Timeform UK SmartPlays: Thursday December 13

The opening contest looks competitive in terms of numbers, with sixteen set to go to post, but not many are open to the same amount of improvement as David Pipe's recent recruit, Guess Again. Formerly trained by Ferdy Murphy, Guess Again shaped well on a couple of occasions during his novice campaign, winning on his final start at Hexham, and looks to be starting his life in handicaps on a fair mark. When you consider today's step up in trip as well as the change in stable could also elicit some improvement, Guess Again looks to have an extremely strong chance.

Willoughby Hedge made an encouraging start over hurdles at Exeter, chasing home a couple of useful sorts last month, and, with the benefit of that initial effort behind him, he should take a bit of beating in the 14:20. The Alan King-trained five-year-old had hinted at promise in bumpers, but he was always likely to be seen to better effect when his stamina was drawn out and this three-mile event gives him a decent opportunity to get off the mark.

The Caroline Keevil-trained Marshal Zhukov shaped better than the bare result would indicate at Ascot last time and he is taken to register success in the two-mile handicap chase at 15:20. In hindsight, James Best kicked on too far out at Ascot last time, leaving his mount vulnerable in the closing stages, and he should benefit from being ridden with greater restraint here. A strong-traveller and a bold jumper, Marshal Zhukov should have few problems dropping back in trip and this progressive young chaser is taken to confirm the positive impression he has created this year.

Recommended Bets:
All at Taunton

Back Guess Again @ 4.3100/30 in the 12:50
Back Willoughby Hedge @ 3.39/4 in the 14:20
Back Marshal Zhukov @ 3.55/2 in the 15:20 

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