1.50pm Wetherby Tips & Betting Preview 15/05/2017

This is a Class 5 maiden over 1m 2f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: There was lots to like about ALWAHSH’S first run as a 3yo and he can improve again to win this. He was denied by a narrow margin that day and this longer trip will allow him to see his race out better for a stable in fine form of late, including with maidens. Phillip Makin switches from Pilgrim’s Treasure to Powderhouse which is an interesting move and that suggests he’ll be forward enough on debut so he’s worth keeping a close eye on in the betting.

1 ALWAHSH – Just denied his first career success when headed in the final strides by his stablemate at Yarmouth. Even in defeat he ran a nice race that day and he showed plenty of progression from 2 to 3 so there’s every chance he will go on again now and connections will be hopeful of breaking his maiden tag today. Jim Crowley is on board this time and the stable are in form of late (21% strike rate in the past fortnight). Leading chance today now stepped up in trip.

2 BORN TO BE ALIVE – Half-brother to some nice sorts and Karl Burke’s 10,000GNS purchase makes his racecourse debut today. His dam won on her final start as a 2yo over 6 furlongs and she was rated in the mid to high 90’s throughout her career so there’s plenty to like about his profile. He’s probably going to need his first experience on a racetrack but he would be of interest with strong market support.

3 DAWAALEEB – Made his debut in a nice maiden at Newmarket last month, finishing fifth of fourteen. He looked a tad outpaced that day having not found much when under pressure and this step up in trip may just help him come into his race better. Dane O’Neill keeps the partnership intact and he’s one of the likelier winners of this although the stable aren’t in the greatest of form of late with just 2 winners from their last 28 runners.

4 FOXY REBEL – Well-beaten on two starts to date in two average maidens having finished out of the back on each occasion. He’s stepped up in trip today which should certainly aid his cause but he’s vulnerable to much nicer types and he will be better suited to handicap company further down the line. Ruth Carr is another trainer that has gone slightly out of form with just 2 winners from her last 27 runners.

5 PILGRIM’S TREASURE – Made a low-key debut at Ripon towards the end of last month having run green and looked to need further than the mile trip he faced that day. The step up in trip should bring out plenty of improvement in him although he wouldn’t look to be one of Charlie Appleby’s strongest runners and others make slightly more appeal in this. Kevin Stott replaces Phillip Makin in the saddle today.

6 POWDERHOUSE – Half-brother to some smart sorts over similar trips to this. Jockey bookings make for interesting reading given Phillip Makin rode Pilgrim’s Treasure on debut and he now rides Charlie Appleby’s other runner today on debut. Stall 8 is fine and the ground shouldn’t be a problem and the betting should be revealing regarding his chances today and he should be capable of striking on debut.

7 SHYMKENT – Once-raced gelding for Roger Varian and he only managed to beat one rival home in a Nottingham maiden in November. He’s since switched stables to David O’Meara and he’s been gelded over the winter so he’s likely to need his racecourse debut today and is best-watched following that run. The stable have sent out two winners from twelve runners at Wetherby.

8 UBER COOL – Half-brother to a couple of fair sorts that won over this trip and further. His dam was un-raced although he was purchased for 50,000 Euros and he could turn out to be a nice enough sort in time for a yard that have been slightly quiet of late. The trip should suit him (by Born To Sea) although he’s another runner in this that’s likely to need their first experience on a racecourse and others are preferred.

9 BICOLOUR – Sole runner in this for Mark Johnston and he runs an interesting filly by Tiznow. Her dam was a Grade 2 winner on the turf in the US at Saratoga and her sire won in the US as well in Grade 1 company so there’s plenty to like about her profile on today’s fast ground although this trip looks long enough for her on racecourse debut. Worth close attention in the betting and she’s likely to be ridden prominently today.

10 MOD – Half-sister to some average types including winners over further than this. She’s by Sixties Icon who has been slightly disappointing as a sire and she’s probably going to need this racecourse experience today. James Fanshawe has been a little quiet of late, without a winner from 8 runners in the past fortnight and she is likely to want further than this in time. Best watched here.

11 SILK TRADER – 8,000 Euro purchase and Sharon Watt’s runner has been poor in two starts to date. She’s been beaten 31 and 30 lengths respectively on her two starts to date in average maidens and she’s kept over the same trip today on the same ground. She’s going to be seen to much better effect in handicaps off a very low mark and she can only be watched here. A big surprise if she wins today.