2.30pm Brighton Tips & Betting Preview 02/05/2017

Nine handicappers go to post as it’s race two at Brighton on Tuesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Not given a hard time of it after suffering interference round the bend which gave her no chance, BABY GAL was nursed home afterwards and with a clearer passage she should be capable of much better off the same mark. William Carson takes the ride and if staying out of trouble she’ll be fighting on hard for Jim Boyle and gets the nod from us to gain her first handicap victory. Foxcatcher is likely to be in there fighting and Raffle King cannot be ignored on handicap debut.

1 FOXCATCHER – Got off the mark at the fifth time of asking when winning a maiden at Windsor in October, finally delivering on promise shown in four prior races where she placed once. That Windsor maiden was admittedly poor but she took it well as expected and should be much more at home on handicap debut with Hector Crouch taking off 3lb. An opening mark of 72 seems about right and she is entitled to go close for Clive Cox, though she’d perhaps prefer softer ground.

2 RAFFLE KING – Showed ability in maidens for Mick Channon, with perhaps his best effort coming when a good third on debut over the five furlong trip here in April 2016. He was last seen finishing third on the all weather at Kempton after near a year off the track in a decent performance, staying on far too late after being blocked at the two furlong pole. He should be happier now in handicaps and a mark of 70 could underestimate his potential, with Charles Bishop taking the ride. Likely contender and has to be considered.

3 KIRIBATI – Still a maiden after six runs but has shown ability on a number occasions, finishing second at Musseulburgh in October for his third place effort of his career. He has been gelded since last season and returns for his handicap debut of a mark of 70, which doesn’t look particularly harsh. Likely to go close for Mark Johnston whose having a fine period and needs a second look.

4 OTOMO – Another who makes his handicap debut after showing some ability in maiden contests, last seen finishing second at Southwell in November when headed inside the final furlong. A mark of 67 is okay but more is certainly required and there is no guarantee the drop back in trip will work, though his running style of being in the van throughout at longer trips suggests he will give it a good go. Place claims but others make slightly more appeal.

5 BABY GAL – Suffered interference on the bend on her latest start at Lingfield where she couldn’t get a gap and was nursed home afterwards when her chance was gone, keeping on under hands and heel before being eased. She goes back down to the trip she won her maiden at which should help and a mark of 66 shouldn’t be beyond her if getting the rub of the green this time around. She remains on the same mark and with a clear run of things this time around under William Carson, she looks to be dangerous and perhaps over priced.

6 PASTFACT – Solidly out of form in handicaps towards the end of last season for Malcolm Saunders, well beaten on both runs, with his last attempt at Windsor another dismal effort. Despite the struggles, he’s only been taken down three pounds by the handicapper and it’s hard to fancy him on seasonal debut with how poor he was towards the end of last season. Likely best watched.

7 PULSATING – Both of her two wins to date have come at the six furlong trip in all weather selling races and that has shown the last twice when put back into handicap company, well beaten at Lingfield when last seen in April. She remains on the same mark and hard to fancy until she starts to drop down the weights in handicap company, so she is passed over in this.

8 HIDDEN STASH – Broke her maiden at Brighton back in August but he has been unable to win since and hasn’t really gone close either, not improving at all it would seem for Andrew Balding. Connections reach for headgear in a bid to eek out some improvement and although that could do the trick, he’s hard to put forward with how poor he’s been so far in handicaps. Possible place claims but he remains risky at present.

9 BILLY’S BOOTS – Has been running better of late dropped back to the minimum trip, finishing third at Southwell when last seen in April but the field was well strung out despite it only being a five furlong race. He doesn’t appear to be particularly well handicapped at present and could do with the handicapper relenting in the weights, though the return to turf could help him as he does have better form on it. Possible place claims but hard to recommend for the win.