7.30pm Yarmouth Tips & Betting Preview 17/08/2017

A field of 10 go to post in this Class 5 handicap raced over 6f. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: If Musical Comedy can find just a fraction of the ability he showed as a juvenile he would hold a massive chance in this now dropping in grade again. However, he’s taken on with the well-weighted PLUCKY DIP. John Ryan’s runner has been overlooked by the market at a big price and he’s a full 7lbs below his last winning mark now dropping in grade. He could take all the beating in this.

1 MUSICAL COMEDY – Drops in grade following a good effort in a Class 4 handicap at Windsor last time out. He’s only been raised a pound for that run which looks fair and he has a chance in this grade today. His last success came in a Listed event at Newbury back in May 2014 and whilst he has regressed a fair way since then, he really shouldn’t be far away in this grade.

2 PICTURE DEALER – Dropped a pound following a modest effort in this grade last time out. He should be capable of winning a race of this nature having won a C&D handicap back in May but this looks slightly stronger and he may bump into a few better sorts again today. The yard are profitable here and are operating at a 12% strike rate at Yarmouth.

3 MULZIM – Lightly-raced 3yo who has a useful allowance in this. He won a Wolverhampton handicap back in April and hasn’t been that far away in two fairly decent races for this level since. He’s dropped in trip today which is a slight concern and he needs to prove he’s as effective on turf but he’s bred to be better than this and should run with credit.

4 IN THE SPOTLIGHT – Tried in cheekpieces for the first time today having been comfortably held on his last two starts. He’s struggled off this mark since winning a C&D handicap in these conditions back in June and he will need to do more to come out on top today. Ted Durcan replaces a 7lb claimer so he’s effectively up in the weights again and others make more appeal.

5 BIG LACHIE – Makes just his third start for this yard and his second following a gelding operation. He has winning form over 5 and 6 furlongs and he’s back down to his last winning mark following a 3 1/2 length defeat last time out. The booking of Martin Lane looks positive and he could be set for a big run in this. Market support would be significant.

6 PLUCKY DIP – The handicapper has finally begun to drop John Ryan’s runner in the weights and whilst he was well-beaten last time out, that came in a much stronger race than this. The drop in grade to Class 5 company could be significant off 7lbs lower than his last winning mark and that makes him of serious interest today. Conditions should suit and there are plenty of positives about him.

7 CAT SILVER – Makes his first start for Charlie Wallis today having been sold following a Windsor success last month. He’s been raised 3lbs for a Class 6 success, coming out on top by a head in first-time cheekpieces and they’re left on again today. George Wood negates his 3lb rise and he should go well if he’s ready first-time out for this stable.

8 MIRACLE GARDEN – Has begun to slip down the weights having failed to win All-Weather handicaps over the winter. He’s rated inferior on the turf, without a placed effort in seven starts on the surface and he’s 3lbs lower than last time out on the grass. He was placed off an 11lb higher mark on the All-Weather last time out so he could be dangerous if finding improvement on turf from somewhere.

9 FEVER FEW – Hasn’t shown much form at all in this grade recently and she finished last of nine over 7 furlongs here last time out. She’s without a win since August 2015 and she’s become generally disappointing since sliding through the weights. She’s down another 3lbs today but even that may not be enough to spark a revival in her form.

10 COMMANCHE – Never featured last time out over 7 furlongs against a well-handicapped sort. He’s 2lbs lower than that mark today and Silvestre De Sousa keeps the partnership intact which could be significant now dropped back to the more favourable 6 furlong trip. Market support would be significant.