7.20pm Stratford Tips & Betting Preview 15/04/2017

A field of seven go to post as the card starts to come to a close at Stratford on Saturday evening, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Our original tip Blackwood Rover is now a Non Runner so this looks an even better chance for ELKSTONE to get off the mark. The drop back in trip and faster ground should based on his second at Leciester in February. Jockey Robert Dunne is in good form with a 27% strike rate in the last two weeks and he has a great chance of notching up his first win.

1 ELKSTONE – Not the most consistent of horses but he ran well to finish second at Leciester in February (1m 7f, Heavy). He failed to back that up when solidly beaten at Leicester in a three runner race where he was sent off 7/4 favourite, but he was far too keen that day and probably didn’t stay the trip, so the drop back to 2 miles is a positive. Better ground will suit also and he has a great chance of getting off the mark today.

2 TIME AND AGAIN – Lots of letters next to his name don’t make for impressive reading but he returned to  form on his latest start at Chepstow when narrowly denied in second, running on strongly late on (2m, Soft). Although perhaps he is unreliable and is another whose 0-15 under rules, that was by far his best effort over fences and a 4lb rise is unlikely to stop further progress as he’s still underneath his hurdling mark. Better ground will see him in his element and he’ll go very close if in the same form again under 3lb claimer Alan Johns.

3 SHINTORI – No wins from thirteen starts under rules but he has shown signs of promise over fences, finishing a good third at Chepstow in March (2m, Soft), three lengths down on Time And Again. He is now 3lb better off with that rival and perhaps can push him hard again under Conor O’Farrell with better ground likely to see him in a better light. He’s not the strongest of finishers though and is vulnerable to a closer at the finish, so perhaps turning the form around will not be an easy task.

4 DEISE VU – Point to point winner whose showed some good form over fences without managing to poke his head in front, finishing third at Chepstow in February (2m, Soft), running well out in front before a blunder five out rocked him. He again finished third at Taunton (2m, Good) but he was well beaten on that occasion, failing to back up the promise of that latest run. Likely place contender under Trevor Whelan, looking booked for another supporting role.

5 ACCESSALLAREAS – Twelve year old for Sarah-Jayne Davis who has five chasing wins under his belt, with this latest win coming here in July with a comfortable success (2m 3f, Good). He is still 10lb above that mark and although he performed well off today’s mark at Hereford back in October, he failed to back in up when well beaten a week later at Huntingdon. Entitled to go close with conditions to suit and Sam Twiston-Daives taking the ride, but may just need the handicapper to be kinder despite dropping in class.

6 GOONJIM – Lightly raced six year old who has been performing well over fences, winning well on chasing debut at Plumpton in March when forging clear late on (2m 3f, Good to Soft). Raised 5lb, he found nothing off the bridle over further here in March and he got going far too late when second at Plumpton two days later. Given a small break, he may well do better yet for Alexandra Dunn and perhaps is the one with the most potential in the field. Likely to go close with conditions to suit, though perhaps he will need further to show his best.

7 BLACKWOOD ROVER – Placed on seven of his chasing starts and he has been far from disgraced in two efforts over fences this season, last seen finishing third at Southwell three weeks ago (1m 7f, Good). Based on his previous chasing runs in 2015 he should be capable of much better and he’s now 12lb below a good second at Huntingdon back in October. Leighton Aspell takes the ride and he is too well treated to ignore on this occasion. NR.