2.15pm Bath Tips & Preview – myracing Meeting 01/05/2017

IN SUMMARY: A competitive 16-runner handicap to kick off Monday’s Bath card where recent form is likely to prove the key. Some likely contenders have a few question marks hanging over them so with that in mind we side with HURRICANE ALERT. After several good efforts on the all weather, he produced an improved performance on the turf at Yarmouth last time, winning in good style. That was on fast ground, and as is usually the case at Bath, he will get similar conditions today. Of the remainder, Captain Ryan can go well at a course he enjoys on top of conditions that he will handle better than most.

1 Lucky Clover – The mare is still 2lb above her last winning mark and she makes her seasonal debut over the extended 5 furlongs, a trip that has stretched her in the past. She does boast a course win back in May of last year however and will appreciate that fast conditions but others look better treated at the weights.

2 Captain Ryan – A five time course winner (3 of them wins coming on the forecast Firm ground) and generally a consistent performer at this level. He ran OK when last seen on the track, coming 5th of 12 on the all weather at Wolverhampton but he tends to need the run after a break to show his best. He should be in the mix for the places.

3 Champagne Bob – Has mainly raced over further in his career (his two wins coming over 7f), but when he has dropped back to sprinting trips he hasn’t disgraced himself. One effort of note was at Newmarket last year in a Class 4 event (6f) where he finished 2nd off today’s mark. Like on that day, jockey Edward Greatrex takes off 3lb and he is another that should go well.

4 Generalyse – The 8-y-o has dropped to a very enticing mark of 58 on the flat (has won off a mark of 70 twice before), but it isn’t hard to see why. He was last seen in January when finishing last of 12 at Wolverhampton and has been generally inconsistent the last two years. The short break could have freshened him up, but he is a risky option regardless.

5 Hurricane Alert – Opened his account at the 24th attempt when winning at Yarmouth last week on fast ground, and he gets similar conditions here in his attempt to follow up. Prior to that victory he had been running well on the all weather, coming 2nd at Chelmsford behind an in form Roy’s Legacy where he was put up 4lb. That rise didn’t stop him winning when switched to turf, winning in good style by 1 & 3/4 length. Should continue in good form.

6 Cee Jay – Boasted some fair maiden form back in 2015, but has steadily declined since then. The gelding is yet to win in 15 attempts and makes his first start for the the Patrick Chamings stable after moving from Robert Cowell’s yard. The change in scenery would have to spark some improvement if he was to win, but he does race off a career low mark.

7 Jeanie’s Place – Won on her debut as a 2-y-o for Richard Fahey and was highly tried after that, running some sound races in Class Nursery Handicaps. Now with Charlie Wallis, she has yet to find her feet and has run poorly on all 3 starts for the yard. The switch back to turf could be the key, but recent form suggests to oppose for now.

8 Wilspa’s Magic – A Zebedee filly who is still fairly lightly raced at 4 years old, but her 3 efforts at the track/sprinting trips don’t bode well. She was last seen In June of last year when finishing down the field at today’s course and is best watched on this occasion. The in-form Dane O’Neill taking the ride is a positive however, he has a strike rate of 28% in the past two weeks (5 winners from 18 rides).

9 Staffa – Showed improved form on her seasonal reappearance when finishing 5th of 11 at Kempton earlier this month, that being her handicap debut. She is an interesting contender on the back of that run as she was keen early on and came widest of all round the bend. Finley Marsh also takes off a valuable 7lb also.

10 Compton Prince – Has mainly raced on the all weather throughout his 71 race career, but switches back to the grass off a 12lb lower mark. That is with good reason though as his turf form is patchy. His only turf win did however come on his only attempt to date at today’s course, springing a 33/1 surprise back in 2013. He’s in good heart lately and is dangerous if showing his best all weather form back on the turf.

11 Burauq – Returns from a short break after a winter campaign on the all weather where he posted some good placed efforts. He won over today’s course & distance in September of last year off 3lb lower, but that was on Good to Soft, so he could struggle to reproduce that form on faster ground and with him being higher in the weights.

12 Pleadings – A fairly poor maiden after 9 starts and he will need his turf debut to spark a good deal of improvement for him to be involved. His 3rd at Lingfield near the start of the year was slightly more encouraging, but he followed that up with two poor efforts and it is hard to see him figure on the back of them runs.

13 Kingstreet Lady – Still yet to get her head in front after 15 races, but was a very close 3rd off just 1lb lower back in March. That was over 7f, so the step back in trip has to be seen as a negative. Her best turf effort came at today’s course but others look to have more pressing claims.

14 Silver Springs – The filly was once rated 26lb higher than her mark today, but that represents her steady decline in the past few seasons. Her last run wasn’t devoid of promise however, finishing 4th after her rider that day mistook the winning post (would have likely been placed otherwise) and she races off a 7lb lower mark now returning to the grass.

15 Zophilly – Yet to show any promise on all 4 handicap starts to date, only beating 2 rivals in the process. She has been dropped 7lb by the handicapper after her last run but that is still unlikely going to be enough for the Zoffany filly to get involved on her turf debut.

16 A Definite Diamond – Has a terrible record so far in her career and her official rating on turf stands at 1. She has finished last in all of her 7 races so far and needs nothing short of a miracle on form to figure at the business end of the race.