Taunton top racing tips (1650): Gyllen eyes up four-timer as Battle March looks to defy outsider odds

16:50 Taunton: Free Racing on Monday 11th March Handicap Hurdle (2 miles 2 furlongs)

Three of the 16 starters turn up fresh from last-time-out success, with Stanley Pincombe winning nicely at Plumpton in November, while Commanding View won on handicap debut at the same venue seven weeks ago.

They must be respected, but pick of the market’s leading trip is Kayley Woollacott’s Gyllen, who kicked off his career by winning four of his first six outings on the Flat before being tried over obstacles three years ago.

Ten winless hurdling efforts under Mitchell Hunt suggested Gyllen was unsuited in this sphere, but since moving to Wollacott’s yard, the nine-year-old has found his jumping mojo, winning twice at this venue (including over this trip) before Christmas, before completing his hat-trick at Sandown last time out 11 days ago.

Suggested best bet: Gyllen in the 16:50 at Taunton

• Tip advised by HorsesTips on Tipstrr

The last two successes were under in-form Harry Cobden, who teams up again fresh from Sunday’s four-timer for Paul Nicholls at Musselburgh as he gains ground on Sean Bowen in the race for the Champion Jockey title.

Away from the market principals, five places are readily available and that gives the remaining 13 starters plenty to aim for, and Tipstrr each-way aficionado Richard Hutchinson is never afraid to stick his neck out in his search for top each-way value.

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He has his discerning eye for value on Chris Down’s seven-year-old Battle March, who made early progress in his maidens, and a bright future beckoned when he won at his third attempt over hurdles, postmarking 96 on fast ground.

However, his progress stalled as he needed 445 days off directly after that win, and then only managed two outings this time last year before pulling up on the second run ahead of another 10-month absence.

He came back in December at Exeter, the venue of his earlier win, and ran with distinct promise to make headway from the rear to challenge the leaders coming into the home straight, before blatantly blowing up and being eased out of the contest. 

That performance can be upgraded as it was on unsuitable soft ground, and with a pipe-opener under his belt and a return to a faster surface, we could see a revival, especially off a mark of just 84, 16lbs better off than for his post-win outing.

He does have to beat the in-form Gyllen, who has rattled up a hat-trick and could still be progressing, so an interesting option might be to reverse forecast Battle March with Gyllen, which should cover both bases at hefty odds.

Outsider punt: Battle March each-way in the 16:50 at Taunton

• Tip and analysis provided by Richard Hutchinson, who runs his Read Between The Lines service on Tipstrr

 

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