8.10pm Bath Tips & Betting Preview 04/08/2017

More than £11,000 on offer to the winner of this mile handicap to round our Bath’s Friday night card. Read on for our runner by runner preview and expert tip for our myracing,com sponsored contest.

IN SUMMARY: Madeleine Bond will be popular in her bid for a hat-trick. She steps up in class, but she is progressive and any rain will help her chances. Stosur is a consistent type, she rarely runs a bad race, but on the flip side of the coin, she is a rare winner but she should make the frame. In hindsight, STELLAR SURPRISE had a really tough task last time out when beaten by Sir Michael Stoute’s Mittens. She flattened out a little close home there but if a first time tongue strap has the desired effect, then she is very much the one to beat.

1 STOSUR – Not the easiest mare to win with, just 2/28 on turf and 5/53 overall. She has been second or third on six of her seven starts in 2017 so she lacks nothing for consistency, she simply struggles to get her head in front. She is hugely adaptable with regards to ground, twice a winner here in the past. Capable of winning from this mark but past evidence suggests she is more of a place player.

2 VENTURA BLUES – Scored twice as a juvenile, including on soft ground so any rain won’t be an issue for her. She was sent to The Curragh two runs back, running as well as could be expected in a far deeper race than this one. A drop down in trip in first time cheekpieces didn’t help last time out so she is stepped up in trip instead. Each way squeak if her stamina holds out.

3 STELLAR SURPRISE – Tough task trying to get subsequent Listed 5th Mittens (beaten a length and a half) a pound at Newmarket last time. Not for the first time, her effort off the bridle looked a little lacking. She has a tongue strap fitted for the first time now, if that is what has been ailing her, she has the form to get her head in front here, dropped back in class.

4 HEARTSTONE – Finally broke her duck at the nineteenth attempt last time. She caused a 20/1 shock that day in a lower class. That may have boosted her confidence but it’s hard to see her beating a better and less exposed field from a two pound higher mark.

5 MADELEINE BOND – Typically progressive Henry Candy filly, she has won her last two starts over seven furlongs. She was given a canny ride by Georgia Cox on the latter occasion, on ground that in all likelihood was quick enough for her, so connections will be hoping for plenty of rain. This step up in trip is likely to suit her with a three pound rise for that Newbury win is not harsh. Steps up in class but she looks the biggest danger to the selection given her profile as long as the ground is soft enough.

6 PATTIE – Won at this level from five pounds lower at Pontefract in June. She has been highly tried either side, including at Listed level. She was a little over nine lengths behind Mittens last time out when receiving eight pounds, that suggests she has an uphill struggle to compete with our selection at the weights.

7 LENOIRE – Showed little in three maiden starts for John Gosden, not improving on her handicap debut for this yard last time. The yard are badly struggling for form at the moment and there are likely to be easier assignments than this that will come her way later in the season.

8 MISS M – Made her handicap debut on turf last time having qualified with three runs on the all weather. Being by Mastercraftsman she will enjoy a bit of rain getting into the ground. The William Muir yard are another who are desperate for a winner, she looks an unlikely victor at this level, but she smacks of one who will pick up races on softer ground this autumn.