7.00pm Stratford Tips & Betting Preview 10/06/2017

A field of seven go to post for this competitive handicap at Stratford on Saturday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: In truth there is unlikely to be much between Rossetti and BURNING HEAT, but preference is for the latter to reverse the form of their latest run with natural improvement. James Eustace’s four year old is still a maiden after four hurdling runs but he remains with potential in this sphere, pushing Rossetti hard on that latest start and if settling better this time around, he should be able to sweep on by and record his first win over timber. Court Minstrel is unlikely to be far away but top weight makes this tough.

1 COURT MINSTREL – Ten year old for Evan Williams who is on a very attractive mark at present, now five pounds below his last winning mark and this is much easier than his recent assignments in big field handicaps of late. He was last seen coming home strongly at Haydock in the Swinton Hurdle and he remains on the same mark, with conditions here to suit and Adam Wedge retaining the ride. He has to be considered a massive danger out of graded company and he likely to go close once again, though 11st 12lb doesn’t make this easy.

2 ROSSETTI – Twice a winner in the summer for Neil Mulholland before he started to struggle on three subsequent runs, well beaten on one and pulled up on the other two. Back down to a mark of 132, he capitalised on that when winning at Warwick on his latest start sixteen days ago and a three pound rise still sees him well treated with the in form Noel Fehily taking the ride. Conditions will suit and there is no reason why he shouldn’t go well again, though he may struggle to maintain the form with Burning Heat who reopposes him with perhaps more potential. Considered nonetheless.

3 RED TORNADO – Five year old who is firmly in the grip of the handicappers for Dan Skelton, winning five times in a row last season but things haven’t been as straight forward for a while now. He was seven lengths behind Rossetti and Burning Heat on his latest start and it’s hard to see a turn around with those despite a change in the weights, as he is only down a pound and those two rivals are in much better form. Conditions fine and Bridget Andrews takes off three pounds once again, but he’s likely to fall short until the handicapper gives him a chance.

4 MILROW – Dr Richard Newland four year old who won four starts ago over hurdles in juvenile company and although he was second on handicap debut at Wetherby in October, he couldn’t back that up when well beaten at Musselburgh a week later. He returned this year on the flat where he last at Lingfield and more is needed back over hurdles off a five pound higher mark than his Musselburgh one. Conditions to suit and Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride, but there are likely to be other days.

5 BARMAN – Four time winner hurdles for Nicky Henderson, winning at Warwick in September three starts ago before falling at Chepstow when struggling at the time off a three pound higher mark. He was last seen at Newbury in November in a competitive event, running very poorly to finish sixth and more is needed after a 219 day absence. He does however return off a two pound lower mark with the ground to suit, so he isn’t one to discount under Nico De Boinville. Possible each way contender as he is still lightly raced and a career best would be no surprise.

6 EXCELLENT TEAM – Second runner for Dan Skelton who looks to be the stable first string with Harry Skelton up, but he doesn’t look well handicapped on what he has shown of late. He was beaten at short odds in a Novices’ Hurdle at Ludlow in April and back in handicap company on his latest start he was behind Rossetti, Burning Heat and Red Tornado at Warwick two weeks ago. A turn around with his stable mate is possible if he jumps better this time around as he has also been dropped three pounds in the ratings, but it looks a very tough ask for him to reverse placings with the other two rivals who are clearly in better form.

7 BURNING HEAT – Although he’s still a maiden after twelve runs under both codes, James Eustace’s four year old posted a clear career best on his latest start when pushing Rossetti hard at Warwick, with those two well clear of both Red Tornado and Excellent Team. He still remains with potential in this sphere, with Jack Quinlan retaining the ride which is an obvious plus. If he settles better this time he looks likely to turn around the form and break his maiden at the thirteenth attempt.