7.50pm Stratford Tips & Betting Preview 15/04/2017

The curtain comes down on Saturday racing as the card at Stratford reaches its final race, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Shantou Tiger and Ballyheigue Bay will make this a stern stamina test so this wont be for the faint hearted, so perhaps this can go to the consistent BENDOMINGO now he’s back up in trip and has conditions to suit. Prior to his disappointing effort down in trip at Newbury, he’d put up a string of useful efforts for Nigel Twiston-Davies including a close forth at Doncaster off today’s mark. Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride and better can be expected from this six year old, who can notch up his first win.

1 SHANTOU TIGER – Four time winner over timber who has been running well in the main this season, finishing second on three occasions including at Musselburgh (2m 7f, Good) on his latest start when attempting to make all. He was poor on his latest start at Musselburgh when not seemingly travelling the way he can do and he does have something to prove on the back of that effort. Perhaps more can be expected of this mark and he’ll give it a good go from the front under Donald McCain, so has to be respected.

2 POTTERS APPROACH – Six year old for Warren Greatrex who showed promise on his first hurdling run at Plumpton in January, finishing a good third behind the useful No Comment. The last twice he’s been let down by his hurdling and does have that to prove at present, but the step up in trip on handicap debut does make him interesting under Gavin Sheehan. Place claims at the very least but is avoided on this occasion until his jumping improves.

3 ULTIMATE HORSEMAN – Ten race maiden over timber for Tim Vaughan and although he did go close on a few occasions when with Gordon Elliott in late 2015, he’s been soundly beaten on all three starts for his current yard. He posted his best effort yet when forth over slightly shorter here in March, losing touch soon after two out after finding little for pressure. Up in trip for this which could yield better results but he’s perhaps best watched again despite going 3lb down in the handicap.

4 BALLYHEIGUE BAY – Made all in brave fashion at Plumpton in March but a 7lb rise was enough to find him out when well beaten at Newbury three weeks ago. He remains on the same mark despite that run and connections reach for headgear in a bit to extract more from the ten year old. More is needed and he wont be getting a soft lead in this, so perhaps he’s best left alone on this occasion for Chris Gordon.

5 BENDOMINGO – Eleven race maiden over hurdles for Nigel Twiston-Davies, though he does have some good efforts posted and he’s entitled to get involved with conditions to suit. He was far from disgraced off this mark when fourth at Doncaster in January and he may well do better yet for a yard in good form at present. Place claims at the very least as he’s very consistent and is one to pay close attention to under Sam Twiston-Davies.

6 RENDL BEACH – Ten year old who seems to be losing his way as he enters the veteran stage of his career, well beaten on his last two starts at both Chepstow and Ffos Las. Granted, his latest run was his seasonal reappearance and he may have needed it but he seems to be on the downgrade and others have far more interesting claims. He’d probably prefer softer ground and despite being on a lowly mark at present, others make more appeal.

7 MONSIEUR ARKADIN – Point to point winner who won a fairly modest bumper at Huntingdon in May and has posted some decent efforts in novice hurdles for Tim Vaughan. On handicap debut he travelled well into the race at Catterick but found little when asked for his effort, weakening very tamely after the final flight. The drop back in trip on better ground seems likely to suit and he remains capable of better over these obstacles, so isn’t one to discount under 3l claimer Alan Johns. Stables first string.