2.30pm Wetherby Tips & Betting Preview 13/04/2017

A field of nine go to post for the second  race of the day at Wetherby on Thursday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Clear of all of these on ratings, if MISTER SPRINGSRONG returns to this discipline at anywhere near his best he will be very tough to beat for Brian Ellison and Danny Cook. Better known as a chaser, he has been running well in Class 3 races this season, finishing a good third at Catterick on his penultimate start in a much tougher race than this. He was poor when last seen at Newcastle in February, but he didn’t seem right that day and is obviously capable of much better. He last ran over hurdles in November 2014 but that is of little concern as he should have no problem back over timber and with conditions to suit and such a drop in class, he should be very tough to beat. He can be followed home by Mr Snoozy and a running on Ballyrock, who may well need further.

1 MR SNOOZY – Not the most consistent of horses but has run very well the last twice, winning at Sedgefield in January before a gutsy effort to finish second over further here two months later, outpaced before staying on again. He is likely to go well again in similar conditions, though there would have to be some concern that dropping back in trip may not suit after that latest outing. Conceding at least 4lb to all his rivals and can be taken on this time with all things considered.

2 NEWSTART – Surged past Mr Snoozy on his penultimate start here over further, needing all of the distance to take victory after losing the lead at the last before rallying. Back into handicap company on his latest start he was well beaten at Market Rasen, weakening quite tamely and immediately drops back into selling company. Only been given four days off which has to be of concern, with him worse off with Mr Snoozy even with a 7lb claimer on board. Cheekpieces need to have a drastic effect and perhaps he’s best left here.

3 STILO BLUE NATIVE – Midfield in most of his runs this season in handicap company before a good effort on his first attempt in selling company, finishing second behind an inform Akula who was given it all his own way out in front. He now goes up markedly in trip which could suit on the basis of that staying on run, with his point to point form suggesting he should be able to stay. He does have 11lb to find on ratings with Mr Snoozy, but he does receive 4lb from that rival and the cheekpieces go on so he can’t be ruled out completely.

4 BALLYROCK – Been chasing this season in the main for Tim Vaughan and hasn’t necessarily been disgraced on a few occasions, finishing fifth at Lingfield in December, albeit well beaten. Down in class for this and his latest hurdles run wasn’t a bad effort when fourth at Hereford, staying on for that modest position in the circumstances. This trip does look on the sharp side though and he’d certainly appreciate surface, so may just be found lacking when the kick for home in this. Place claims if they go a strong clip, but that isn’t necessarily guaranteed.

5 COPT HILL – Has been running his race on occasion this season in very modest handicaps, finishing third at Sedgefield on his latest run in a poor looking race and he looks up against it in this on these terms. He has 55lb to find on ratings with Mister Springsprong and is only receiving 10lb from that rival, so it’s very hard to envisage he can land any sort of blow under Lorcan Murtagh. Others readily preferred.

6 EXIT TO FREEDOM – One win from 39 starts under rules and although he produced his best effort for a long while when fifth at Market Rasen, he has a very tough task on these terms. He’s rated very much inferior to the top horses in the market so despite him having suitable conditions and now something to build on, he is impossible to recommend as he has far too much to find against quite a few of these.

7 MISTER SPINGSPRONG – Better know as a chaser for Brian Ellison and has been performing to a very good standard in terms of this race, finishing third at Catterick in January in a much more competitive race than this. First hurdling run since November 2014 but that isn’t too much of a concern as he is away and clear on ratings from these, with conditions to suit and the booking of Danny Cook a big plus. If at his best he looks very tough to beat in this.

8 VERCINGETORIX – Highly tried since 2016 but has been well out of form for a very long time now on the flat and over both types of obstacles. He has been soundly beaten the last twice on he all weather and prior to that he was a no show at Leicester over hurdles at Southwell, though he does take a class drop for this. Even in spite of that though he has lots to prove at present and perhaps too much for us on this occasion.

9 COOLANURE – Form figures of PPUUPP this season shows the full story and even the best of her form over hurdles wouldn’t be anywhere near enough to play a prominent role in this contest for Kenny Johnston. There are no positive points to him and she’s best alone.