Timeform’s Wetherby Betting Tips:
14:15 Billy Boi Blue
14:45 Raffles Wonder
15:15 Carrigeen Castle
15:45 Top Of The Bill
16:15 Kinder Kid
16:45 Oak Grove
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
14:15 Billy Boi Blue
BILLY BOI BLUE had some fairly useful form in bumpers when trained by Fergal O’Brien and he has improved with each run so far over hurdles for this yard. He took a big step forward when runner-up at 50/1 at Kempton in November and proved that effort was no fluke when going one place better at Hereford in January.
He was in full control on that occasion and, given he should have even more to offer, he is taken to follow up under a penalty. Act of Authority is preferred to Tommy Time for the forecast spot.
14:45 Raffles Wonder
RAFFLES WONDER confirmed the promise of his previous run when opening his account over hurdles in a handicap at Hexham last week, producing a performance more in keeping with the level of form he had shown in bumpers. He was given a patient ride, but made good headway in the second half of the race, leading on the bridle approaching the last and soon stretching well clear of his rivals.
It is no surprise that connections have found an opportunity for him under a penalty and he will be very hard to beat if in the same form. Lone Soldier and Hide Out look the likeliest dangers.
15:15 Carrigeen Castle
CARRIGEEN CASTLE has made a positive start for these connections, landing back-to-back handicaps over fences this year, including a 22-length romp over this course and distance where he barely had to come off the bridle. Admittedly, that wasn’t a deep race, but it was hard not to be impressed by the manner of his victory, and he progressed further in defeat at Catterick last time.
He was beaten only by a progressive, well-treated rival on that occasion, so he makes plenty of appeal back at this venue racing from the same mark, with Brian Hughes now taking over in the saddle. Heartbreak Kid may provide the chief threat.
15:45 Top Of The Bill
TOP OF THE BILL and Collectors Item both need to bounce back but, if able to do so, they will likely come to the fore in this trappy-looking handicap. The latter is potentially the better treated of the two but there’s less to forgive where Top of The Bill is concerned.
Indeed, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge appeared to be firmly on the up prior to trailing in last of three finishers at Exeter on his latest start and he is preferred with that in mind. Lord of Kerak is just about third choice ahead of Donny Boy.
16:15 Kinder Kid
This stiffer test promises to suit KINDER KID, who shaped well on his handicap debut over two and a half miles at this course recently, despite clearly finding the trip too sharp and not hurdling with any great fluency.
Moving up to three miles will probably help both in relation to his jumping and in terms of sparking general improvement, so he is fancied to prove himself well handicapped from a mark of 90. Fainche deserves to get her head in front and she is next on the list ahead of Mister Barclay, who will be in with a fighting chance if able to shrug off a below par last-time-out effort.
16:45 Oak Grove
An interesting bumper to conclude. OAK GROVE wasn’t seen to best effect when fifth in a decent race at Ascot on his debut in November and can step up on that form with a tongue tie added on his return.
Southwell winner Castle Ivers should go well despite the penalty, while Sawdust could step up on the form of his Exeter third if settling better this time. Point winners Worldwide Fury and Caughtinyourtrance would also enter the reckoning if the betting suggests they are fancied.
Wetherby Betting Tips:
14:15 Billy Boi Blue
14:45 Raffles Wonder
15:15 Carrigeen Castle
15:45 Top Of The Bill
16:15 Kinder Kid
16:45 Oak Grove
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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