7.40pm Chepstow Tips & Betting Preview 04/07/2017

Nine handicappers go to post for the fourth race of the day at Chepstow on Tuesday evening, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Winning her third race over course and distance, FANTASY QUEEN looked like value for money when comfortably dispatching Here’s Two on her latest start and can go in again under the in form three pound claimer Edward Greatrex. She was only raised three pounds for that success (with Greatrex negating it today) and it is hard to see her not going in again with conditions to suit and Eve Johnson Houghton’s team still in good form. The likely main danger will be Procurator, but he remains risky as he blew out at Doncaster when last seen.

1 OUTBACK BLUE – Two wins from 23 so he is hardly a winning machine, however he ran well in a higher grade on his latest start, finishing fourth at Chester. He is down three pounds in the handicap which helps, but more is needed under Stevie Donohoe off top weight. Facing some progressive sorts and may just be fighting for places only on this occasion for David Evans.

2 PROCURATOR – Ran a cracking race on his penultimate start at Ascot in May when an unfancied 25/1 shot, but he returned to his modest form when finishing ninth at Doncaster 16 days ago. Back on to his last winning mark for Richard Hannon and conditions are to suit, but it is hard to know what you will be getting as he is very inconsistent. Impossible to rule out but others are certainly less risky.

3 HERE’S TWO – Running consistently well the last three times for Ron Hodges, finishing a close third at Kempton on her penultimate start. She was behind Fantasy Queen on her latest start, beaten around two lengths and she is down a pound in the handicap. Likely to struggle to reverse terms with that rival – despite revised terms – so she can only be considered a place contender with conditions to suit.

4 VIKING HOARD – Made an encouraging seasonal debut at Salisbury on his penultimate start when fourth and he never really stood a chance on his latest start when promoted to Class 3 company at Sandown last month. He is two pounds lower now than his seasonal debut and he remains unexposed with only six runs under his belt. Tom Queally takes the ride for Harry Dunlop and he is another to consider in a competitive race at the top.

5 FANTASY QUEEN – Gained her third course and distance win when beating a field of fillies on her latest start, keeping on strongly to beat Here’s Two by around two lengths. She comfortably dispatched that rival and she is only three pounds higher, with the in form claimer Eddie Greatrex negating the penalty. Eve Johnson Houghton’s string remain in brilliant order and it is hard not to see her going in again.

6 SEE THE MASTER – Ran a career best on his second start when second at Salisbury and he was far from disgraced on his latest run when fourth at Windsor. He lost his place mid-race before coming home well late on to take that position. If he manages to maintain his pitch this time around he will have definite place claims if handling this very different surface. Adam Kirby takes the ride and he is not one to dismiss.

7 HAULANI – Two wins from nine runs for Philip Hide, but his form has gone off a cliff on the last three appearances, well beaten on all three occasions and only beating one rival home. Now down to a mark of 73 – his last winning mark – so he is more than capable at his best, although it is hard to know whether he has turned a corner with himself. Others make far more appeal, but market support would be interesting for him.

8 BOIS D’EBENE – Poor handicap debut at Lingfield when only tenth of 13 and she was only marginally better when ninth at Kempton on her latest start six days ago. The hood had some positive effect, but the extra furlong needs to make a dramatic difference and she can only be touted for place claims. Kieran Shoemark claims three which helps and Roger Charlton’s yard are also in form.

9 BAZWIND – Has finished midfield on a number of occasions recently for David Evans, running with credit without suggesting he is going to be winning any time soon for connections. A mark of 65 sees him two pounds above his last winning mark and he is likely to need that to come down further if he is to return to winning ways. John Egan takes the ride, but he is just likely to miss out on the placings once again until the handicapper relents.