SBC News launches new Horse Racing Tipster Competition

SBC News is pleased to announce a brand new Horse Racing Tipster feature for its online readers!

We will be taking on BettingExpert, Timeform and a rotation of guest tipsters every week, with the focus on a specific race meet EVERY WEDNESDAY!

• Throughout the year we will keep record of points won each week, points won on average and points won overall for each tipster.
• The guest tipsters will compete as one, with their points added together as one leaderboard entry.
• The new tips will be published on Wednesday ahead of the chosen race meet, and the results will be available from Thursday morning.
• For the purpose of the competition, we will assume that all selections are backed with 1 point.
• Lost tips will count as 0 and won bets will be added to the leaderboard at SP value.
• For example if Betting Expert backs a winning horse at 8/1, they will get 8 points.

Today we are at Taunton for a full card of 7 races. Our guest tipster for the week is Russ Yershon, Head of UK Sportsbook for Titanbet. Here is the full list of selections from our tipsters, complete with a quick explanation:

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1.10

SBC News: Petite Power

Petite Power came 2nd on his hurdling debut back on December 9th. Jockey Gavin Sheehan won’t be too far away from winning this one.

BettingExpert: Churchtown Champ

Dan Skelton has found a good opening here for this maiden, and he seems sure to go close if none the worse from a nasty fall last time out.

Timeform: Petite Power

Petite Power performed above expectations when runner-up on his hurdling debut at Leicester, but there was no fluke about his performance that day and the longer trip should suit here.

Titanbet: Petite Power

Petite Power turned in an improved performance when runner-up over 2m4f on testing ground at Leicester last time out and is expected to take another step forward here. Say My Name has strong claims if running to his official rating, though he is fitted with first-time cheekpieces as he bids to bounce back from a flat effort at Ascot.

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1.40

SBC News: Rolling Dylan

Rolling Dylan should be well suited to this distance; the heavy favourite for the race for a reason.

BettingExpert: Rolling Dylan

Phillip Hobbs has his team in great form and this scopeysort created a big impression when winning 41 days ago.

Timeform: Rolling Dylan

Rolling Dylan and Morthanalegend boast comparable winning bumper form, and though the latter has experience over obstacles, the former is bred to excel granted this sort of test (stoutly bred) so is marginally preferred.

Titanbet: Morthanalegend

Morthanalegend landed a bumper at Worcester last summer and has improved in between his two hurdles spins subsequently, most recently landing minor money over 2m1f at Exeter. He narrowly shades the vote ahead of Rolling Dylan, who stuck in a Wincanton bumper on his first start under Rules last month.

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2.10

SBC News: Lift the Lid

The favourite Grand Introduction is yet to show best form at this distance. Low quality field so taking a chance on Lift the Lid.

BettingExpert: Lift the Lid

Neil Mulholland’s lightly raced 6yo might be more of a handicap project, but this division looks the weaker one and he will go well if repeating his previous third.

Timeform: Grand Introduction

Grand Introduction was much improved on his second start over hurdles at Southwell last month, and though he takes a significant drop in trip now, a repeat of that effort should suffice here.

Titanbet: Lift the Lid

Lift the Lid shaped with promise in two bumper spins, and although he was soundly beaten on his hurdles debut at Exeter last time, it is hoped he’ll come on appreciably for that experience. Stop The Press was well held on his racecourse bow at Wincanton but will be hoping to fare better now debuting over obstacles.

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2.40

SBC News: Top Wood

Looked the likely winner at Chepstow recently before losing out to Tour Des Champs. Should make amends in the feature race at Taunton.

BettingExpert: Easter Day

Paul Nicholls has struggled to find the key to this one time classy performer, but this does look like a drop in grade and perhaps a spin over hurdles last time might have sharpened him up.

Timeform: Top Wood

Top Wood shaped best when runner-up at Chepstow on his reappearance last month (subsequent Welsh National second Firebird Flyer back in third), and he can go one better having been raised only 3 lb.

Titanbet: Top Wood

Top Wood lost little in defeat when runner-up over the extended 2m7f at Chepstow on his seasonal reappearance and is expected to remain competitive, with the benefit of that blow-out behind him, following a 3lb rise.

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3.10

SBC News: Pull The Chord

Beat Sirop de Menthe by four and a half lengths to win at Exeter on last outing. Looks well set to win again.

BettingExpert: Ascendant

Johnny Farrelly has a good record at this track, and a lesser effort last time can perhaps be put down to the “bounce” effect on his second run of the season. His previous placed effort has worked out well, and the testing ground holds no terrors.

Timeform: Pull The Chord

Last year’s winner Pull The Chord took his form to a new level when adding to his tally on November’s reappearance at Exeter, so his inflated mark on his repeat bid is fully justified and likely within his compass.

Titanbet: Pull The Chord

Pull the Chord makes plenty of appeal for an in-form stable on the back of a taking Exeter triumph in November. Easily exploiting 10lb lower that day, the C&D winner is entitled to have come forward for that outing and is open to further improvement after just the five starts over hurdles.

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3.40

SBC News: Join Together

A smart chaser who never quite fulfilled its promise. Pearlysteps will be a popular pick and should push him close.

BettingExpert: Pearlysteps

Classy hunter has everything in his favour to go close if he retains most of his former ability.

Timeform: Chance du Roy

Chance du Roy could prove too good for his rivals if ready to go on his reappearance and the fact he’s won fresh in the past bodes well.

Titanbet: Chance du Roy

Chance du Roy hasn’t been seen since finishing a creditable 10th in the Grand National last April but boasts a decent record when fresh and could be a class above these rivals on his hunters’ chase debut. Sixth in the Aintree marathon two seasons ago, the son of Morespeed won the Grade 3 Becher Chase on his seasonal bow at the Liverpool circuit that term and the ground was fairly deep.

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4.10

SBC News: Olympian Boy

Could be a more likely each way winner, but we’re taking a punt on Olympian Boy who could be a threat on the heavy ground.

BettingExpert: Brise Coeur

Nick Williams and Lizzie Kelly have teamed up with great success already this season, and this unexposed sort has shown glimmers of promise to suggest this mark might be on the generous side.

Timeform: Brise Coeur

Brise Coeur was well supported on his handicap debut at Warwick last time, so obviously better was expected, and this lightly-raced gelding may be worth another chance down in trip with conditions to suit.

Titanbet: Brise Coeur

Brise Coeur is an interesting Nick Williams representative going handicapping for just the second time and dropping back in trip. Not without his supporters on his handicap debut at Warwick last month, he didn’t seem to get home over 2m5f under a positive Lizzie Kelly ride that day but has been dropped 2lb in the weights and is well worth another look dropping in both distance and grade.

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Follow the results of these tips throughout the Taunton race meet, or return to SBC News tomorrow to see how our tipsters got on.