UK Horse Racing Tips: Taunton

Denied by the narrowest of margins when last seen at Compiegne in March, when trained by Mathieu Pitart, ILIKO D'OLIVATE has to be of serious interest on his return to action since wind surgery. Now in the exceptionally capable hands of Paul Nicholls, he is fancied to make a winning start for the Ditcheat team, but stablemate Pleasant Man is entitled to come on for his seasonal debut at Aintree last month and cannot be taken lightly. Connections of Way Out reach for a hood in an attempt to spark additional enthusiasm into their son of Getaway and he completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Iliko Dolivate 2nd Pleasant Man 3rd Way Out

With just the four runners heading to post for this contest, it is easiest to side with the Alan King-trained CALL OF THE WILD. He remains relatively unexposed and, even though he disappointed when unseating Tom Cannon at the fourth obstacle on his chasing bow at Doncaster last month, he is fancied to improve off the back of that. Cap Du Mathan boasts more experience over fences than the selection and is expected to be thereabouts for powerful connections, while Robin's Dream is another to consider switching to fences after 588 days off the track.
Prediction : 1st Call Of The Wild 2nd Cap Du Mathan 3rd Robins Dream

Bascule showed plenty on the Flat towards the end of last year but disappointed over hurdles at Newbury when finishing a well-beaten eighth last time. Although he should not be ruled out based on that performance, it could pay to take a chance with RARE MIDDLETON. He was a game winner on the Flat at Leopardstown last October and, now switched to Paul Nicholls, looks set to put in a bold showing on his hurdling debut. Parc D'amour remains unexposed and could also make his presence felt.
Prediction : 1st Rare Middleton 2nd Bascule 3rd Parc Damour

Triumph Hurdle entrant AFADIL - a 255,000-euro purchase after winning on the Flat in France - is hardly thrown in at the deep end for his UK/hurdles debut and, given his speed-orientated pedigree, he could be too sharp for the rest. Paul Nicholls has an impeccable record with similar types and this son of Camelot is a standout option in an otherwise ordinary-looking maiden hurdle. Danton didn't impress with his jumping before being pulled up on his introduction over timber, so Mammies Boy may represent the biggest threat to the selection.
Prediction : 1st Afadil 2nd Mammies Boy 3rd Danton

This could prove to be a strong race for future reference as the like of Sayadam, American Sniper and Throne Hall have all won over hurdles already and can be fancied to continue to pay their way as they gain further experience. However, the unbeaten LADY ADARE had plenty in hand when she won each of her three previous starts over hurdles and, as she has already scored over C&D, she is too hard to ignore at present. Sayadam looks progressive and rates the biggest threat.
Prediction : 1st Lady Adare 2nd Sayadam 3rd American Sniper

It has been a long time between drinks in this sphere for BORN TO PLEASE but her most recent second at Leicester hinted that she may be about to return to winning ways. The winner of that contest has gone in again since and she may have too much for the consistent Never No Trouble and Eventful, who scored comfortably at Southwell in November. Others to note include Kentford Mallard, Sawpit Sienna and Tintern Abbey.
Prediction : 1st Born To Please 2nd Eventful 3rd Never No Trouble

Placed in Grade 2 company as a juvenile hurdler, MITCHOUKA is a classy sort to be contesting a hunter chase at the age of nine. The son of Creachadoir was a creditable fifth in last year's Cross Country Chase, so he should stay every yard of this trip. Tout Est Permis arrives with a similar profile on his first start for Archie Watson, whereas the likes of Envious Editor and Wotzizname are proven in this sphere.
Prediction : 1st Mitchouka 2nd Tout Est Permis 3rd Envious Editor