7:18 Stratford Tips

Realistic Optimism is the second of Jamie Snowden's three runners on the card this evening. Back from a break and after a wind operation, he ran well to be second last time out. Hopefully, he can now start winning over hurdles, and this Class 5 handicap looks like a good place to start.

My other pick is Hill Station, who has run really well twice in a row at Newton Abbot. Luke Scott is riding again. He was a bit unlucky in the run-in last time out, but I still think he would have lost. Should again be there at the end.

Star Legend has had four wins in his last five runs in staying races on the flat. Although he won last December over hurdles, that was over nearly three miles, and he has been going close without winning over shorter distances. He should go close again.

The model I run has suggested Square Du Roule might cause an upset here. This has been driven by Square Du Roule having the second highest RPR of the 10-runner field, but has an official ranking that is the third lowest of the entire field. This subsequently leaves him carrying the third lightest amount of weight around this 2m 2f round trip. The weight differential up to some of the market leaders near the top of the weights is over 1 stone and might be telling by the finish. Has shown some consistent form placing but needs to show a bit more to win. The model has issued a 'very low' stake indicator which translates to a 0.5pt bet on a scale of 0-4.

A wind op had little effect this time last year to impact results, but a visor and a 192-day break seems to have had the desired effect. Won with a length to spare at Huntingdon and although bumped up in weight, has won much higher in the past. Keeps the visor here.

Just held on last time out at Hereford, beating the hot Henderson favourite. The 3rd horse was 9 lengths further back. Also has good form at this track when 2nd of 12 in a maiden, so worth chancing at 9/1 e/w if eight go to post.

Not too many miles on the clock for the 7-year-old, and he is quite consistent. Excuses last time out on his chase debut. Better judged on his previous run when beaten just 3L in a handicap hurdle. The 1st, 2nd, and 4th have given that form a nice boost since. Same mark for this handicap, but a more experienced jockey takes over in the saddle. He looks a little overpriced.