2.45pm Stratford Tips & Betting Preview 02/11/2017

2.45pm Stratford tips for Thursday’s Class 3 race. Some very useful types go to post for this Handicap Chase, including one who competed at both the Aintree and Cheltenham Festivals last season. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: The previous two times that GERMANY CALLING has dropped into Class 3 company he’s won – that’s exactly what he does today after struggling in a very tough race on his return to action. His current mark is more than fair on the best of his form and with race fitness now on his side, he shouldn’t be for catching. The main danger will be Starchitect who drops in grade after two great runs at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals earlier this year.

1 GERMANY CALLING – Front-runner who made most to win at Doncaster four starts ago, now only four pounds above that mark. He was pulled up in a competitive race on return and this is much easier as he’s won his last two attempts in this class. This is his best trip and with a soft lead likely, he shouldn’t be for catching.

2 STARCHITECT – Very talented dual purpose horse who was fifth at the Cheltenham Festival back in March, running well in defeat the last twice. This is much easier than what he’s used to facing and with conditions to suit, he looks the one to beat.

3 MERCIAN PRINCE – Completed a double earlier this year for Amy Murphy and this lightly raced sort wasn’t beaten far at Kempton when last seen in a very competitive race. He’s on the same mark and on his return he shouldn’t be far away.

4 CUT THE CORNER – Won twice earlier this year for Alastair Ralph and he’s not been disgraced in defeat the last twice, fifth at Ludlow when last seen in a competitive race for the grade. He doesn’t look well handicapped against some of these and couldn’t be put forward.

5 OLIVER’S HILL – Arrives here on a hat-trick for Lawney Hill, winning a Kempton Handicap on his latest start by a comfortable two lengths. He’s now five pounds higher but clearly is in great heart and has conditions to suit, so he’s in the frame.

6 THE GEEGEEZ GEEGEE – Has won two of his three runs since joining the Olly Murphy yard, darting clear to win at Stratford last month in stylish fashion. He’s now eight pounds higher in a tougher race though which should find him out.

7 WHISPERING HARRY – Painfully inconsistent sort who hasn’t won over fences since January 2015, now four pounds lower after two dismal efforts earlier this year over both codes. Hard to make a case for him returning from a 264 day break.