3.30pm Taunton Tips & Betting Preview 30/12/2016

9 handicap chasers go to post for the penultimate race of the day at Taunton, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Although its risky, it may be worth taking a chance on ABRACADABRA SIVOLA who is on his last winning mark and although he hasn’t completed the last twice, there is hope he can make amends as he has shown good form in the context of this race previously including his all the way win at Leicester three starts ago. Obvious dangers will be Kerrow and Boa Island who are closely matched on their previous meeting, with marginal preference for the latter in terms of placings.

1 TINKER TIME – Seems high in the weights at present but has run well the last twice, finishing 2nd at Ascot behind an improver in November (2m 7f, Good to Soft) and then last of three on his latest start with the trip an excuse. Will run his race but unlikely to be challenging for anything other than places today.

2 MINELLACELEBRATION – Good jumper but the 7lb rise handed to him after winning at Aintree in October (3m, Good) seems to have halted his progress, falling when last seen at Cartmel a few weeks ago. Clearly struggling with his current weight and probably best watched today.

3 BOA ISLAND – Bold jumper who has won two of his previous four chases, and jumped very exuberantly when a good 3rd at Chepstow on his latest start (2m 7f, Good). Had Kerrow in behind that day and off the same mark he can confirm placings with that rival and has to be considered a main danger today.

4 BY THE BOARDWALK – Clearly likes the surface a bit firmer and was a good 2nd at Ludlow on his latest start (3m 1f, Good), just being out stayed by Moss On The Mill on that occasion. The slight drop back in trip will help and may well turn the tables on that rival today, but will need to show a bit more to be considered for win purposes.

5 KERROW – Didn’t hang about over hurdles, winning on his handicap debut at Aintree (3m, Good) and immediately switched to fences. Finished a good 6th on his chase debut only a few lengths behind Boa Island and has a good chance to reverse that form today with lots of improvement likely, so has to be considered.

6 SILVER COMMANDER – Has been a mixed bag over fences, and returned from a long absence with a poor 8th of 10 at Exeter (3m, Good). Should be capable of better but is too much of a risk today.

7 ABRACADABRA SIVOLA – A risky proposition with him unable to complete his last two starts, but he is however on his last winning mark which came three starts back at Leicester (2m 6f, Heavy). The ground wont be a problem and there is hope that he can make amends today with him having good previous form in the context of this race, so is worth a go today for David Pipe and David Noonan, who takes off a handy 3lb.

8 MOSS ON THE MILL – Out stayed By The Boardwalk at Ludlow on his penultimate start at Ludlow (3m 1f, Good) but flopped when 5th and all but tailed off here a few weeks ago (2m 7f, Good). Needs to bounce back and may just struggle with a few of these today.

9 CLOUDY BOB – Would have a good chance on the best of his form this year, including a good win at Kempton back in March (3m, Good), but has been a mixed bag since then. Hard to trust when he’s pulled up three times in his past four starts, but could be a place contender if rejuvenating himself.

10 BALLYCOE – Won three times in April at the 2m 4f trip, but has struggled the last twice off his revised mark and by no means is assured to stay. He has won at 2m 7f in the past (on debut) but hasn’t managed to since in four other efforts, so is a risky candidate today.