Taunton Betting Tips
13:30 – Spartan Army
14:05 – Donnie Azoff
14:40 – Art Decco
15:15 – Balko Saint
15:50 – Apple Rock
16:25 – Howyouplaythegame
17:00 – Johnnywho
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
13:30 – Spartan Army
SPARTAN ARMY wasn’t up to the task in the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton last time but this represents a big drop in grade and looks like a good opportunity. He was also found out in Grade 2 company in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow but ran well either side of that, scoring by six lengths on his hurdling debut at Wetherby and then showing better form in defeat when runner-up in a novice at Wincanton. He sets the standard based on that Wincanton effort and looks the one to beat.
14:05 – Donnie Azoff
DONNIE AZOFF didn’t find as much as expected when runner-up at Fontwell last time, but that is still one of the best pieces of form on offer here and he should be suited by this sharper test. He also produced a fair effort when runner-up at Stratford on his return from a long layoff last July and, in a race lacking depth here, this looks like a good chance for him to open his account. He represents Jamie Snowden who has been among the winners of late.
14:40 – Art Decco
ART DECCO failed to beat a rival on his chasing and handicap debut at Worcester in October, but he left that form well behind, improving on what he had shown over hurdles, when runner-up at Uttoxeter, going down by just three-quarters of a length to a subsequent winner from a leading yard. Art Decco backed that up with a creditable third back at Uttoxeter before getting off the mark at Fontwell last time, forging seven lengths clear, albeit in workmanlike style. He remains capable of better as a chaser and will be suited by stepping back up in trip here.
15:15 – Balko Saint
BALKO SAINT struggled on his first few starts over fences this season, but he took a step back in the right direction at Chepstow on his penultimate start and then ran his best race for a while when runner-up at Wincanton, where he probably would have won had he avoided late errors. He reverts to hurdling now and looks worth siding with to take advantage of a favourable mark.
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15:50 – Apple Rock
APPLE ROCK has been better than ever this season and completed the hat-trick over course and distance in December, typically finding plenty for pressure to lead close home. He wasn’t at the top of his game at Ascot last month, but he shaped like a horse that was slightly rusty after a seven-week break and he ought to be sharper for that. This is also a less competitive event and he can resume winning ways.
16:25 – Howyouplaythegame
HOWYOUPLAYTHEGAME showed very little over hurdles but he produced a much more encouraging effort when runner-up on his chasing and handicap debut at Market Rasen last time, finding only another chasing debutant too strong. He’s a chasing type in appearance and demeanour and could still have more to offer over fences off a mark just 1 lb higher than at Market Rasen.
17:00 – Johnnywho
JOHNNYWHO ran out a wide-margin winner of his only start in an Irish point in October 2021, when he had Hermes Allen back in third. As a half-brother to staying chaser Doing Fine, out of another strong stayer in Howaya Pet, Johnnywho looks likely to come into his own over further in time, but he is still a fascinating contender here on his debut under Rules and gets the vote.
Taunton Betting Tips
13:30 – Spartan Army
14:05 – Donnie Azoff
14:40 – Art Decco
15:15 – Balko Saint
15:50 – Apple Rock
16:25 – Howyouplaythegame
17:00 – Johnnywho
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