4.25pm Leicester Tips & Betting Preview 14/07/2016

A low quality Class 6 event covered by our race preview but we like a last time out winner for our betting tip today.

In Summary: An extremely weak contest and SAINT THOMAS looks the only real in form horse in a field full of inconsistent types dropping in the weights. He showed plenty of heart to win last time out and only raised 3lb, and he’s got previous solid form round this course including a 2nd in this race two years ago. It’s a tough question who could fill the places behind him but both Stoneboat Bill and Percys Princess could potentially run well, but both are too short in the market to consider backing.

1 Stoneboat Bill – Only career win came off 8lb lower than today’s mark but that was a wide margin and has been running well lately. Sent off favourite last time out on Soft with first time blinkers, clearly in good form and yard won this last year plus promising 7lb claimer booked but short in the market and risky for win purposes.

2 Percys Princess – Likely to be up near the pace and consistently campaigned at this sort of trip but no wins in 9 flat starts and just 1 in 21 on the All Weather (that back in December 2014 off this same mark). Has slowly dropped down the weights and sent off favourite on Soft last time out (best turf runs have been on that surface) and plenty to prove again today if she’s going to win.

3 Flying Power – Veteran 8 year old who was once rated 90 and competing in Class 2 handicaps but beaten big distances on his last 3 starts (31 and 37 lengths respectively). In with a chance if first time visor makes a difference but first time blinkers (worn July 2011) had little effect and hasn’t worn equipment since October 2011 which is worrying.

4 County Wexford – Another going down the weights – rated 66 after a 3rd on the All Weather at Dundalk last March but now running off 59 here. Showed something of a return to form on the All Weather in May over 13.5f and drop back in trip may help but well beaten on two starts before that and yet to finish in the top 3 on turf (best placing 5th of 8 when going off far too fast and being easily hauled back but likely flattered by distance beaten that day)

5 Saint Thomas – Our betting tip for this race and the only last time out winner in the race when beating First Sargeant by a nose and showing good heart to battle on that day. Had been a runner up on Good off a mark of 53 (3lb higher) on his penultimate start too and has finished 2nd at this track twice despite only competing here in better quality races off higher marks. Looks in good form and while there is potentially a danger in a horse bouncing back to form he’s a good price and one of few in-form runners so must be respected.

6 Theydon Bois – Lightly raced 4 year old who won at 50/1 at Newmarket in May 2015 – her only win in 12 starts. Well beaten on all starts since and has been dropped 10lb in the weights but horse which beat her 10 lengths last time out could only finish 3rd off a 3lb higher mark and extremely inconsistent.

7 Grand Proposal – Has plummeted in the weights since finishing 2nd in a Class 2 Handicap off 70 back in August 2014. Recent form reads poorly, well beaten over shorter trips on the All Weather (and turf before that) and first time out hood made little difference last time out when stepped up in trip. Further step up in trip and first time hood tried today but even off a mark of 46 is difficult to back.

8 Sakhra – Likely outsider of the field, beaten 21 lengths at Bath just 8 days ago and beaten 33 lengths on his June start. Hasn’t shown any real form since 4th at Wolves over a marathon 2 mile trip in October 2015 and is just 1lb lower here. Still a maiden after 31 starts on the turf and All Weather and deserves to be a big price.