2.45pm Towcester Tips & Betting Preview 10/11/2016

Six mares have been declared for a handicap hurdle over about 2m3f on Thursday’s Towcester card. Our full race preview reveals our experts’ betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Bella has a touch of class and, from a workable mark, could be very dangerous if back on song after her break, but she became very unreliable last season and it’s possible today’s trip (particularly on this stiff track) could stretch her stamina.  A better value suggestion is WHAT A SAGA, who ran significantly better than the bare form suggests when fifth on her handicap debut in July and is open to improvement if aided by a tongue-tie today. Lillian appeared to relish the uphill finish here when the wide-margin winner of a 2m5f course maiden in May and is next on the list. Fit The Brief is open to improvement but comes with risks attached over a new trip, having harmed her chance by refusing to settle over 2m on her latest outing.

1 Bella – Inconsistent last season and was beaten when unseating her rider at the final flight on latest outing at Aintree in May, but two of her three wins were gained in quite valuable handicaps; has stamina for today’s trip to prove but is back on a workable mark if on song after her break.

2 Fit The Brief – Held every chance before falling on hurdle debut in May and her subsequent second at Southwell (2m, good) was also promising; didn’t get home after refusing to settle on latest outing in novice company and comes with risks attached now upped in trip, but she’s open to improvement on today’s handicap debut.

3 Lillian – Won a bumper in 2015 and created s good impression on her hurdling debut, drawing 28l clear to collect a 2m5f maiden here in May; disappointed when back in action at Ludlow last month but may fare better now back at this track and with that outing under her belt; runs in her first handicap today.

4 Graceful Legend – Posted the most encouraging of her three runs in novice company when third at Fakenham (2m4f, good) last month; doesn’t look obviously well treated for today’s handicap debut but is open to improvement and her pedigree suggests she’ll be suited by the longer trip here.

5 Saucysioux – Came from a long way off the pace to cause 33/1 surprise in Plumpton maiden (2m4f, heavy) in January but that form looks rather dubious and she was beaten out of sight on both subsequent starts, the more recent when upped to 3m1f for her handicap debut in March.

6 What A Saga – Beaten about 22l when fifth on her handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in July but came from off the pace to challenge at the penultimate flight that day, and can be rated quite a bit better than the bare form; not out of this if she sees her race out better with a tongue-tie now added.

myracing Forecast Prices: 3/1 Fit The Brief, Lillian, 100/30 Bella, 4/1 Graceful Legend, 5/1 What A Saga, 20/1 Saucysioux