5.25pm Wetherby Tips & Betting Preview 18/10/2017

5.25pm Wetherby tips for Wednesday’s Class 3 race. Saving the best for last at Wetherby as the biggest field of the day go to post for this 2m handicap that rounds off the seven-race card. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: Ballyalton is a classy horse at his best and any money coming for him on his return from 558 days off the track should be taken seriously. The solid pick though is SAKHEE’S CITY who went close at Market Rasen in February off 4lbs higher, only a length behind Master Of Finance. He subsequently didn’t suit conditions at Newcastle and he goes well fresh, so after a summer break he should be a tough nut to crack. Another to watch out for is Seamour who is unbeaten in two runs over hurdles from 2014 and he’s since developed into a classy sort on the flat, so shouldn’t be far away on handicap debut.

1 BALLYALTON – Smart hurdler and chaser for Ian Williams who won the Close Brothers Novices’ Chase at the Festival in 2016, not seen since. Despite a 558 day break, he’s well handicapped on the best of his form and shouldn’t be far away here. Watch the market very carefully as money could be an omen.

2 UTILITY – Arrives here on a hat-trick for Jonjo O’Neill, running out an easy winner at Worcester in July. He’s been given time to rest up, but a 13lb rise makes this very tough. Each way claims, but will need another sharp jolt of progress up in grade.

3 KEEP IN LINE – Lost his way on his final two starts of last season, beaten out of sight at Cheltenham in January before falling at the third from home in the Silver Plate at Kempton. Still remains lightly raced over hurdles and he goes well fresh, so he isn’t going to be far away.

4 INTENSE TANGO – Hasn’t been seen very often over hurdles, well beaten in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April. Not handicapped out of things at his best, but he’s been well below form on the flat and couldn’t be put forward here.

5 SEAMOUR – Talented stayer on the flat who is unbeaten in two runs over hurdles, although he’s not been seen in this discipline since December 2014. Looks on a potentially soft mark judging by his hurdling form and if well backed, he’s going to be dangerous to discount.

6 TOP VILLE BEN – Became frustrating over hurdles for Nicky Henderson, beaten at very short odds on his final three runs for the yard. He ran a great race on the flat on debut for Philip Kirby, however, and isn’t badly treated on handicap debut. Each way claims, but you couldn’t trust him in a battle.

7 MASTER OR IRONY – Fair form on the flat for John Quinn, winning two Novices’ Hurdles for the yard also. Both those wins came over further though and he probably needs further than this to be shown to best effect.

8 CORNBOROUGH – Three wins from ten hurdling runs, finishing fourth off 2lbs higher at Aintree in June. He’s run well on the flat since, but this is a tough race and others look far better handicapped at present.

9 SAKHEE’S CITY – Not beaten far at Market Rasen in February and the heavy ground didn’t suit at Newcastle when last seen in March. He was a close second over course and distance on his return last season and, with conditions perfect, he can take a second career victory.

10 TYRELL – Only run twice over hurdles, winning a weak looking Juvenile Hurdle at Warwick in December. Makes his handicap debut today on the back of a very poor run on the flat at Pontefract and it’s not hard to look elsewhere.

11 MASTER OF FINANCE – Hasn’t proved progressive over hurdles but has been running to a fair standard, however his fourth at Kelso was nothing special. He’s only 1lb lower here and he looks vulnerable in a useful race for the time of year.

12 MINELLA FIVEO – Fell on chasing debut at Market Rasen in February before pulling up at Carlisle in February with no excuses. He now returns from a 240 day absence with plenty to prove and it’s easy to look elsewhere.

13 IDDER – Won two starts ago at Carlisle in a three runner handicap and perhaps excuses can be made for his below par run at Cartmel when last seen in July. He’ll be happier back down in distance, but he’s vulnerable to some simply better horses here.