4.20pm Wetherby Tips & Betting Preview 18/10/2017

4.20pm Wetherby tips for Wednesday’s Class 3 race. A field of seven go to post for this 3m Handicap Hurdle, with this contest looking incredible competitive. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: Just Milly went close on her seasonal debut behind a useful type and now with that run behind her, she’s going to be a danger. Preference though is for LOUGH SALT who won over course and distance back in November and he subsequently placed off 1lb higher on Boxing Day. He was sent to Ripon last month to have a run out on the flat and, now that he’s got that under his belt, he can take victory here for Richard Guest.

1 NO PLANNING – Ten-year-old who hasn’t been seen since finishing second at Uttoxeter in May over fences, only beaten by half a length. He returns to hurdling off 2lbs higher and he was well beaten on his seasonal debut last year. Likely to need this and will be back over fences shortly.

2 NAUTICAL NITWIT – Has run well the last twice for Philip Kirby, only beaten four lengths at Worcester last month and he’s on the same mark here. Still lightly raced and isn’t handicapped out of things off this mark, so is an each way contender with conditions fine.

3 SMOOTH STEPPER – Second runner for Sur Smith who won three starts ago at Newcastle before being set two tough tasks to close out the season (including Listed company). Can go well fresh and is capable off this mark back over hurdles, so is a key player under Danny Cook.

4 JUST MILLY – Lightly raced six-year-old for John Mackie who is yet to get her head in front in Handicap company, although she wasn’t far away at Uttoxeter last month on seasonal debut. She’s now only 1lb higher and will appreciate a return to this distance, so shouldn’t be far away.

5 MINSTREL ROYAL – Made his seasonal/stable debut at Stratford last month, finishing very poorly and almost slowing to a walk after the last. His stamina for the 3m distance is still a big question mark, so others do make more appeal.

6 GRAN MAESTRO – Finished a close fourth at Bangor on his latest hurdling start before finishing tailed off at Pontefract on the flat earlier this month. He’s only attempted this distance once, not finishing with any real zest, but this smaller field should mean the pace isn’t too fierce. Possible each way claims.

7 LOUGH SALT – Won over course and distance in November 2016 and he’s run well since, finishing a close third off 1lb higher here in December. He ran respectably on the flat and that run should have opened up the pipes which will see him tough to beat as he’s still unexposed.