3.40pm Leciester Tips & Betting Preview 28/12/2016

A 12 runner handicap is the final race of the day as the curtains close at Leicester on Wednesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: It may be worth taking a chance on MIXCHIEVOUS for the stable who won the race last year with a similar type. He’s still totally unexposed and did himself no injustice when 5th on handicap debut in a hot looking race, and is now dropped 2lb with Charlie Deutch taking off a further 3lb. He should be capable of much better so has to be respected for the Venetia Williams team, with the likely danger being Sleepy Haven if he can build on his latest start in conditions which may not suit him.

1 VERCINGETORIX – Running well enough on the flat but doesn’t seem to be liking hurdling much these days and impossible to recommend after two lacklustre efforts over fences a few weeks ago.

2 SLEEP HAVEN – Ran well latest when a close 3rd at Lingfield last month (2m, Soft) but would ideally want the ground soft at the very least and his last win came back in January 2015 which tempers enthusiasm somewhat. Should be in with a shout of placing but will need more today.

3 FAVORITE GIRL – Seems to put the odd good run in now and then but very inconsistent in the main, with a last hurdles win coming back in February 2015. Would have a place chance if putting his right foot forward but that isn’t guaranteed and probably best left alone today.

4 COUSIN KHEE – Ran well enough after a 6 month absence when finishing 4th of 7 over 2m 4f here earlier in the month, and he’s more than capable of a good run if on a going day. Should be in with a chance of placing but some caution has to be advised due to his patchy record over hurdles.

5 EXITAS – Showed a tiny bit of promise after a break when 6th of 10 at Huntington for his new yard (Alex Hales) earlier this month, but his overall record over hurdles doesn’t inspire much confidence and he hasn’t won since November 2014. Doesn’t strike as the likeliest winner today.

6 OZZY THOMAS – Easily brushed aside at Chepstow on penultimate start before falling at Ludlow latest both over fences at the 2 mile trip. 1-9 over hurdles but is quite lightly raced and only a 6 year old so could be capable of better so worth a second look in the market today.

7 AENGUS – The drop back to the 2 mile trip seems a questionable move and his overall record of 1-10 doesn’t make for fantastic reading. Well beaten on both starts this season and best left alone today.

8 HARTSIDE – Finished a close 3rd at Wetherby on Boxing Day over this trip and conditions will be fine once again today. If being turned out so quickly isn’t an issue then he could have place claims should he build upon that good showing.

9 PERSEID – Raised 6lb for his latest win at Sedgefield earlier this month when rallying very well after looking beaten towards the final fence (2m, Good to Soft). The rise demands more from him but should run his race, with the Sue Smith yard having a few winners of late so could sneak into the placings.

10 MIXCHIEVOUS – Totally unexposed for the Venetia Williams stable who won the race last year with a similar sort. Had had some quiet runs to gain a modest opening mark of 115 for handicaps and didn’t run badly when 5th of 10 on handicap debut at Huntington a few weeks ago in a hot looking Class 3 race (1m 7f, Good to Soft). Dropped 2lb for that effort and 3 further pounds are dropped thanks to Charlie Deutch’s claim and with the stable starting to hit form, he is a very interesting runner in the race.

11 NACHI FALLS – Still 6lb above his last winning mark and has been beaten a total of 56 lengths since that last victory at Market Rasen (2m, Good), although those were two hot races. Probably flattered in a steadily run race at Cheltenham on his latest start and probably needs the handicapper to relent before he returns to winning ways.

12 TIMOTEO – Was 26 lengths behind Cliffs Of Dover at Doncaster in a Grade 2 on British debut a few weeks ago, and is in much calmer waters today on the back of that effort (2m, Good). Should do better now in Class 3 company and has to be considered a big danger with his true potential still very much unknown.