Timeform Daily: Tuesday, Wetherby 14:50

Timeform
17 February 2014

Wetherby plays host to racing on Tuesday.

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Timeform take a look at the field for a handicap hurdle, staged over two miles and six furlongs, at Wetherby on Tuesday...

"A tongue tie has really worked the oracle for Markem, and with the prospect of even more to come, he can shrug off a 6 lb rise..."

Micro Mission is a winning hurdler/chaser who ran respectably when third of 7 at Newcastle a month ago (3m). Dropped another 3 lb but others still more persuasive.

You Know Yourself is better known as a fairly useful handicap chaser, making all at Kelso in April. Absent since the following month, and though lower in weights over hurdles, this may well be a pipe-opener.

Forty Crown is a bumper winner who also scored twice over hurdles last winter. Didn't take to chasing, but much more like it when third in the mud at Sedgefield last month back over timber.

Heavenstown was well ridden by this rider when making most in a messy race at Southwell earlier this month. Remains to be seen whether blinkers will have the same effect again.

Markem hinted at promise in novice/maiden hurdles spread over 6 months last term, and now really coming good in handicaps, winning back-to-back contests at Sedgefield last month. Hat-trick very much on.

Baileys Concerto shaped very well until unseating 2 out in a novice chase on 2012/13 return, but failed to progress in 3 further starts for Venetia Williams. Engaged 4.40 Carlisle Monday.

Grey Area made the perfect start for this yard when winning a couple of handicaps around this time last year, but well held completed start his winter following 8 months off. Will return to form at some point.

Brave Buck looked a different proposition initially this term, winning handicaps in the mud at Ffos Las and Chepstow. Bad mistake ended his chance at Ascot but may have been amiss at Haydock (stopped quickly).

Captain Clayton produced his best effort yet back from a break when fifth at Carlisle in November, but in nothing like the same form at Musselburgh the following month and now stepped up in trip.

Stickleback was modest on Flat but set to make up into a better hurdler, not beaten far here (25f) in December. Can race lazily, so headgear may be a good move.

Delightfully is a veteran who is well handicapped nowadays, but looks to be merely going through the motions, and will probably get going when it's all too late.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Markem
2. Forty Crown
3. Stickleback

Timeform Verdict: A tongue tie has really worked the oracle for Markem, and with the prospect of even more to come, he can shrug off a 6 lb rise and complete the hat-trick. Forty Crown is likely to give it another good go, whilst Stickleback is a threat to the pair with the application of cheekpieces a good move.

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