7.25pm Brighton Tips & Betting Preview 25/04/2017

A competitive looking Class 6 handicap over a mile with a nice mix of exposed course favourites and a couple of unexposed potential improvers. Read on for our experts runner by runner guide and free tip.

IN SUMMARY: Lots of winning course form from the old timers but a couple have shown better form with a little more cut in the ground than they are likely to get here. Magic Moments is the best long term prospect in the field but has looked green under pressure so the track is a bit of a question mark while Lutine Charlie could sneak a place at a decent price under conditions that he has enjoyed in the past. The vote though goes to another course winner in STORMBOUND. Paul Cole’s charge won in April last season off the same mark over C&D on good to firm ground, the ground is ideal for him again and he arrives on the back of a solid effort last time out.

1 QORTAAJ – David Loughnane’s charge is a 17 race maiden but he hit the frame three times in 2016, including over this trip at Wolverhampton and on good to firm ground at Leicester. His form so far this year has been nowhere close to that level on the all weather or in one run over hurdles so despite being well weighted on his previous placed form, he has more than enough to prove at present.

2 BLOODSWEATANDTEARS – A four time winner over this quirky course and distance means he is likely to be popular with punters for the in form yard of William Knight. 3 of those wins came off a lower mark than he runs off here but even at the age of 9, he has been running consistently well, including a pair of all weather 3rds the last twice. The doubt however is the ground, a son of Barathea, he prefers a bit of cut so despite being respected on course form, is opposed with underfoot conditions this quick.

3 STORMBOUND – Won over C&D last April on good to firm ground from this same mark of 61. His only other turf win came at Bath on firm ground so the likely conditions will hold no fears for Paul Cole’s eight year old. His win last year was in a Class 5 contest, as was his only other run at the track when 3rd in 2015. He shaped well at Wolverhampton when last seen and back here should see him in a better light, he looks the one to beat in this field.

4 MAGIC MOMENTS – Unexposed filly will be just the 7th runner at the track in the last 5 years for Alan King as she makes her turf debut. She has looked green under pressure on occasions but produced a much stronger display last time out when runner up at Wolverhampton. On that bare form and given that there should be plenty more to come after just 5 races, she should hold a strong chance but there is a niggling doubt about making her turf debut on such a quirky track on quick ground.

5 LIVE DANGEROUSLY – Boasts a pair of C&D wins on his C.V as well as victories at other switchback tracks in Goodwood and Epsom. He shows the majority of his best form on tracks with a quirky nature, finding himself now off a mark 11 pounds lower than his most recent winning mark. That was back in 2015 with a losing run mounting up since. His peak form has been on ground with a little more cut than he is likely to get here but given the track and handicap mark, he still warrants respect.

6 THE SPECIAL ONE – Has shown very little in 10 career starts bar a 3rd at Wolverhampton two runs back. Supported into favouritism last time on the back of that placed run, his finishing effort was noticeably tame so it is interesting that connections reach for a tongue strap. Has twice run at Brighton so at least has experience of the track but on both occasions, he looked a little ill at ease on the descent into the straight, before finding his stride a little more on the hill to the line so he has something to prove over the suitability of the South coast venue.

7 JONNIE SKULL – Likely to be the pace angle into the race, having his first run since August. A course winner at 7f back in 2011, this trip of a mile on good to firm ground have always suited him well. He is 11 now however and although he is well handicapped on his old form, he looked regressive when last seen and is difficult to support.

8 KRISTOFF – 18 race maiden has shown next to nothing on his 4 runs so far on turf. Boasts 5 placings on the all weather, arguably a little unlucky not to have broken his duck yet, headed close home on more than one occasion. The huge doubt is that this is a turf race and until he proves that he can run within 20 pounds of his all weather form on grass, he simply cannot be supported.

9 LUTINE CHARLIE – Old timer runs here off a basement mark but has run with credit a number of times on the all weather over the winter. A dual C&D winner, including once on firm ground, he will find conditions to his liking. John Egan is an interesting booking given that he has a 21% strike rate for a level stakes profit of +£37 at the track in the last 5 years and he may just provide a little each way value in the contest.