4.20pm Leicester Tips & Betting Preview 13/08/2017

Despite the small numbers, this looks a field with a bit of quality in, well worth re-watching with the future in mine. Read on for our runner by runner preview and expert tip.

IN SUMMARY: ALGAM has run both times on a switchback track, experience which is going to stand him in good stead on this undulating course. His Glorious Goodwood effort can be upgraded as he was switched to the wrong side of the track, he holds leading claims now. Cuban Heel has also run twice and is arguably the one to beat on the form in the book. The yard are not in much form at the moment however and his slow starting style will have him on the back foot early once more. Comrade In Arms is a stunningly bred newcomer, but by War Front it’s unlikely soft ground will be to his liking and the majority of Sir Michael Stoute’s improve considerably for their debut experience.

1 ALGAM – Has shown plenty of promise in his two starts so far, running better than the bare sixth suggests at Glorious Goodwood. Hampered early on, he was switched towards the stands side, with all the action coming from those drawn low on the opposite flank. With a debut at Epsom, he will have no issues with the undulations at Leicester, looks the one to beat if handling the softer ground.

2 BLACKLOOKS – Half sibling to a pair of winners, his half sister throwing two winners herself. In general they act with a bit of cut in the ground though are better when the ground is quicker. Ivan Furtado has two winners from his first four juvenile runners this season, which is a massive step up on his 0/18 previously. Already gelded, he faces a pair of smart rivals who have experience in the book so will need to be above average to get his head in front.

3 COMRADE IN ARMS – A three quarter brother to four time Group 1 winner Peeping Fawn, he is very much the part on pedigree. Sir Michael Stoute tends to bring his horses along slowly so if his juveniles win first time out, they are generally very smart. By War Front the soft going is a concern so there is enough to suggest he is best watched with a view to further engagements.

4 CUBAN HEEL – Stepped up massively on his debut effort when runner up to a smart type at Ascot last time. He has missed the kick badly on both starts, putting himself immediately on the back foot. If learning further from that second contest, he is the one to beat on form but the Clive Cox yard have made a slow start to August, with a number of below par performances so at a short price is worth taking on.

5 DARK SPEC – Didn’t get the clearest of runs on debut when behind Verstappen. His dam won the 1000 Guineas on soft ground so this slower surface can see him in a better light but despite the Pam Sly yard being in sound heart at present, they are not a yard normally associated with juvenile winners.

6 THE FETTLER – Shown little in a pair of starts so far, both at this trip on soft ground. Needs this run for a mark so looks more one for small nurseries later on in the season, tough task today.

7 VERSTAPEN – Showed a little bit of promise on his debut at Yarmouth, keeping on at one pace in the last quarter mile. By a sprinting sire, but with a damline full of stamina, he looks more of a prospect for the future but will have no issues with the ground if it stays genuinely soft.