Alan Kelly's Horse Racing Tips for Taunton & Ludlow on Thursday

The meetings at Taunton and Ludlow provide the jumps action in Britain on Thursday afternoon along with Clonmel’s seven-race card in Ireland. Today’s Horse Racing tips, previews and predictions feature two races from the Somerset racecourse and one from the Shropshire market town.

Our Ludlow Horse Racing tip comes in the 3m Forbra Gold Cup at 3.00pm. While over at Taunton our selections run in the opening 2m 3f handicap hurdle at 2.08pm and at 4.08pm the 3m UK Gun Repairs Handicap Hurdle.

“Tip of the Day” – Money Spinner – 4.08pm Taunton

On his second run in a handicap, and with a better round of jumping, Philip Hobbs’ unexposed hurdler should take plenty of beating in this Class 4 contest off a mark of only 90.

Adherence (Longshot) – 2.08pm Taunton

Trainer Christian Williams can do little wrong at the moment. After landing a big-race double last weekend the handler’s unexposed Duneomeno is likely to prove popular in this handicap hurdle towards the bottom of the weights.

The grey six-year-old showed nothing in three races over the smaller obstacles prior to making a winning debut over fences just over a week ago. Reverting back to hurdles, it is hard to know what to expect from Jack Tudor’s mount who could easily prove much better than his current mark.

Iberio and Novus Aditus have both posted recent wins on the course and should go well again. But at a big price, it could be worth taking a chance on Adherence who will be having his first start for trainer Bernard Llewellyn. The mount of Ben Jones has recorded two victories on the course, off marks of 98 and 100 and while unplaced in both of his runs this season, the son of Sir Percy ran well for a long way on both occasions and could well outrun his odds.

Head To The Stars (Next Best) – 3.00pm Ludlow

A poor turnout for the race named in honour of 1932 Grand National winner Forbra but an interesting contest all the same. The Tom George-trained Java Point has done well over fences this season, winning on this course in January prior to finishing third in a decent novices’ handicap chase at Cheltenham.

No Getaway from the Dan Skelton stable wasn’t beaten far at Wetherby on his most recent start and is capable of winning a race of this nature. But this looks a good opportunity for course specialist Head To The Stars to record a fourth victory on the track.

The veteran 11-year-old won two races over today’s course and distance last year, both on good to soft ground, the most recent when coming home by a comfortable three lengths just before Christmas. The mount of regular 3lb claiming rider Hugh Nugent will be racing off a mark only 3lb higher and on a track that clearly suits looks sure to put up another bold show.

Money Spinner (NAP) – 4.08pm Taunton

The two most interesting runners in this Class 4 handicap hurdle are a couple of unexposed contenders in the Alan King-trained Rideau Canal and Money Spinner from the stable of Philip Hobbs.

The former makes his handicap debut on an opening mark of 101 following three runs in novice hurdles. But in receipt of 11lb from his rival, the latter looks much better handicapped after a promising first run in a handicap at Bangor last month.

The mount of Tom O’Brien was beaten three lengths in third place and would have finished much closer but for some sloppy jumping towards the end of the race. For a horse who can only improve upon what he has achieved so far, a mark of 90 looks more than fair.

Due to run at Wincanton on Wednesday, Smoking Pigeon is the other one to consider if allowed to take his chance.

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