UK Horse Racing Tips: Wincanton

Deteriorating ground conditions might have been the undoing of COUNTRY LADY when third at this venue in December. Back on a sounder surface, and pitched into a handicap for the first time, it would come as no surprise were Paul Nicholls' mare to take a step forward today. Tribesmans Glory kept on at the one pace over 1m7f here last month and the son of Jeremy can post an improved effort returned to further, while Nordic Tiger is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Country Lady 2nd Tribesmans Glory 3rd Nordic Tiger

BRAVE JEN was touched off in a Listed event on her penultimate outing and although subsequently pulled up in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury, she looks to have been found a golden opportunity eased in class. Larchmont Lass is another that should benefit from a drop in grade and must feature prominently in calculations, along with Goodtimecrew and Betty's Tiara. Asian Spice goes in search of her hat-trick having notched a brace of Exeter handicap wins in November, but this looks tougher under a double penalty.
Prediction : 1st Brave Jen 2nd Larchmont Lass 3rd Goodtimecrew

DARTMOOR PIRATE must concede weight all round having landed a C&D maiden in December, but he found only a now 135-rated rival too strong at Huntingdon last month and looks the one to beat. Steel Ally was unable to do himself justice after pulling too hard on heavy ground at Ffos Las, though he is unlikely to be far away here if settling better. Kentucky Bluegrass boasts some solid Flat form and warrants respect now switched to hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Dartmoor Pirate 2nd Steel Ally 3rd Kentucky Bluegrass

It is difficult to look past FIRE FLYER on the back of a highly encouraging hurdling debut effort at Newbury behind a subsequent Grade 2 scorer. A winner over a similar distance to this in bumpers, Paul Nicholls' charge should not be inconvenienced by the drop in trip and he sets the standard ahead of the likes of Johannes and Thank You Ma'am, who seems to be improving.
Prediction : 1st Fire Flyer 2nd Thank You Maam 3rd Johannes

Slight preference is for MANOTHEPEOPLE, who has not shown much in his last two starts but ran very well on his first start of the season at Exeter. Tom Broughton's 7lb claim is a help and he may be able to regain some of his early chasing form from last season. An easy winner over C&D last time out, albeit on heavy ground, Take Your Time can give him the most to think about, ahead of Jacamar.
Prediction : 1st Manothepeople 2nd Take Your Time 3rd Jacamar

Grade 1-winning hurdler LALOR makes his hunter chase bow after a 670-day layoff and the veteran could have too much class for these rivals. Paul Nicholls' charge was last seen dominating a class 2 handicap chase at Newbury and a reproduction of that performance would make him extremely tough to beat. Goose Man has race fitness on his side and may give the selection most to think about, ahead of Lieutenant Rocco.
Prediction : 1st Lalor 2nd Goose Man 3rd Lieutenant Rocco

Northern Symphonie failed to build on her promising second at Newbury in December when only mustering a seventh-placed finish at Warwick the following month. With several interesting newcomers on show, it may pay to look elsewhere and NOTORIOUS PINK edges the vote. The Martaline mare, a half-sister to the Grade 2-placed chaser One For The Team, ticks plenty of the right boxes. She may have enough speed to fend off fellow debutant Jubilee Alpha, who warrants respect representing Paul Nicholls.
Prediction : 1st Notorious Pink 2nd Jubilee Alpha 3rd Northern Symphonie