Insurrection set to strike at Taunton
Insurrection sets a strong standard in the Farmers Friend Novices' Hurdle at Taunton for Paul Nicholls.
The seven-year-old comfortably accounted for a highly regarded rival in Diamond Ri at Exeter in November, in a race the stable has won with some decent types in the past.
He then travelled strongly for a long way in a Grade 2 contest at Sandown before just being outstayed late on by Deafening Silence on bottomless ground.
This seems like an ideal opportunity for Insurrection to gain another confidence-boosting triumph prior to stepping back up in class again.
Goonhilly can gain a deserved first success in the first division of the Blackdown Motor Company Maiden Hurdle following several encouraging efforts.
Dan Skelton's gelding gave previous winner Norman Fletcher a good test at Aintree last time out and was fully 35 lengths clear of the third on that occasion.
Dr T J Eckleburg's jumping let him down a bit on his latest start, but an improved round of fencing would put him in the mix for the Major Denis Burton Royal Welsh Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase.
Evan Williams' runner has hit a patch of form this term, winning two of his last five runs and placing on the three other occasions, most recently when beaten into second at Ludlow before Christmas. He ran well enough to be held by just under two lengths in what was a better calibre of race than this, so a repeat of that effort could well be good enough.
Newcastle's all-weather card kicks off with the BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap and Balqaa is of interest.
Stella Barclay's charge disappointed at this venue on his last outing in early November when never recovering from a tardy start under Paul Mulrennan. However, she had previously put in a few encouraging efforts and Mulrennan has been a notable jockey booking in the past.
His two past rides resulted in a comfortable course-and-distance success back in September 2022 and a solid second to well-backed favourite Ri Na Farraige over the track and trip last February.
Mattella will take some beating in the BetUK. It's Where The UK Bets Restricted Novice Stakes on the promise she has shown so far. The five-year-old mare made a belated start to her racing career at this venue in November when outrunning odds of 40-1 to go down by just a nose.
Tim Easterby's charge was a beaten favourite when bidding to go one better at Southwell but may have caught a tartar in impressive debut scorer Juicy and is worth sticking with.
Likeashadow has continued to run with credit since landing an autumn double at Gosforth Park and gets the nod in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap, with a drop back down to 1400m expected to suit. –