2.20pm Taunton Tips & Betting Preview 20/12/2016

11 novice handicappers go to post for the 4th race of the day at Taunton, a staying chase. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Somerset Lias finally broke his duck when winning here on the 28th attempt latest and should put up another bold bid to follow up, but preference is for CAPTAIN MCGINLEY. He ran well for a long way at Leicester on chase debut latest when unseating the rider and he should have more to give in this sphere with that experience under his belt, so is give the vote today to make amends.

1 SOMERSET LIAS – Not the most consistent of horses but posted a career best latest when finally winning at Taunton latest (2m7f, Good). This step up in trip shouldn’t be an issue and has to be respected, as he has the ground he wants and should make a bold bid to follow up today.

2 SWEETTOOTHTOMMY – Has been very inconsistent over hurdles, finishing a decent enough 3rd on penultimate start at Chepstow, hanging very badly in the closing stages (2m, Good to Soft) and makes chase debut today. Struggled from an early stage on his latest start at Huntington over the smaller obstacles (2m4f, Good to Soft) but should make a better chaser for David Pipe. Hasn’t been persevered with over the smaller obstacles so this probably has been the plan for an early stage and needs to be hugely respected.

3 ST JOHNS POINT – Has the best form over fences which was posted around this time last year, but hasn’t really convinced of late, struggling to beat a rival since a flat 6th at Fontwell back in March (3m1f, Good). Pulled up on 4 starts since then and was tailed off at Wetherby latest (3m, Good to Soft) so can’t be put forward today.

4 CAPTAIN MCGINLEY – Had shown promise at times over hurdles but never the most consistent and badly out of form this year. Was running a good race on chase debut when unseating ride at Leicester earlier this month (2m6f, Firm), and should have more to give over these obstacles with that learning experience under his belt. He’s very interesting now upped in trip also so has to be respected.

5 MONDERON – Decent enough hurdler who ran well to finish 2nd on chase debut at Leicester earlier this month but gave his rider no chance when blundering at the 9th fence at Towcester on his latest start (2m5f, Soft). Still has improvement in him so has to be respected for the inform Fergal O’Brien team.

6 YOU TOO PET – Only raced one in bumpers and hurdles in 2013 and returned this year to go chasing, showing promise when 4th at Leicester in March (2m6f, Heavy) and was a close 2nd at Taunton last time out behind Somerset Lias (2m7f, Good). Meets that rival on better terms today and is very lightly raced, but its had to see him reversing that form and probably has place claims at best today.

7 TYRE HILL – Showed some promise over hurdles back in 2015 but didn’t show much this year in three runs this year, however he was unlucky on chase debut when badly hampered by a faller at Bangor last month (3m, Soft). Had been pushed along for a long way however before that point and probably would have struggled to keep tabs on the leaders that day. Worth a second look but may struggle again today.

8 JACK SNIPE – Had shown some good form over hurdles and goes back chasing today for the first time since a poor effort at Uttoxeter back in July (2m4f, Good). Probably best watched today.

9 TEHRAN CROSS – Only raced 5 times under rules, twice over fences where she fell the first time at Taunton (2m7f, Heavy) but improved on that to finish 3rd at Exeter latest (3m, Good). Still most likely needs more to feature today and best watched.

10 OSCARS WAY – Has lost his way of late, struggling to beat a rival this year and can’t be considered on the back of that.

11 MINMORE GREY – Didn’t show much in Points or over hurdles and hasn’t changed that theme over fences, beating just 2 rivals in his last two races combined. Unlikely to be involved.