UK Horse Racing Tips: Taunton

Paul Nicholls has sent out two of the last four winners of this race and it has to be of significance that he lowers the sights for BLUEKING D'OROUX after his disappointing run when he was sent off favourite for the Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle trial at Cheltenham last month. He looks worthy of a chance to prove himself at this level, although Trojan Horse is going the right way and must be respected. Mr Rumbalicious also appeals.
Prediction : 1st Blueking Doroux 2nd Trojan Horse 3rd Mr Rumbalicious

TIMEFORATUNE is a good starting point for a race of this nature and can make the most of a drop in class after posting a respectable effort in defeat in a series qualifier at Cheltenham three weeks ago. That form reads well in the context of this race and sets the standard for the rest to aim for here. Like the selection, Far Sigh represents a yard that has done well in recent renewals of this race so has to be feared, while Catuaba is also considered.
Prediction : 1st Timeforatune 2nd Far Sight 3rd Catuaba

KAYF HERNANDO impressed when winning by 11 lengths over C&D last month and is hard to oppose in his bid to follow up. A 9lb higher mark demands more and opens the door for the likes of How's The Cricket and Mahon Point, who are both progressive and have little to fear over this trip. The latter is suggested as the main threat to the selection given he had no trouble over 3m when he won a point last May.
Prediction : 1st Kayf Hernando 2nd Mahon Point 3rd Hows The Cricket

She's A Saint sets the standard having finished second to a pair of useful rivals on her last couple of starts at Newbury. That said, she could fill the runner-up position once again as preference is for the unbeaten CREDROJAVA. Harry Fry's mare confirmed the promise of her bumper win when scoring easily at Fontwell on her hurdling debut and it would be no surprise if she were to make her mark at this level. The shortlist is completed by last month's Exeter winner Lutinebella.
Prediction : 1st Credrojava 2nd Shes A Saint 3rd Lutinebella

THE CHANGING MAN arrives here on the back of a hat-trick and even a 9lb rise for the most recent of those wins may not be enough to stop him today. That said, Apple Rock is also a progressive sort and is an obvious threat to the selection, while Go Chique and Time To Tinker are the pick of the remaining field.
Prediction : 1st The Changing Man 2nd Apple Rock 3rd Go Chique

LUCKELLO makes his chasing debut following two emphatic successes in point-to-points and makes a lot of appeal with those runs in mind. He hasn't been seen since May but is worth taking a chance on based on what he showed over the summer, while Minella Voucher drops in trip following a disappointing run at Sedgefield in October and can be expected to mount a serious challenge to the selection if bouncing back to form. Advantura has gone well here in the past and completes the shortlist, despite falling on his most recent run.
Prediction : 1st Luckello 2nd Minella Voucher 3rd Advantura

A fairly open contest in which a chance can be taken with FAME AND FUN. He represents a powerful stable and a first-time tongue-tie could see him build on a promising third at this track last month. He kept on well over 2m last time out and a stiffer stamina test could work in his favour based on that, but a 4lb raised mark may not be enough to stop Karakoram following up his recent win and he has to be feared. Couldbeaweapon is another to note dropping in trip.
Prediction : 1st Fame And Fun 2nd Karakoram 3rd Couldbeaweapon