13:40 Taunton
Taunton hosts what is a pretty good card today and this race is a competitive two miles and three furlongs mares' handicap hurdle.
Lily Waugh is at the top of the weights for Anthony Honeyball and was a very easy winner last time out at Wincanton over two furlongs further than today's trip. She had tumbled down the weights prior to that race and has an extra seven pounds to contend with today. Mr D G Noonan takes the ride again and his seven pound claim will be more than useful. It will however be a tough enough ask to win this with the extra weight and the shorter distance. She appeared to relish the softer conditions at Wincanton so the drying ground is also a worry.
Lady Of Lamanver for Harry Fry has been really consistent so far without getting her head in front yet. The one time she has tried today's distance so her struggling to go the distance and I think her opening handicap mark of 116 is plenty high enough and could prove too much here today. She is only five so obviously have plenty of potential improvement in her, however it would need to be quite a jump from her last race which was less than two weeks ago.
Popping Along won a couple of hurdle races over the summer but was comfortably beaten into fourth place by over six lengths by Kayf Willow on her latest run at Newton Abbot. She is six pounds better off at the weights this time around but I am not sure that will be enough to reverse placings.
Kayf Willow for Philip Hobbs won well enough last time out at Newton Abbot having previously won a bumper and another hurdles race earlier on this year. She has been raised five pounds for her latest win but Hobbs has been shrewd and has the promising claimer Ciaran Gethings on board today who is claiming seven pounds. Therefore, she is actually two pounds better off today and I think she will take all the stopping. The distance is fine for her and the drying ground is a huge bonus as she doesn't want anything on the soft side. I have a feeling she will be far too good for these today and is a very nice price to do so.
European Championship Play Off - Norway v Hungary
Norway host Hungary in this first leg and on the face of it Norway appear to be the much stronger team. They missed out on automatic qualification by a point to Croatia in a group that also included Italy. Hungary on the other hand finished third in what was a poor group, Romania and Northern Ireland finishing above them.
Norway have a solid side without containing any standout players, although the youngster Martin Odegaard, who is on Real Madrid's books, has the potential to be a star and has already made seven appearances for the full Norway side at only sixteen. To win the match Norway are a stand out best price of 20/21 which represents excellent value in what I think will be a one sided match.
Today's Selections
Taunton 13:40 - Kayf Willow - 2 points @ 3/1 (Bet365)
Norway v Hungary - Norway win - 3 points @ 20/21 (Betfred)