1.40pm Towcester Tips & Betting Preview 15/12/2016

9 go to post for the 4th race on Towcester’s card, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: In a race full of inconsistency and lack of form, it may well be worth sticking with UMBERTO D’OLIVATE, who won last time out on his seasonal reappearance at Exeter and is a consistent performer in the main. He should be able to build on that effort and go back to back today. The main danger may well be Yanmere who is on a hat-trick for the Nigel Twiston-Davies team but has another 12lb rise to contend with.

1 ROADIE JOE – Very lightly raced 10 year old who isn’t one to rely on heavily and has never been the most consistent, returning this year with a below par 7th at Exeter (3m, Soft). If getting back to his best he’d have a big chance in this race but its hard to be confident when his last win came back in February 2015.

2 AMIDON – Was in good form at this time last year with 1 win and two placed efforts but has been nowhere near that on the 4 runs since, pulling up latest at Market Rasen (3m, Soft). Never travelled that day and may have needed it as it was his reappearance but his profile is far from appealing and possibly best left alone today.

3 UMBERTO D’OLIVATE – Consistent performer in the main and returned this season at Exeter with a smooth success making all in good style (3m, Good). Ground and trip are absolutely fine today and in a race full of inconsistent runners he may well be able to run them into the ground from the front and go back to back today.

4 SUNNY LEDGEND – Won in heavy ground conditions at Market Rasen in January (2m5f, Heavy) but hasn’t been anywhere near his best since. Ideally would want the ground softer and may be vulnerable today.

5 ROYAL NATIVE – Lightly raced over fences and has won over these obstacles in the past when winning well at Exeter in March 2015 (3m, Good). Returned from an absence when unseating quite early on and should come on for that effort and remains with potential, so has to be considered.

6 EMMA SODA – 11 year old mare who’s in good form at present, winning twice this year. This is her reappearance and is entitled to need it so probably best watched, as she also may need more of a stamina test these days.

7 MIDNIGHT REQUEST – Lightly raced 7 year old who would have a good chance at his best, last winning back in March 2015 at this trip at Southwell in good ground conditions. Not seen since October 2015 when all but tailed off at Exeter (3m, Good) and probably best watched on his return.

8 YANMERE – Raised another 12lb for a comfortable success at Warwick last month so will need to take another giant step forward, however he is only a 6 year old and is receiving lots of weight from his rivals which is a plus. Cannot be discounted with any confidence.

9 KILCASAN – Running well at present an scored on his penultimate start at Worcester (2m7f, Good) and wasn’t disgraced when 3rd of 6 at Stratford back in October (2m6f, Good). Can make his presence felt off of a lowly weight and has each way claims due to his consistency.