UK Racing Tips – Sunday 16 April 2023

WINCANTON

Race 2 -THE BOMBER LISTON

THE BOMBER LISTON can return to winning ways in the second here at Wincanton.

Nicky Henderson’s runner has proved a little frustrating to follow in his nine-race career so far, with a solitary victory supplemented by five placed finishes, including a couple of nose defeats.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old shaped with some encouragement when fourth on his first start of the current campaign at Kempton on Boxing Day, but was pulled up at Huntingdon the following month.

However, a return to Kempton yielded a return to form on his latest appearance, giving a bold sight in front for a long way before being ruled in by a decent sort in Outlaw Peter.

Raised only a pound for that effort, The Bomber Liston looks well placed to go one better.

Race 6 -OBEY THE RULES 4/1

OBEY THE RULES is backed to make the long journey from Malpas to Wincanton pay dividends with victory in this handicap chase.

Trainer Donald McCain has sent just 21 previous runners to the Somerset venue and seven have returned victorious, equating to a very healthy strike-rate of 33 per cent.

Obey The Rules makes the near 400-mile round trip alone this weekend, suggesting connections are confident he can pay for the diesel and then some.

The eight-year-old has enjoyed a productive campaign so far, winning at Market Rasen and Leicester as well as being placed on four occasions.

Given his charge is a proven good ground performer, McCain has sensibly given him a break since his Leicester success in early December, form which has worked out well with the runner-up Legendary Rhythm winning twice since.

Obey The Rules must contend with a 3lb rise in the weights, but as long as conditions do not deteriorate he looks sure to give a bold showing in the hands of Theo Gillard.

Race 7 –  MEATLOAF 5/4

The Paul Nicholls-trained MEATLOAF ought to make the most of having his sights lowered in division in our final Wincanton selection for the day.

A winner over the course and distance in December, the four-year-old was beaten just half a length in a Listed event at Cheltenham next time before finishing a slightly underwhelming fifth at Newbury.

He has far less on his plate at this level, though, and can round off his season with another win before being prepared for a novice hurdling campaign next term.

HUNTINGDON

Race 4 -MATTERHORN 11/8

Nicholls might also be among the winners at Huntingdon, with MATTERHORN of clear interest in this novices’ hurdle.

The five-year-old was placed in a Listed hurdle at Auteuil during his days in France, so it was undoubtedly disappointing to see him pulled up in heavy ground on his British debut at Sandown.

The fact he was wearing a tongue-tie that day suggested Nicholls had doubts about his wind and he underwent wind surgery before his second start on these shores at Taunton last month.

Whether it was the wind operation or the better ground or a combination of both, Matterhorn proved a completely different proposition as he put his rivals to the sword with a 13-length verdict.

He should be capable of defying a penalty before being tested at a higher level in due course.

Race 6 – DROP HIM IN 2/1

DROP HIM IN is fancied to make it back-to-back course and distance wins in the sixth at Huntingdon today.

Olly Murphy’s point-to-point graduate looked to improve for the step up to just shy of three miles three weeks ago, with a dominant success prompting the handicapper to hand him an 8lb rise.

That considerably hike is partly offset by the 5lb claim of talented conditional Lewis Stones, though, and he should prove hard to beat in his bid to follow up.