2.45pm Bath Tips & Betting Preview 17/09/2017

Maximum field of seventeen for this sprint handicap, a competitive contest in the making. Our runner by runner preview and expert tip are below.

IN SUMMARY: LANGLEY VALE has already placed twice in 2017 at this Class 6 level from a mark two pounds higher than today. This race will be set up perfectly for him to track the pace before putting his six furlong strength to good use up the hill. David’s Beauty won last time out at Chepstow, continuing a smart run of recent form, she looks sure to be in the mix once more. Whiteley is a solid yardstick at this level, she should at least make the frame with the excellent David Egan in the plate.

1 LANGLEY VALE – Twice placed at this level this season from a higher perch, he is lurking on a dangerous mark these days. He has winning and placed form on good to soft so conditions should be no issue for him, with a big field and strong pace playing perfectly to his strengths with his six furlong form allowing him to pick his way through the field up the hill and prove strongest at the line.

2 RAPID RISE – Yet to get his head in front in ten starts but he showed plenty of promise when with his previous yard. He has shown little in a pair of starts so far for Milton Bradley, those coming close together off the back of a break having been gelded. He is a long way down the weights compared to his opening handicap mark so it would be no shock if Bradley found the key to him sooner rather than later.

3 POSH BOUNTY – Thrown in on the best of her form with cut in the ground suiting, but she has been a long way below her best in recent starts. A winner off 71 last season, she is down to 58 here so may tempt a few in given that mark but she needs to show more before she can be supported with any confidence.

4 CEE JAY – Had to slide eighteen pounds from his opening gambit before he finally got his head in front at the eighteenth time of asking. He followed that up with another solid effort last time so he looks ready to finally fulfil the potential he showed as a juvenile. He went well on soft ground in his youth although well beaten on it at this track earlier this year. Each way chance if in the same frame of mind once more.

5 TIME MEDICEAN – Just 5/75 in his career, he has made a habit out of flattering to deceive. He ran well at Brighton last time, once more looking as if he was one to follow when next seen, but burnt fingers in the past suggest he is anything but. Hasn’t got his head in front since March 2014, that losing run should be extended another one now.

6 DAVID’S BEAUTY – Does the best of her running with cut in the ground, she got her head in front last time out at Chepstow. That is her fourth smart effort from her last five races so is well worth keeping in mind while she is in smart form. She won from two pounds higher in August 2016 so she is still well enough treated after that recent win to play a leading role once more.

7 WHITELEY – Consistent form this season from five furlongs up to seven, she has run well from this mark the last twice. She wouldn’t want the ground too soft but this extended five furlongs on a uphill finish should suit her down to the ground. David Egan is a smart apprentice so she may not miss having Silvestre De Sousa on her back here, solid each way chances.

8 TERMSNCONDITIONS – Twice a narrow winner on the Polytrack at Lingfield in the spring. He was a little flat when last seen on his return from a gelding operation, more disappointing given that one of the Lingfield wins was when fresh. He is only lightly raced and sports a first time visor here so is still capable of better, has an each way shout if he can channel his artificial surface form on the turf.

9 KAABAR – Bounced right back to form on his debut for Michael Blake when scoring at Nottingham. A three pound rise in the weights isn’t excessive on that but on past form he is no good thing to follow one good run up with another. Would have an each way chance if he can but would prefer to sit and watch him on this occasion.

10 KINGSTREET LADY – A single win from twenty-four career starts, that came over this course and distance on firm ground. A softer surface is no issue for her, in the frame on good to soft and heavy ground. Was only three-quarters of a length behind David’s Beauty at Chepstow last time with first time cheekpieces helping, each way chance again if they work once more.

11 ANGELITO – Both career wins have come at this track but they were way back in 2012. He rediscovered a little bit of form when third here in July but has always struggled when the ground is on the soft side, easy enough to pass over.

12 TALLY’S SONG – She has finished no closer than fourth in twenty-four career starts. She copes well with soft ground and has performed close to her best in outings at this track. It would be a little disappointing for the future form of this contest however if she were able to get her head in front.

13 CAPTAIN SCOOBY – Closing in on two hundred career races, he has always gone well with cut in the ground. A big field and strong pace suit his run style, as he is at his best when able to weave his way through runners from the back. He is on a winnable mark at his best but slow starts have been costing him this season.

14 ARIZONA SNOW – Hasn’t got his head in front since December 2015, August 2014 the last time he won on turf. He has shown next to nothing in six starts so far in 2017, would be a shock to see him in the winners enclosure on this occasion.

15 SILVER PENNY – Showed promise as a juvenile but she has sunk like a stone down the handicap in 2017. She acts well with cut in the ground and has form here last autumn. She showed a smidge more in a pair of starts on the Polytrack in August so she may be close to at least making the frame if she can build on them.

16 AMBERINE – Hasn’t shown much in four starts so far including a pair here. She is in the right hands to find races but she may need a bit more time to mature first before she is a realistic winning prospect.

17 STRIKING FOR GOLD – Showed a little promise on his debut at Wolverhampton in January but has not come close to that since. He finished last in a seller last time out and is impossible to support until he shows a little more.