There’s a busy afternoon ahead at Wincanton, with eight races on the agenda at the Somerset track.
They get underway at 1.10pm and race through until 4.40pm. Conditions are ‘Good (Good to soft in places)’.
Watch all the action from Wincanton, alongside every race from the UK and Ireland, via live streaming when logged into MansionBet. Our tipster has a race-by-race look at today’s card.
1.10 – Colin Lewis Memorial Open Hunters’ Chase (3m1f)
Just the two runners in this Hunters’ Chase to begin the card. West Approach has lots of ability but has found winning hard through his career. He’s a quirky sort at times, often needing to be cajoled into contention and a two-horse race may not be ideal for him. ALCALA by contrast has a fine strike-rate (9-24 over fences) and is known to go well fresh. Paul Nicholls’ runner may grab this.
Selection: Alcala @ 4/6
1.40 – troughfarmshop.com Farmshop, Cafe & Restaurant, Yeovil Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals/Amateurs) (2m4f)
Ecco is a player on last season’s form for the Nicholls team here at their local track, though the 7YO has come up well short of that level in two runs this season. Top-weight CHAMPAGNE COURT is preferred therefore as he’s clearly in good heart. He won over hurdles at Exeter in December and was only narrowly defeated last month over fences around Kempton. He can continue his good form.
Selection: Champagne Court @ 13/8
2.10 – farmyardretreat.co.uk Luxury Self-Catering Apartments, Yeovil Novices’ Handicap Chase (1m7½f)
Once more, the champion trainer has a leading contender in Siroco Jo, twice a winner over hurdles in 2021 and now back from a short break to commence his chasing career. He’s got potential. So, too, has BENNY’S BRIDGE judged on his third at Doncaster in late December on first attempt over fences. He will have to settle better early on, his over-eagerness contributing to things falling apart since at Newbury, but it’s too early to write him off especially if Johnny Burke can get him to relax.
Selection: Benny’s Bridge @ 11/4
2.40 – EBF Mares’ ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (2m5f)
Winner of her sole start in an Irish point-to-point, there was much to like in last weeks’ stable bow from PLENTY OF TIME here over 2m4f. She finished second behind Southwell bumper winner and fellow hurdles debutant Abuffalosoldier there, having got to the lead at three out. The pair were miles clear of everything else and with this additional distance holding no fears, Harriet Brown’s charge can go one better.
Selection: Plenty Of Time @ 7/4
3.10 – Peckmoor Farm Lodges Novices’ Hurdle Division 1 (1m7f)
The standard is set by Honneur D’ajonc for Jane Williams, winner of hurdles races at Hereford, Taunton and Exeter (3-5 in total) this season already. He has a double penalty to concede however and his winning efforts have come over longer trips, with both reverses at this distance. The David Pipe-trained THANKSFORTHEHELP is improving with each start and last month’s Huntingdon second behind Dan Skelton’s Frere D’armes (odds-on here in the 3.40 today) is probably a very solid showing. Getting 10lb from the market leader, Tom Scudamore’s partner can make it count.
Selection: Thanksforthehelp @ 5/2
3.40 – Peckmoor Farm Lodges Novices’ Hurdle Division 2 (1m7f)
The aforementioned FRERE D’ARMES never saw a rival in his front-running win at Huntingdon three weeks ago under champion jockey Harry Skelton. His earlier second behind Balco Coastal at Ludlow in December was also advertised positively by the winner at Cheltenham last Saturday and despite his penalty, he’s got lots in his favour again here.
Selection: Frere D’armes @ 4/11
4.10 – Dick Hunt Handicap Chase (3m1f)
It’s been another strange sort of season for Colin Tizzard’s string. They were resurgent in the autumn, including CHRISTMAS IN APRIL was runner-up at Carlisle (3m2f, soft) on his comeback, but suffered a winter lull that coincided with lesser efforts from this horse at Sandown and Plumpton. The yard are back going well now and if the first-time blinkers have the desired effect, the old boy in this line-up (at 10) may outrun his odds in a very open contest.
Selection: Christmas In April @ 16/1
4.40 – Bet At racingtv.com Mares’ Open NH Flat Race (1m7f)
Racecourse newcomers Dollar Bae and Fishcake represents top yards and any traction behind them in the betting would be worth noting, while Annie Wicks was third on debut and should go well for Evan Williams. Fergal O’Brien’s bumper horses tend to do well and are often ready first time out. The mare PERCULATOR makes sound appeal on paper and, at the prices, Paddy Brennan’s partner does likewise in the betting.
Selection: Perculator @ 13/2.
*All odds correct at time of writing.