3.10pm Wincanton Tips & Betting Preview 10/05/2016

IN SUMMARY: It’s easy to understand why punters will be drawn to market leader Kilbree Kid, who is now 12lb lower than when landing a valuable prize at Perth last summer and suggested he was returning to form when third at Ludlow three weeks ago. However, he hasn’t been firing on all cylinders for a while now and it could be unwise to assume he’ll build on his latest performance. Preference is for Fight Commander (Non Runner), who has run well on both starts since opening his account over fences at Huntingdon in February. With that selection a Non Runner, BALLYKNOCK LAD (11/1 Each Way) comes here fresh and shouldn’t be written off just yet despite struggling after an early jumping error on his chasing debut in November.

1 Minellahalfcentury – Has been dropped to a dangerous handicap mark and was seemingly back in form when third in military riders’ event at Sandown (3m, soft) in March; however, was pulled up at Newton Abbot last month and now has it all to prove again; blinkers the headgear of choice this time.

2 Ballyknock Lad – Came good over hurdles with convincing success at Chepstow (2m7f, good) just over a year ago and ran well in defeat over that C&D after break in September; always on the back foot after bad early jumping error on chase debut in November and also disappointed back over hurdles later that month, but been given some time off and could still have a decent future over fences.

3 Fight Commander – Well beaten on chase debut at Huntingdon in November but came from off the pace to win there (2m7f, soft) in February and both subsequent runs have been very respectable; seems versatile regarding ground and no surprise if he’s in the thick of things again.

4 Ruapehu – Pulled up after absence in December and was soundly beaten over marathon trip at Cheltenham last month, but now only 1lb higher than when winning this race in 2015 and, with today’s return to decent ground a plus, he can’t be ruled out; sports first-time cheekpieces.

5 Kilbree Kid – Won the Perth Gold Cup off 12lb higher last summer but looked out of sorts after returning from break in the autumn; took big step back in the right direction when third at Ludlow (3m, good) last month, and that piece of form brings him into the equation, but there are no guarantees his revival with gather momentum.

6 Cowards Close – Ran fairly well on consecutive starts in military riders’ event at Sandown in February/March but was pulled up back in a handicap at Market Rasen last month; 5lb lower this time and quite versatile ground-wise, but it’s not easy to predict whether he be in the right mood today.

myracing Forecast Prices: 7/4 Kilbree Kid, 3/1 Fight Commander, 4/1 Minellahalfcentury, 8/1 Ruapehu, Cowards Close, 10/1 Ballyknock Lad