3 minute read

Sam King returns with two selections on Thursday…

Joe Tizzard continues to knock in the winners of late, with eight of his last 27 runners obliging over the last fortnight.

There's little doubt Honey Jack isn't towards the top of the pecking order in his string this year, but that said, he's shown more than enough to suggest he can be very competitive in the Trucksmith Loloader Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Taunton (12.15).

After displaying little in his first four outings, Joe Tizzard's five-year-old posted a much-improved effort when keeping on steadily into fourth on his handicap debut over an extended three miles at Kempton seventeen days ago.

He left the impression that there was plenty more to come that day, still looking in need of the experience when coming under pressure. A 1lb drop in the weights is an added bonus and it wouldn't be at all surprising if this lightly-raced gelding by Jack Hobbs is now ready to get off the mark.

WIN - Honey Jack

Odds – 9/4

We head across the Scottish border for our second wager. Adam Wedge has an eye-catching 43% strike-rate when teaming up with Laura Morgan at Musselburgh and the pair combine with two interesting candidates this afternoon.

Shattered Soldier could outrun his price in the opening novices' hurdle, but it's later on the card where Wild Side Of Life makes the most appeal in the Prince Philip Perpetual Challenge Trophy Handicap Chase (2.45).

Bottomless ground didn't look to be his cup of tea when he was tailed off in a handicap hurdle at Southwell in April and it's unsurprising connections opted to put him away subsequently, clearly with a campaign over fences in mind.

A winner of a three-mile point-to-point on good ground earlier in his career, he was always going to be a horse that would end up chasing and I fully expect him to be well-drilled for his first outing over the larger obstacles.

The form of his runner-up effort behind the now 131-rated Cherie D'Am in a novices' hurdle at Wetherby last November would suggest his current mark of 111 was more than workable.

Market leader Kandor arrives having taken a fall on his first start over fences, while last-time-out winner Cardamon Hill doesn't look particularly well-treated off this revised mark.

There should be improvement to come from Wild Side Of Life and if his jumping holds up over fences, Laura Morgan's charge could represent significant value at a venue she clearly targets.

WIN – Wild Side Of Life

Odds – 11/2