LiveScore Racing Preview: Wincanton, November 18, 2021

There is some decent action ahead for racing fans on Thursday, including a seven-race card from Wincanton. 

Conditions are set to be 'Good-good to soft in places' on the hurdle course as they race from 12.45pm until 3.50pm at the Somerset circuit and we have picked out five horses to follow on the card. 

1.15pm - Lenny Roberts Memorial Trophy Novices' Hurdle (2m5½f)

The opener looks a rather tricky four-runner Mares' Novices Chase and so we come straight to race two. 

There are some promising sorts engaged in this novices' race over timber, with recent C&D winner Grosvenor Court amongst them for Alan King. 

He does though have a 7lb penalty to contend with and both Earth Lord and ATAKAN are worthy adversaries. 

The latter shaped nicely in last month's Carlisle bow on soft ground and promises to be suited at this slightly longer trip. 

If he improves, he is a player for Colin Tizzard and Brendan Powell. 

LiveScore selection: Atakan 

1.45pm - Watch On Racing TV Mares' Maiden Hurdle (1m7f)

Puffin Bay has shown enough in two hurdles runs to suggest races will be won with her and this drop back in distance from her Huntingdon fourth has to rate as a positive. 

She sets the standard for Oliver Sherwood.

Alan King's COOL STONE ran well in bumpers at Plumpton and Chepstow last season and is bred to be a jumper. 

She might pose a threat to the standard-setter if taking to this discipline quickly.

LiveScore selection: Cool Stone 

2.15pm - Smith & Williamson Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)

There is the age-old adage of taking the outsider in a three-horse race to consider but this does look a big ask for Thahab Ifraj — likely to fill that role — on paper. 

TIME TO TINKER and Royal Pretender have won their last three between them and Paul Nicholls' charge earns the call here having won in commanding fashion at Taunton last month on his first start post wind surgery. 

He stays this far and represents a trainer with a 30 per cent strike-rate at this, his local course, over the last five years. 

LiveScore selection: Time To Tinker 

3.15pm - Every Race Live On Racing TV Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (1m7½f)

Another nod for the champion trainer here with THYME WHITE. 

He looked to be going places when he cruised to victory on seasonal bow over timber last season at Chepstow (2m, good). 

However, things did not quite work out in four further starts — the final three of them coming in ultra-competitive graded handicaps at Newbury, Cheltenham and Ayr in the spring. 

He has undergone a wind op over the summer and could be set to make a positive start over fences for the Ditcheat team. 

LiveScore selection: Thyme White

3.50pm - Somerset 'Hands And Heels' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Conditional & Amateur Jockeys, 1m7f)

A tricky finale. Recent Stratford winner Norley has claims again from 4lb higher but this does look a stronger race on paper. 

Noble Savage made a promising reappearance at Lingfield under this rider and can be expected to have a say again, while last year's runner-up Majestic Merlin is a contender despite lacking a recent run. 

Robert Walford's mare AMELIA'S DANCE cannot be knocked for consistency lately and last month's Stratford scorer could be set for a second win of the season with promising claimer Eleanor Williams on board for the first time now. 

LiveScore selection: Amelia's Dance