Check out Rory Delargy and David Massey's thoughts ahead of today's racing, including two bets at Taunton.
Racing betting tips: Tuesday February 3
1pt win Royal Jewel in the 15:45 Taunton at 9/4 (General, min 2/1)
1pt win Storming Nelson in the 16:15 Taunton at 4/1 (Bet365, min 7/2)
15:15 Taunton – Class 4 (0-120) Handicap Hurdle 2m104y
The going is a bit of an unknown for Premier, but he proved himself on softish turf when 2¾ lengths third of 11 to General Briar in conditionals handicap at Newbury last time, faring best of those held up and looking as if still on the progressive path. That good effort came on the back of a handicap win over C&D on good ground. He remains very fairly handicapped assuming he gets the race run to suit, and while untested on ground softer than yielding, his sire has produced winners on soft and heavy ground, which gives cause for optimism.
The form of Premier’s Newbury run hasn’t been tested, but four of the first five home had won their previous starts and it looks solid form for the grade. I’d expect it to work out well, and Premier deserves credit for being a rare juvenile to beat older horses in such events. If he wins well, he could come into the reckoning for the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, and is a horse to keep onside even if those lofty ambitions prove too much.
15:45 Taunton – Class 3 (0-130) Handicap Chase 2m7f3y
Topweight Brave Kingdom looked very promising at one point but has pulled up on three of four starts after a winning debut over fences at Newbury in December 2023, and it’s surprising to see him risked on heavy ground again, with a breathing operation before his chase debut hinting at physical issues, and he had further wind surgery prior to his reappearance, which hardly bolsters confidence.
Bucksy des Epeires is also struggling for form, and with Venetia Williams having her own annus horribilis, he’s also hard to fancy, making this look fairly straightforward for ROYAL JEWEL, who has form figures on heavy going of 1225313. He was underwhelming on his penultimate start at Exeter, but was quickly back to form when 9 lengths third to Lunar Discovery at Chepstow last time. This looks easier and he needn’t improve to get back to winning ways.
16:15 Taunton
Jaitroplaclasse has the class (pardon the wordplay) here but whether he wants deep ground - even Taunton deep ground, which won't be that deep - is a question mark and I prefer the claims of STORMING NELSON here. I saw him recently at Chepstow where he looked very well beforehand and probably ran his race despite finishing last of five, utterly outclassed behind Stencil. The trip was on the short side for him too, and this looks a much more suitable opportunity.
Preview posted at 09:35 GMT on 03/02/26
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