3.10pm Wetherby tips for Friday’s Class 3 race. A field of eight go to post for this Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on Friday, raced over the two mile distance. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.
IN SUMMARY: Running with credit on his first hurdling start since June, CORNBOROUGH only weakened out of things late on and he’s a pound lower here. He should come on for that run and with Jamie Hamilton claiming three, he can secure the spoils here for Mark Walford. Aristo Du Plessis has won off twenty pounds higher in the past but his form of late has been woeful and he requires a leap of faith to back here.
1 CORNBOROUGH – Lightly raced over hurdles for Mark Walford and wasn’t disgraced when fifth over course and distance last month. He’s now a pound lower and he’s entitled to come on for that run, so a big performance looks on the cards with Jamie Hamilton claiming three.
2 ARISTO DU PLESSIS – Course and distance winner whose form has declined rapidly in recent starts, well beaten on the flat at Pontefract on seasonal debut. His mark has tumbled and he’s won off 20lbs higher, so he’s impossible to ignore and market support would be very interesting.
3 TYRELL – Won a Juvenile Hurdle when in the care of Alan King but he was four lengths behind Cornborough on his latest start at this venue. He remains with potential but does need to raise his game and others are preferred on this occasion.
4 ANIKNAM – Lightly raced seven year old who hasn’t been seen since November 2015, where he was second in a Sedgefield Handicap. A 724 day absence is huge and although he remains on the same mark as his latest run, he’s more than entitled to need this.
5 SAILORS WARN – Won at Stratford in June at a canter but he’s looked in the handicappers grip in two hurdling runs since, well held off this mark at Towcester in October. He’s clearly capable of better, but he can only be given each way claims here.
6 MINELLA FIVEO – Has been very disappointing on recent starts for Sue Smith, behind several of today’s rival when only ninth over course and distance last month. Softer ground will be a help but he couldn’t be recommended.
7 MAHLERDRAMATIC – Only four runs over hurdles thus far, second two starts ago to a rival who was given far too much freedom out in front. He needed his seasonal debut at Market Rasen in September and remains unexposed, so holds leading claims under a five pound claimer with the tongue-tie on.
8 GOLDEN TOWN – Yet to win from thirteen hurdling starts and he’s been very frustrating to follow, having every chance but failing to put it all in. He was well beaten at Sedgefield when last seen and can only be watched here.