3.30pm Stratford Tips and Betting Preview 02/10/2017

3.30pm Stratford tips for Monday’s Class 3 race. The feature race of the day, this competitive handicap hurdle should be an excellent contest. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: Souriyan won easily at Uttoxeter when last seen, however he is up 12 pounds in a tougher race which should put the breaks on him for today. He should struggle to peg back CKALCO DES LOGES who won his second novice hurdle when sauntering to victory at Bangor and there is likely far more to come from this Dan Skelton inmate. Three pound claimer Bridget Andrews retains the ride and a mark of 122 is one this five-year-old can overcome in good style.

1 TANIT RIVER – Seven-year-old who is well treated on the best of his chasing form, but he arrives here on the back of two very poor runs over the larger obstacles. He has plenty to prove back over timber and is best watched for now.

2 SOURIYAN – First-time visor worked wonders when last seen at Uttoxeter, winning by ten lengths and that was after being eased down. He is 12 pounds higher here in a deeper race, but he could improve again and is the main danger to our selection with softer ground fine.

3 BEAU DU BRIZAIS – Consistent sort for Philip Hobbs who won back in April at Taunton, although he’s struggled off this mark the last twice. There are definite signs that the handicapper has caught up to him and, despite holding each way claims, he’s vulnerable for win purposes.

4 FOXY ACT – Has won three novice hurdles this season for Chris Down, but making her handicap debut off this mark in September yielded disappointing results. She was a tailed off last and the handicapper hasn’t budged, which seems harsh and another struggle looks on the cards, with softer ground not ideal.

5 CKALCO DES LOGES – Has won two novice hurdles this year for Dan Skelton, winning well at Bangor when last seen after making most of the running. A mark of 122 isn’t harsh considering he remains with a huge amount of potential and, with Bridget Andrews taking three pounds off his back, he should be very tough to beat.

6 DESERT SENSATION – Won back-to-back races towards the end of 2016 and he was running well off higher marks towards the end of the season. He is likely to have needed his latest run at Worcester as he was making his seasonal return, so he remains of interest here and has to be considered.

7 ZANSTRA – Won off a three pound lower mark over hurdles, but he’s been largely disappointing over fences, proving expensive to follow. He jumped poorly when tailed off at Taunton in February and, although a break is likely to have done him good, he can be easily opposed against some strong rivals.

8 ROTHMAN – Runs for the Chris Gordon team who are in incredible form and he performed well on his return from an absence when third at Fontwell three weeks ago over fences, largely let down by his jumping. He should come on massively for the run and he is on a good mark from last season’s exploits, so has to be considered.

9 ALYA’S EMPEROR – Inconsistent mare who ran well enough when third at Fontwell in September on her hurdling return, but this is a much tougher race and she does need more here. Others bring better form into the contest and she is likely to be found wanting today.