An unexposed 4yo appears to be all the rage for Yarmouth’s feature race on Wednesday but our betting tips highlight a good value each-way alternative. Read our full race preview to get the lowdown.
IN SUMMARY: Heatstroke made eyecatching late headway from a long way off the pace to finish fourth after a very long absence at Sandown six weeks ago. He is sure to have entered plenty of notebooks after that and remains very unexposed but the bookies aren’t taking too many chances with an opening show of around 13/8 and there is some each-way value in WHAT YOU SAY. Karl Burke has a decent strike-rate with his occasional runners here and this filly was was denied a clear run when fourth over 1m at Haydock last month, will be suited by the extra furlong today and is fine on fast ground. Solo Hunter has the services of Frankie Dettori and is next on the list.
1 Bold Prediction – Three 1m Polytrack wins since December and comes here after good run in defeat on that surface at Chelmsford last month but probably has little margin for error off current mark and turf strike-rate of 1-28 is very poor for a horse of his ability.
2 Solo Hunter – No match for the winner when third off today’s mark at Sandown (1m2f, good) last month and remains on a career-high mark but his fourth in the Spring Mile at Doncaster (1m, soft) in April was a very good effort and he should be fine on today’s ground; Frankie Dettori booked; probably won’t be far away.
3 Haalan – Returns to handicap company after two unsuccessful runs at Listed level; didn’t appear to have anything left in the tank when making all at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) in April and is 2lb higher now but her other win was gained here and she might still have some improvement to come.
4 Heatstroke – Improved upon inauspicious 2yo debut when ready winner of Kempton maiden (1m, AW) in October 2014; not seen again until May this year but came from a long way off the pace to finish fourth in a competitive Sandown handicap (1m, good to firm) and could easily have a lot more to offer now he has that outing under his belt.
5 Emerald – Won twice over 1m last year but seems to have lost some zip this season and got going too late when close fifth at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) two starts ago; might be revved up by first-time blinkers here but ran poorly on Polytrack last time and has quite a bit to prove now.
6 Laurence – Now back on the same mark as when gaining a convincing win at Beverley (1m2f, good) last summer but weakened out of contention on final two starts last season and has suffered the same fate on both runs this year; has some questions to answer.
7 Heisman – Sent off favourite for last month’s seasonal/stable debut but was never a factor; on workable mark if able to replicate the best of his form for Olly Stevens last year, though, and it will be interesting to see whether cash arrives again; now sports cheekpieces.
8 What You Say – Yet to add to her 2yo maiden win in 2014 but hasn’t had much racing since then and met traffic when fourth at Haydock (1m, good to firm) last month; not obviously well handicapped but ought to be suited by the extra furlong here and can make her presence felt.
9 Artful Prince – Held on well to win over this trip at Carlisle (good ground) last month and, on last season’s evidence, today’s 4lb higher mark shouldn’t be beyond him; seemingly not as good as he once was, though, and needs to bounce back from a disappointing performance back at Carlisle a fortnight ago.
myracing Forecast Prices: 13/8 Heatstroke, 11/2 Solo Hunter, 7/1 Heisman, 8/1 Bold Prediction, Haalan, Laurence, What You Say, 12/1 Emerald, 16/`1 Artful Prince