Wetherby Tips: Raffles Wonder just the ticket

Tuesday's racing action includes a six-race offering from Wetherby, one of two UK jumps cards on a quiet day.

They race at the West Yorkshire circuit from 14:15-16:45 and we've selected a trio of runners to follow on the card.

14:45 Wetherby – Raffles Wonder @ SP

A Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle over two-miles in which Aaron Anderson and RAFFLES WONDER could be tough to stop in their pursuit of a second win in five days for the Rebecca Menzies yard.

The Balko gelding was a Sedgefield bumper winner last year but didn't immediately thrive upon his return from a break to go hurdling.

He was well held in four starts in novice/maiden company before heading north-east to Newcastle last month for his handicap bow and showing immediate improvement.

He was well found in the betting for a conditionals race under Anderson and they finished a close-up third over 2m1f on heavy ground. On Thursday last, they headed for Hexham (2m, heavy) and came from off the pace to win easily by 17-lengths. On that showing, a 7lb penalty isn't going to be enough to prevent the follow up.

15:45 Wetherby – Cerendipity @ SP

Race four of the afternoon is the Bella Coulson's 50th Birthday Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, set to be run over the extended three-mile trip, and a case can be made for most of the six-runner field.

CERENDIPITY gets the nod for Sue Smith and Daryl Jacob to notch a second course win. He was on the scoresheet over 1m7f (soft) here in November under this rider, getting off the mark on just his second start over the larger obstacles.

He's put out mixed signals since, pulling up on very testing ground at Haydock in December and then falling before he'd played his cards at Doncaster in January.

The seven-year-old arrives here off the back of a solid third at Catterick (2m3f, soft) last month. That form looks sound, and the runner-up Carigeen Castle could give it a timely boost in the preceding race on this card for the Olly Murphy team.

Cerendipity has been eased 1lb by the assessor and as a half-brother to 2m6f hurdles/chase winner Another Rebel, he looks well worth trying over this increased trip on just his seventh start over fences.

16:15 Wetherby – Fainche @ SP

The RacingTV.com Handicap Hurdle doesn't appear to a contest of great depth, with stamina doubts over the likes of Mister Barclay and a pair of 12YOs in Oliver's Island and Mackie Dee helping to make the case for FAINCHE for Brian Hughes as he takes the ride for the in-form Micky Hammond team.

This mare had plenty of experience in Ireland and, having missed 403 days before her December bow for Hammond at Catterick, has shown in two runs since that she should be able to make her mark in this sort of grade.

She was placed over C&D in January at odds of 50/1 and showed that was no fluke last month when denied a half-length at Carlisle (3m1m, heavy) behind Fevertre, who has since gone close again at Hexham. Hughes takes over in the plate for the first time now and this looks a winnable race for the daughter of Fame And Glory, with her proven stamina sure to be a plus.