Wetherby stages its primary jumps meeting of the year on Saturday, with the feature bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, a Grade 2 over 3m, ably supported throughout, including by the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle and the Listed bet365 Montagu Mares' Hurdle.
Racing Post tipster Marcus Buckland has provided three recommendations from the day's action at Wetherby.
Marcus Buckland's Wetherby Horse Racing Betting Tips
13:10 Wetherby - Tanking Along @ 7/2
13:45 Wetherby - Watamu @ 11/2
14:55 Wetherby - Handstands @ 7/2
13:10 Wetherby - Tanking Along @ 7/2
Patrick Neville’s string is thriving this season, none more so than Tanking Along, who is fancied to complete his hat-trick, despite his latest 8lb rise.
The seven-year-old took time to acclimatise to fences and, although successful over 2m1f in the spring, he’s excelled since being stepped up to 2m4f, winning off marks of 106 at Sedgefield last month and off 110 at Kelso 16 days ago.
He was value for significantly more than the bare winning margin of four-and-three-quarter lengths suggested last time, jumping well out in front under a confident Brian Hughes, who sat quietly until the run-in.
Taking Along ran to a Racing Post Rating of 118 which matches his new official figure, so has little if any further improvement to find.
13:45 Wetherby - Watamu @ 11/2
Watamu made it three wins from her last five starts over hurdles with a slick display on her seasonal return at Stratford earlier this month and more than warrants her place in this stronger grade.
Emma Lavelle’s five-year-old won by two-and-three-quarter lengths at the Midlands track, but that grossly flattered the runner-up as Jonathan Burke took things notably easy, before nursing her to the front on the run-in.
She’s up to an official mark of 126 now, which still leaves her with plenty to find with the 140-rated Kateira on these terms, but she’s open to any amount of further improvement and should be well suited by this flat track, which isn’t dissimilar to Stratford, where she’s 3-3.
Harry Cobden, who has a 25 per cent strike-rate for Lavelle over the past five years, is back on board.
14:55 Wetherby - Handstands @ 7/2
Ben Pauling’s Handstands stopped quickly in his first-time cheekpieces when pulled up in the Ultimate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but he’s been reported in rude health prior to this seasonal return and is taken to upset likely short-priced favourite Pic D’orhy, who can’t be getting any better at the age.
The selection, who is minus the headgear on this occasion, is the youngest in the field at seven and, prior to his festival flop, had repeatedly run to a high level over fences, including a trio of Graded wins as a novice.
An admirable fourth behind Grey Dawning in last season’s Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock and third to Protektorat at Windsor, Handstands has had issues with his wind in the past and could well relish this sound surface.
Read more horse racing betting tips and predictions on site.
Tipster's Recent Winners
Marcus Buckland has enjoyed plenty of success over the last couple of weeks, his winners including Chattering Classes (20/1), Together Now (4/6) and Girls Allowed (11/10). He’s also had several places at double-figure prices.
Marcus Buckland's Wetherby Horse Racing Betting Tips
13:10 Wetherby - Tanking Along @ 7/2
13:45 Wetherby - Watamu @ 11/2
14:55 Wetherby - Handstands @ 7/2
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
