3.55pm Taunton Tips & Betting Preview 14/03/2016

IN SUMMARY: Masters Hill and Benvolio have experience in much bigger races than this, but poor form has seen them drop down in Class. Good To Know comes in on the back of a win, but this will be the toughest race he has faced so far during his chasing career. CORK CITIZEN (4/1) was unlucky in the Eider and finished well to take second here back in February. Masters Hill is a strong competitor, but is yet to prove he has the staying power for this trip. Cork Citizen could spring a surprise victory.

1 MASTERS HILL – Hasn’t enjoyed the best of seasons since unseating his rider in the Kim Muir at last years festival. Went off as the joint-favourite in November but failed to finish, before being pulled up in the Welsh National when clearly flagging in January. Hasn’t raced in anything lower than a Class 2 since October ’13, so the drop will help, still yet to win over more than 3 miles.

2 BENVOLIO – Lead early on in the Welsh National before tiring quickly and having to be pulled up. Rating has dropped by nine points after a disappointing year, so like Masters Hill, the drop in class may help. This will be the nine year old’s Taunton debut, he’s never won a 3 miler and hasn’t recorded a victory since October ’13.

3 GOOD TO KNOW – Brings the best form into the race, having won his last appearance in a Class 3 at Wetherby over 3 miles. Has been hit with a 14llb rise in rating by the handicappers, so it will be interesting to see how he copes, the high quality opponents dropping back into his Class will make this a very stiff test for the eight year old.

4 BALLYOLIVER – Came third in a Listed race at Ascot in February last year, but has failed to recapture that form since. Rating has dropped 6llbs since then and has struggled to poor finishes in his last three appearances, all at a similar distance and class to this race.

5 LOVCEN – Came back from an 18 months lay-off in November and has only ran twice this season. He was pulled up at Lingfield on his reappearance and finished fifth as a 25/1 shot in a similar race to this on his last outing in December. Was rated at 150 at his peak, well off that mark now, as the big starting price suggests.

6 CORK CITIZEN  – Has only raced twice this season, with both appearances coming in February. He finished second in a six horse field, but stayed on well to hold off some decent horses. Held up early on in the Eider Chase at Newcastle, and in trying to force his way back into the race, unseated his rider when some way behind. Odds suggest he could have a say in this one.

myracing Forecast Prices: 5/2 Masters Hill  10/3 Good To Know  4/1 Benvolio, Cork Citizen  6/1 Ballyoliver  16/1 Lovcen