequently when third in a tough race. He was, however, disappointing on his latest start when well beaten in a Listed race. He was tailed off on that occasion so does need to bounce back here for John Gosden – that couldn’t be discounted as he’s unexposed. Ryan Moore takes the ride and he’s one to note.

5 WILLIAM HUNTER – Hasn’t won since September 2016, but he’s now only two pounds higher in the handicapper, running consistently well of late for Alan King. He wasn’t beaten far at Haydock in August when not able to find his stride fast enough and he is likely to be happier back under professional handling. He should appreciate a return to 1m 6f and looks a strong each way contender with conditions fine.

6 ALQAMAR – Lightly raced son of Dubawi for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin who won three starts ago at York by a comfortable margin. His subsequent effort when ninth in the Queen’s Vase (Group 2) at Royal Ascot was far from a bad effort and he was only half a length behind Great Hall on his latest start. He travelled up like the winner that day, but was headed late by that rival and had no response, so he does need to raise his game, despite the revised weights. He looks likely to struggle at reversing terms with only a one pound pull as his battling qualities have to be questioned.

7 NADAITAK – Three-year-old for Sir Michael Stoute who has progressed nicely since debuting at Salisbury in April, though he has been somewhat frustrating to follow on recent starts. He was sent off 6/5 favourite for his latest start at Kempton but ran a strange race, dropping out three furlongs from home before running on when it was all over. His profile suggests that he can do better in time, but he remains risky and others are preferred on this occasion.

8 STAR OF THE EAST – Front-runner for Mark Johnston who has been running well of late without threatening to poke his head in front. He was beaten a fair way on his latest start at Musselburgh when allowed to dictate his own steady fractions and further improvement is needed up in class if he’s to win this. He’s unlikely to get a soft lead here and others have far more convincing profiles.