UK Horse Racing Tips: Taunton

Having made all for a facile win over course and distance in December, INSIDE MAN could be difficult to overhaul with a similar effort, in spite of a 7lb penalty. Dodger Long showed ability in bumpers last year, but ran green on his hurdles bow at Chepstow in January. Entitled to be wiser, Anthony Charlton's gelding still rates the biggest threat to the selection given Wonderful Delight, Diva B and Pooch all need to improve.
Prediction : 1st Inside Man 2nd Dodger Long 3rd Wonderful Delight

The betting market will be informative, with the likes of Siam Park, Taritino and Victory Club all rated potential improvers. However, Paul Nicholls has won two of the last five renewals of this contest and the Ditcheat handler can strike again as he sends BYZANTIUM out on a tried and trusted path for his hurdles/UK debut. The selection showed stacks of promise winning his sole start on the Flat in France and is pitched in at a realistic level here.
Prediction : 1st Byzantium 2nd Siam Park 3rd Taritino

An easy winner at Lingfield on his first start after wind surgery, JUST OVER LAND could have plenty more to give and rates a big player despite the handicapper imposing a 10lb hike for that 18-length success. Paul Nicholls bids for back-to-back winners of this race and his previous course winner, Centara, could be the one to give the selection the most to think about. Despereaux and Diamatiste are a couple of others with each-way appeal.
Prediction : 1st Just Over Land 2nd Centara 3rd Despereaux

DE RASHER COUNTER failed to fire at Kempton last time but the veteran has every chance of playing a leading role here if reproducing the form of his previous second at Sandown. First Lord De Cuet is another with strong form claims if leaving a poor run behind him on his most recent outing. Cases can be made for all of the remainder but Broken Halo is the pick of them.
Prediction : 1st De Rasher Counter 2nd First Lord De Cuet 3rd Broken Halo

LADY BALKO arrives here on the back of two wins last month and even a 7lb rise for the most recent of those victories may not be enough to stop her here. That said, The Midwife got off the mark under Rules at Market Rasen a month ago and is an obvious threat to the selection, while San Fermin could also go well.
Prediction : 1st Lady Balko 2nd The Midwife 3rd San Fermin

ARDMAYLE hasn't been in the best of form this season, but Ali Stronge's 12-year-old is down to a competitive mark and, eased in class, a resurgence might be on the cards. Filanderer has occupied the runner-up spot on each of his two starts over fences and is an obvious threat with further improvement likely, while Gorcombe Moonshine could prove to be the best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Ardmayle 2nd Filanderer 3rd Gorcombe Moonshine

The vote goes to SOLAR SYSTEM, who would not need to be anything out of the ordinary to defy an opening handicap mark of 95. The five-year-old is a half-brother to three separate winners in France so it would come as no surprise were he to step forward on this occasion. Battle March reached the frame in a similar C&D event last month and a similar performance would bring him firmly into the reckoning. Others to note include Talimar Pearl and Getmetothemoon.
Prediction : 1st Solar System 2nd Battle March 3rd Talimar Pearl