UK Horse Racing Tips: Wincanton

HATTAAB, who has returned to this sphere with two solid placed efforts recently, looks poised to appreciate this drop in distance and could finally shed the maiden tag over hurdles for Henry Oliver. The six-year-old can account for Petite Jack, who generally reserves his better efforts for the all-weather surface on the Flat at Lingfield, and Texan Nomad, who doesn't have too many miles on the clock and scored cosily at Taunton 15 days ago.
Prediction : 1st Hattaab 2nd Texan Nomad 3rd Petite Jack

Honourmission makes her handicap debut off a reasonable mark of 100 but will need to take a big step forward on what he has shown in his career so far. Petrify won off a mark of 77 at Newton Abbot back in September over this distance, but preference is for INSPIREUS, who has dropped to a tempting mark and shown promise over hurdles on varying ground. The six-year-old also represents a trainer who looks to be hitting top form now.
Prediction : 1st Inspireus 2nd Petrify 3rd Honourmission

PRESS GANG has yet to match the best of his exploits on the level over hurdles, but has to be respected off what could be a workable mark and it is interesting that handler Harry Fry has reached for blinkers this time. Fortia would have a chance if able to repeat her earlier novice form and could leave her latest disappointing efforts in the past, while Willyegolassiego wasn't beaten far at Fontwell last month and has been given a chance by the assessor, racing off a 2lb lower rating.
Prediction : 1st Press Gang 2nd Fortia 3rd Willyegolassiego

CASA TALL certainly wasn't disgraced in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham and upped his game further when fourth in a valuable handicap at Haydock. The handicapper has generously dropped him 1lb since his spin on Merseyside and he shades the verdict ahead of Nigh Or Never, who has placed on his last couple of starts. Catchin Time runs from 4lb out of the handicap, but he carries a very light weight and has been in decent form of late, thus making him an each-way player.
Prediction : 1st Casa Tall 2nd Nigh Or Never 3rd Catchin Time

BALLYCAINES made a pleasing enough start to his hurdling career when fifth over C&D and, with improvement expected, he could prove difficult to beat in what looks an easier assignment. Universal Command and Desert Trip both switch from the Flat scene and are respected, while Annsam merits consideration having progressed from his first start to finish third behind a couple of useful performers at Taunton in March and the first two home have franked that form since.
Prediction : 1st Ballycaines 2nd Universal Command 3rd Annsam

FUBAR has shown a good level of form in bumpers, most notably when fourth at Ascot in November to Emitom, and makes a fair amount of appeal as he steps up in distance on his hurdling debut. Southfield Torr gained his first success here over a furlong shorter in handicap company last month and will need to improve giving weight all round, while Craigmor looks best of the remainder returning to timber after winning twice over fences in three starts.
Prediction : 1st Fubar 2nd Southfield Torr 3rd Craigmor

A mediocre contest compared to usual bumpers at this course with the tentative vote going to DOYANNIE. She has one of the better pedigrees on offer in the field, coming from the family of Grade 1-placed Fagan, and she wouldn't need to run to a high level to get off the mark on her racecourse debut. Hot In The City's dam is a half-sister to useful dual purpose performer Dancing Bay and she warrants consideration along with Major Caballo.
Prediction : 1st Doyannie 2nd Hot In The City 3rd Major Caballo