3.45pm Southwell Tips & Betting Preview 26/10/2017

3.45pm Southwell tips for Thursday’s Class 4 race. An intriguing handicap hurdle over two miles with plenty of pace on given the plethora of front runners in opposition. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: STEPOVER is 2/3 over this course and distance, with a strong pace suiting her well. There are any number in here who like to go from the front so with a solid clip on up front, she can pounce late once more. Manny Owens and Chilly Miss are capable of better with first time cheekpieces being reached for by connections, both holding solid each way chances. Trapper Peak is only for the brave but he is undoubtedly thrown in if he can come up with his best form.

1 BACK TO BALLOO – Wide margin wins in May and June, but efforts around those are poor. Only 4/44 overall so lacks the scope for any further progression, tough to support with any confidence.

2 UNDEFINED BEAUTY – Sent off the even money favourite when just out battled on her debut for this yard. She has strong enough form in Ireland to think that the two extra pounds she has now won’t stop her, but her finishing effort left a little to be desired.

3 CHILLY MISS – Looked in-between trips on her two runs here this season, running on over this trip but not staying further. She sports first time cheekpieces now dropped back to the minimum, if they work she boasts a solid each way chance much more.

4 FREE BOUNTY – Stays well on the flat but hasn’t shown much in three runs over hurdles. This is probably an insufficient test of stamina for him over obstacles but it will give an idea of how fair his opening handicap mark is.

5 MORTENS LEAM – Shown a consistent level of form from this mark since going handicapping, placed the last thrice. Needs more to get his head in front on the back of five months off, but conditions suit and may find himself placed once more.

6 MANNY OWENS – Didn’t get home over further last time, a surprise given he stays well on the flat. Connections reach for first time cheekpieces in a bid to sharpen his ideas, with this looking a workable mark if they do help him.

7 STEPOVER – Twice a winner in three starts over course and distance, she has conditions to suit once more. A hold up horse, she needs a strong pace to chase and with a number in here who like to push things along, this should be run to suit her perfectly.

8 WOT A SHOT – Just two pounds higher than when winning at Perth in July. A sharp two miles on good ground suits but isn’t the most consistent and won’t find it easy to dominate this field from the front as he did when winning.

9 BOHERNAGORE – Conditions suit but is still four pounds higher than when beaten at Uttoxeter last month. Other front runners in here so easily opposed from this high in the handicap.

10 TRAPPER PEAK – Not the easiest to win with but is eighteen pounds lower than when taking out a Leicester seller eleven months ago. Comes with risks attached having shown little since but is undoubtedly well treated at present.

11 MARINERS MOON – One of a number who like to front run, something that won’t be easy in this field. Just 1/36 in his career, he is easy enough to pass over despite a glimmer of form at Uttoxeter in July.