4.40pm Wetherby Tips & Betting Preview 06/06/2017

This is a Class 4 handicap over seven furlongs, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Hugo Palmer’s HYDROXIDE has clearly had his issues but he remains on a fair mark and he can finally break his maiden following a gelding operation. Right Action should be competitive again off just a 3lb higher mark following a success last time out whilst any money for Merlin would be of interest now making his handicap debut.

1 HYDROXIDE – Evidently has ability with five placed efforts to his name from five career starts but he’s been a little frustrating in that period. He’s been gelded following a less than impressive seasonal return and he should improve for that combined with the step back up in trip. This mark shouldn’t be far away from what he can win off and he’s worth another chance today now back up in trip.

2 GOLDEN APOLLO – Ran a fine race on his seasonal reappearance at York last month to finish fourth of fourteen, beaten 4 1/4 lengths by a smart sort. He will come on for that run and this ground looks ideal for him and there’s every chance he will improve again and be involved here off the same mark of 81. The yard has a less than impressive 7% strike rate in the past fortnight which does temper enthusiasm slightly.

3 SWORD EXCEED – Sluiced home on his first start for Ivan Furtado on handicap debut and he was raised 9lbs which seems to have halted his progression. He was well-beaten in a tougher race than this last time out and he’s been nudged down a pound so he’s on a more workable mark although he needs to take another step forward to come out on top here. Oisin Murphy is replaced by David Nolan today.

4 MERLIN – Won a Nottingham maiden over 6 furlongs last month when well-supported and he enters handicap company for the first time today off a fair mark. He steps up in trip which shouldn’t be a problem given he’s by Oasis Dream and he’s run fine over a mile previously and he should come on again for just his third run of this campaign. The yard have a 15% strike rate in the past fortnight and a decent run is expected.

5 SUMNER BEACH – Steps up in trip today following a much-improved run at Leicester last time out. He finished fourth of ten, beaten 3 1/4 lengths in a slightly stronger race than this and the tongue tie is left on again today so there’s every chance he can improve again with a 2lb drop in the weights. The stable has been out of form of late with just one winner from their last 26 runners which is off-putting.

6 RED GUNNER – Second run for David O’Meara today and he should improve now stepped back up in trip off a recent run. He won a Wolverhampton maiden last November over 7 furlongs and he’s shown a modest amount of form in his career to date. The cheekpieces are left off again today and he has something to find with a few of his rivals in this for a yard in average form of late.

7 MAN OF VERVE – Another to step up in trip today following a heavy defeat last time out. That was a disappointing run having won a Catterick maiden last October and he is only 1lb lower in the handicap which shouldn’t have much impact given he was disqualified for weighing in light last time out. Others make far more appeal in this for a yard with a poor 7% strike rate in the past fortnight.

8 RIGHT ACTION – Well-supported to win a Class 5 handicap last time out and he’s been bumped up 3lbs for that success. He could still be well-treated given he’s unexposed at 7 furlongs and he looked like a sort that would continue to improve although he did become difficult to win with over the winter and will need things to drop right for him today. One to consider, especially if there was strong market support.

9 GRINTY – Beat Wonder Of Dubai by a length in a weak maiden at the beginning of last month and that was a decent effort off a seasonal break. Connections will be hopeful he steps forward on that now re-entered into handicap company although he was well-beaten off just a pound higher than this in a similar contest last October. Looks to be on a reasonable mark and tricky to rule out.

10 HALAWAIN – Likely to improve following a third placed effort early last month following a gelding operation. He’s been dropped a pound for that effort which looks fair although he doesn’t look particularly well-treated at the weights and others look more likely to improve in this. This is his first attempt over 7 furlongs today and he may be best watched in this.

11 HAJJAM – Second runner in this for David O’Meara and he makes his stable debut today. He was beaten 3 3/4 lengths in a Class 4 handicap last month and that was slightly disappointing having broken his maiden on his first run of his 3yo campaign and he’s only 2lbs lower here. Hard to assess in this and may be best watched off what looks a stiff enough mark.

12 DAN TROOP – Improved for the step up in trip last time out where he won a Class 5 maiden by a comfortable 1 3/4 lengths. He should go on to better things over this trip and possibly slightly further and a mark of 73 should definitely be workable for this son of Lawman. Paul Hanagan gets on board for the first time today and the signs are pointing to a big run from him in this.