3:15 Taunton Tips

Runner-up and a winner in his last 2 races, both over course and distance. Races off 120 today but Chad Bament takes the reins and claims a valuable looking 7 pound allowance.

Walk On High faces his toughest test yet but is on a four-timer off a short break, having won his last three hurdle races. The latest was a handicap hurdle at Plumpton in November, for which he has been raised five pounds.

BREWIN’UPASTORM has been far from disgraced in two outings since returning from a 588-day absence, particularly last time at Aintree when most of the hurdles were dolled off. The handicapper has cut the old boy some respite and this race looks very winnable. Moreover, Sean Bowen also takes over the reigns and seems to like his chances in his blog. Shouldn’t be the rag of the field, top price 12/1. I think Bourbali will be worth a smaller bet at 9/1, I just don't want to tip it up e/w in a 5-runner affair.

BOURBALI has not won in ten starts but has been a model of consistency, finishing out of the first three only twice in that time. His most recent effort saw him finish sixth of ten off a mark of 127. He has been dropped 1 lb below his last winning mark for today, and with a further 7 lbs being taken off by the claiming jockey, he could be well treated. He likes to cut in the ground, and the small field should allow him to employ his usual front-running tactics without being pestered in front. If allowed to dictate, he could be tough to peg back.