3.00pm Taunton Tips & Betting Preview 30/12/2016

6 classy mares go to post for a listed contest at Taunton on Friday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Giving away 3lb to her rivals should be no problem for the classy DUSKY LEGEND, whose run well in both her outings this season including a good 2nd in a Grade 2 last time out. She should be more than capable of giving that weight away successfully today to add a listed race to her roll of honour.

1 DUSKY LEGEND – Finished 2nd at the Festival in a Grade 2 behind Limini and has been doing well this season, finishing 2nd on her latest outing in a listed race behind La Bague Au Roi at Newbury (2m, Good to Soft). Holds the best chance on form and so will be hard to beat today for the inform Alan King team.

2 APPY DAYS – Won a bumper on the all weather at Lingfield in November (2m Std) but then was well held in a listed bumper the next time, finishing a 12 length 3rd (1m 7f, Good to Soft). This is even tougher on hurdling debut and may well struggle today unless the obstacles bring out a considerable amount of improvement.

3 AVITHOS – Has been reaching the frame in lower grade hurdles races this autumn/winter but is pitched into much more difficult territory today, may find this a bridge to far.

4 COILLTE LASS – Won an Irish Point-to-Point before joining Paul Nicholls and has won two races thus far, both over the 2m 5f trip at Hereford and most recently Ludlow against just one opponent. Both those races were arguably slam dunks and faces her toughest task yet here today, dropping back to a trip that isn’t sure to suit. A very interesting contender for the champion trainer but may be tapped for toe up the home straight today.

5 THEATRE TERRITORY – Useful in bumpers and won an ordinary maiden contest at Uttoxeter earlier this month with the minimum of fuss, only needing to be pushed out by Sam Waley-Cohen. He clearly has something to find with Dusky Legend, and their form can loosely be tied together with La Bag Au Roi, as Nicky Henderson’s mare was also beaten by that horse in bumpers. She should surely have much more to give considering that was her hurdling debut and seasonal reappearance, but may just struggle today to pin back a rival today.

6 WESTERBEE – Has shown minor form in the contest of this race including winning a novices’ hurdle at Lingfield last month (2m, Soft). Unseated on her latest start at Fontwell and has a lot do in this sort of company today.