4:22 Wetherby Tips

Unexposed 7-year-old, three runs over hurdles. He was a maiden hurdle winner five weeks ago. The runner-up ran a big race on his next start but fell late on. The third, fourth and fifth from that maiden race all had experience and decent ratings, but they were beaten by 20 lengths. The selection has an attractive opening handicap mark.

I'm prepared to ignore the run of Fergal O'Brien's 7yo at Ascot a month ago, where an early mistake may well have unsettled him. He'll be much happier back in this grade and can still be competitive from this mark.

Came right this time of the year last season but has been really disappointing this year. Mark continues to fall and on better ground is value to go close.

Into The Park is a dual winner, with the last victory over two years ago. He has looked decent among quite strong opponents recently. The longer trip and blinkers, applied for the first time, should help him significantly today!

Found life tough last time at Ayr after putting together a run of three decent performances, then an eighth place and beaten some way out. A handicap rise and several hard races could have been a factor. Returning from a 47-day break could also be a factor in a wide-open race.

This 12-year-old veteran is in excellent shape, with a notable 2nd at Doncaster in February. He has a solid history at Wetherby and is a former winner at this course. The key issue is that he is set to race over hurdles, despite his recent successes being over fences. However, considering his present form, he is a formidable each-way contender at favourable odds.

Tiger Orchid, fairly lightly raced 11-year-old, made his stable debut three weeks ago in a 3m1f soft-ground chase at Hereford last time after almost six months off. He should strip fitter today, and the new stable have put him back over hurdles. He has a good record over hurdles, and the stable do well when making the trip to this track (22% strike rate). He's the only one they have taken there today. He is versatile regarding ground and has won 5 and made the first three in 5 more at this trip from 20 attempts. 14/1 is a good each-way price.

6yo irish gelding Rioja Alta was a good 3rd of 8 lto over 3m1 1/2f at Catterick in late January after a two month break. Arrives again fresh here and it seems that he is still improving. Ground conditions should be ideal and he shouldn't be far away here.

He may have pulled up last time out, but IMPERIAL MERLIN is potentially dangerously handicapped for a big run here. Now below his last winning mark and lighter in the weights than some competitive-looking runs at the back end of last year. Stable in form, so if you are prepared to forgive the last run, we have claims here.