UK Horse Racing Tips: Taunton

Johnny Jump Up warrants respect as the highest rated in this open affair, with the shorter trip unlikely to inconvenience him. However, LARIO's third on his stable bow in a competitive novice hurdle at Newbury rates as a slightly stronger performance. The five-year-old should have more to offer for Harry Derham and he's taken to regain the winning thread. Secret Squirrel and Chancycourt also have the form to feature prominently.
Prediction : 1st Lario 2nd Johnny Jump Up 3rd Secret Squirrel

PLAISIR DES FLOS supplemented a Sedgefield success at Wincanton, with the Fergal O'Brien-trained gelding and his fellow joint-favourite drawing 28 lengths clear of the third. Although the handicapper has reacted with a 10lb hike in the ratings, there still appears to be plenty more to come and the hat-trick beckons. First-time blinkers may spark Pentire Head's interest and he could give the selection most to think about, ahead of the down-in-grade Illogical Logic.
Prediction : 1st Plaisir Des Flos 2nd Pentire Head 3rd Illogical Logic

SOIR DE GALA is sure to prove popular on this quick turnaround having finished a respectable second on his handicap debut at Plumpton at the beginning of the month. Paul Nicholls' charge is effectively 7lb well-in and he can break through if running to a similar level. The biggest threat may emerge from King's Castle, who finished behind a pair of subsequent winners when fourth at Wincanton on Boxing Day. Daany could prove a viable each-way alternative.
Prediction : 1st Soir De Gala 2nd Kings Castle 3rd Daany

FLASH GORCOMBE clearly benefited from the step back to 2m when scoring with the minimum of fuss at Hereford, and a 7lb rise may not be enough to anchor Robert Walford's charge here. Despite being turned over at 1/6 in a Southwell match on his chasing debut, Breaking Cover should appreciate this return to a right-handed track, while Fire Dancer fared best of those held up when second at Ludlow and, off an unchanged mark, he warrants respect.
Prediction : 1st Flash Gorcombe 2nd Breaking Cover 3rd Fire Dancer

Punters will need to be in a forgiving mood to side with KNOWSLEY ROAD, but it might pay to do so. Paul Nicholls' seven-year-old showed little in two starts over fences this winter, but this mark looks well within reach judging on the pick of his form and, on his first start after wind surgery and back over timber, this might just be the day to catch him. Feivel scored in bloodless fashion over an extended 2m5f at Exeter, but this career-high mark demands more from him. Isaac Des Obeaux, a stable companion of the selection, also commands respect on his handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Knowsley Road 2nd Feivel 3rd Isaac Des Obeaux

PRIDE OF PARIS made his handicap hurdling debut a winning one when scoring narrowly over an extended 2m5f at Fontwell in January. Stepping up further in trip and tackling fences for the first time, he gets the vote to go in again off a 5lb higher mark. West Orchard pulled clear with the eventual winner when second over 3m1f on heavy ground at Wincanton and he is respected. The rise in distance can help American Gerry put his best foot forward, although his winless run dates back to April 2022.
Prediction : 1st Pride Of Paris 2nd West Orchard 3rd American Gerry

WESTERN KNIGHT showed distinct promise at Plumpton a year ago and having been given plenty of time to mature, the son of Westerner is a highly appealing option for Joe Tizzard to be reintroducing at this stage of the season. Open to any amount of improvement, the five-year-old is taken to go one better than that second-placed finish on his racecourse bow. Jaccours and Jena D'oudairies are a couple of others to monitor closely in the betting.
Prediction : 1st Western Knight 2nd Jaccours 3rd Jena Doudairies

DIAMONDS FOR LUCK might have fallen on both starts between the flags, but he showed promise in between the obstacles and having still swapped hands for 130,000 pounds last April, the five-year-old is too intriguing to ignore on his debut under Rules. Fellow point-to-point recruit Fury Lad is another to keep tabs on in the betting, while Rupert's Wish ticks the right boxes on pedigree and is also a must for consideration.
Prediction : 1st Diamonds For Luck 2nd Fury Lad 3rd Ruperts Wish