Wincanton afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Thursday, February 1

Let's begin with some details on our four highlighted selections before giving a full set of tips from Wincanton at the bottom of the page.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

14:15 (Wincanton) Brave Jen

Brave Jen was always likely to find life too tough in the G1 Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury last time in late December.

However, the Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old should take some beating if reproducing the form that saw her go down narrowly in a Listed event at the same venue earlier that month.

Betty's Tiara could be the biggest danger if building on her pleasing hurdling debut second at Hereford four weeks ago although decent bumper performer Larchmont Lass could still come good over hurdles.

Goodtimecrew rounds out the remainder.

 

15:15 (Wincanton) Fire Flyer

Fire Flyer appears to have been found an excellent opportunity to open his account over obstacles in division two of the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle.

The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old won an Ascot bumper on his racecourse debut last season and while he was a little disappointing on his next start at Newbury, he has put together two excellent runs in defeat so far this term.

Fire Flyer was done for a turn of foot by the classy Brechin Castle on his reappearance in Listed company at Cheltenham in November, while there was no disgrace in finishing second to another exciting prospect in subsequent Grade Two winner Gidleigh Park on his hurdling debut at Newbury last month.

He still looked a little inexperienced when push came to shove on the latter occasion and with further improvement likely, the Shantou gelding should prove extremely hard to beat.

 

15:45 (Wincanton) Take Your Time

Nicholls and his title-chasing stable jockey Harry Cobden are also expected to find the target with the hat-trick-seeking Take Your Time in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Chase.

Having seemingly lost his way over the smaller obstacles, a relatively late switch to fences for this recently-turned nine-year-old appears to have turned his career around.

He was good value for the winning margin of half a length when making a successful reappearance and chasing debut at Newton Abbot in October and again showed his liking for testing conditions when following up over this course and distance last month.

An 8lb hike makes life tougher, but Take Your Time is clearly in rude health at the moment and is sure to be bang there at the finish.

 

16:15 (Wincanton) Lalor

Former G1 novice hurdle winner Lalor hasn't been seen since winning a handicap chase at Newbury 670 days ago but he looks like a notable recruit to the hunter chase sphere.

He can get the better of the recent Newbury handicap chase fourth Goose Man, who represents a stable operation at an impressive 36% strike-rate over the last fortnight.

Lieutenant Rocco has his quirks about him but certainly has the ability to play a major role on his hunter chase debut.

Myth Buster completes the shortlist.

 

Wincanton selections in full:

WINCANTON: 1.45 Country Lady, 2.15 Brave Jen, 2.45 Steel Ally, 3.15 Fire Flyer, 3.45 Take Your Time, 4.15 Lakota Warrior, 4.45 I’ve Madeupmymind.