Our top tipster, Daryl Carter has three selections for Thursday’s meeting at Taunton, as he looks to warm up for the weekend’s action ahead. Check them out below, along with an exclusive Virgin Bet offer that provides new customers with £20 in free bets.
EARTH COMPANY. – (12.55 Taunton , 1pt win – 4/1)
This is a good race for the grade, and there is little to separate Jay Jay Reilly, Gala De Corton and EARTH COMPANY on their hurdles speed figures. However, the selection was behind Gala De Corton at Wincanton last time, but he is entitled to improve a good deal for that first run of the season.
Philip Hobbs’ runner has had both of the above mentioned in behind previously in bumper runs, and he is the speedier horse out of the three that are likely to fight this out. It was clear as day he had wind issues last term, failing to finish out his race and the hope is that he just faltered for fitness at Wincanton when making a threatening challenge to Knappers Hill.
He may not be the one with the most potential out of the three – which could come in the form of Gala De Corton – but once tackling further, highlighted by his first start over hurdles coming over 2m5f.
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FAMOSO – (1.25 Taunton, 1pt win – 5/2)
I am happy to give FAMOSO another chance today simply because he ran with the choke out for much of the race at Wincanton on seasonal reappearance, and it was the same story at this venue off the back of a break in March.
He looks on a very fair mark on the balance of his form, and while he may not live up to the reputation of that of his excellent family, he still poses some ability. It’s a positive to see Harry Cobden back on board, and this race lacks depth, so he is worth rolling the dice with on just his second start in a handicap.
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GRISBI DE BERCE – (2.25 Taunton, 1pt win – 7/1)
GRISBI DE BERCE could potentially be too keen today on seasonal reappearance, so caution is advised, but he looks one of the best-handicapped horses in the race despite receiving a five pounds hike for his fall at Market Rasen back in June.
He travelled all over a good field that day and, despite making mistakes, was cantering before coming down when yet to be asked for an effort. Had he stayed on his feet he could have got a few more from the handicapper, and he is just the type to improve season on season.
Alan King part-owns this horse, so I expect him to be fully fit to do himself justice, and although Tom Cannon and Tom Bellamy are both at Lingfield, Jonathan Burke is no second fiddle with a 1/3 record for this yard.
On his best form, a mark of 125 looks very workable with excuses (final novice run and too much to do off a slow pace) at Kempton on his penultimate start. We haven’t seen the best of him yet, so he is worth siding with at the prices.
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DARYL CARTER’S BEST BETS
EARTH COMPANY. – (12.55 Taunton , 1pt win – 4/1)
FAMOSO – (1.25 Taunton, 1pt win – 5/2)
GRISBI DE BERCE – (2.25 Taunton, 1pt win – 7/1)
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