5.40pm Wetherby Tips & Betting Preview 06/06/2017

Eleven runners will enter the starting stalls for the curtain closer on rating at Wetherby on Tuesday, see our betting tips and full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: With our original selection Saint Thomas now sadly a non runner, the consistent MAJOR ROWAN is the one most likely to take advantage, if taking another step forward from his pair of fourths the last twice.

1 MAJOR ROWAN – Clearly a better horse on the artificial surfaces with all four of his wins coming in that sphere, with thirteen blanks on the grass so far for John Davies. He has flattered to deceive on his last two runs for connections, travelling well but never able to conjure up a finishing effort and he has finished fourth on both occasions. He remains on the same mark and although more is needed at the same trip, he should go very close today.

2 WITH HINDSIGHT – Nine year old for Steve Gollings who is still running well despite nearing the veteran stage of his career, running well on his last two runs for connections. His latest run was at Yarmouth over today’s distance, keeping on strongly to finish a close third and he remains on the same mark for today’s run. The heavy rain at Chepstow throughout Monday and Tuesday will not be an issue as he can go with cut in the ground and he stays two miles, so his stamina cannot be questioned. Though he may find at least one too good, he has place claims under Adam McNamara who claims 3lb and it’s hard to see him outside the top three.

3 HALLINGHAM – Has only won twice from thirty-eight runs which is hardly a convincing strike rate but he has been running well of late at the 1m 4f trip, so he’s interesting upped in distance under the in form Danny Tudhope. He gave up the ghost late on at Bath on his latest start and the step up in trip should help eek out more from this in form candidate, as he stayed two miles over hurdles when tried in that discipline. A mark of 58 means is certainly not beyond him and back under professional handling, he may just notch up an over due win for Ken Cunningham-Brown.

4 YUL FINEGOLD – Has now dropped 20lb in the handicap since returning to the flat in November 2016 and despite the fact he has tumbled down the weights, he hasn’t looked likely to take advantage of it for Conor Dore. His latest start at Wolverhampton didn’t yield much more encouragement when he looked very one paced late on and a step up in trip coupled with a return to the turf doesn’t make his claims much more exciting. A supporting role is the best that can be expected of him.

5 SAINT THOMAS (Non Runner) – Now only a pound above his last winning mark, with that success coming back in July at Leicester over the 1m 4f trip where he pounced late on. He made a good return from a seven month absence when fifth at Wolverhampton in April and this step up in trip should help eek out further from him, as he does stay this far as proven by previous performances. With the benefit of that prior run he can take an eleventh career success under Ben Curtis with the return to turf another big plus to aide his cause.

6 DREAM SERENADE – Broke her maiden at Wolverhampton in February when storming through to win a two mile handicap and she has backed that up on her last three runs on the turf with three solid performances  for Michael Appleby. She was only headed late on at Yarmouth when last seen when ahead of With Hindsight and she is only up a pound for that effort, so another bold effort is expected under 7lb claimer Raymond Dawson. She perhaps wouldn’t want it too soft though based on previous performances, so a going check is advised in the morning.

7 ADHERENCE – Still a maiden after eighteen runs for Tony Coyle, showing very little on his last three runs to suggest he was working his way to changing that fact. He was well behind Major Rowan on his latest start at Redcar where he was sent off a 20/1 outsider, never better than the rear of the field. Much more is indeed off the same mark and it’s hard to see him playing a leading role in this despite the fact he has placed off a pound higher mark in the past, with those efforts firmly in the past.

8 ANEEDH – Looked to be regressing at a rate of knots last season for Slive Mulhall, with his form taking an alarming down turn after a creditable forth at Haydock in August. He’s now down to a career low mark of 54 which gives him a chance, but it looks unlikely he’ll be taking it and a 172 day break wont be easy to overcome despite the positive jockey booking of Graham Lee. Others make far more appeal and he’s likely best watched again.

9 STICKLEBACK – Thorough stayer who was last seen 555 days ago at Carlisle over hurdles over the 3m 1f distance, which is some absence to overcome at a trip that is likely to be too sharp for this eight year old. She is still a maiden on the level after thirteen runs and it’s hard to get excited about her chances with her best runs on the flat at the 2m 2f trip and beyond, so she’s likely best watched on this occasion for Micky Hammond.

10 CHAUVELIN – Won off three pounds lower in the summer at Beverley but he has been decidedly quiet on two runs so far this year for Nigel Tinkler, with his latest ninth at Redcar behind both Major Rowan and Adherence another poor effort. He remains on the same mark and although on the best of his form that gives him a fighting chance, he has an inexperienced rider on board and there are likely to be other days.

11 ARISTOCRACY – Six year old for Fergal O’Brien who reappeared from a year absence at Chepstow on his latest start to finish an encouraging sixth and he should strip much fitter for it. He’s currently on a mark of 52 which sees him 13lb below his last winning mark, though that did come in August 2014 so caution is advised in terms of taking that literally. He’s a likely place contender if building on that run and any rain would be no issue for him under Trevor Whelan.