Horse racing tips: Dave Nevison’s Ludlow and Taunton picks

Our resident website tipster Dave Nevison has picked Lifetime Legend (9-4F) this week and likes three runners at Taunton and Ludlow on Thursday. Enjoy all the action – plus more from Clonmel and Chelmsford – live on Racing TV.

1.40 Taunton: Can’t Beat History

Only half a dozen of this big field have shown any recent form – or indeed form at all - so Can’t Beat History looks something of an each-way ‘bet to nothing’ with bookies offering extra places.

This lightly-raced seven-year-old ran a good second in a bumper in Ireland last May but then showed very little in three hurdle runs this winter before his run last week. It was all change on handicap debut, where he was ridden up with the pace for the first time and only just failed to overhaul a back-to-form rival who had dictated throughout.

He was backed into 5/2 favourite last time, so the return to form was clearly expected and off the same mark here a good run looks assured over the same trip and on forecast similar ground conditions. He is due to go up 3lb before his next run and he won’t have an opportunity like this for a while.

2.25 Ludlow: Lets Go To Vegas

She’s only had two runs under Rules and looks like she could well be the improver here and might just get the better of some more exposed types in this line-up.

Lets Go To Vegas won on Rules debut at Market Rasen in November and let us know on that occasion that she would not shirk in a finish as she battled on all the way up the home straight and fought back after being headed. Last time she ran a good second to the useful Dan Skelton mare Kateira, who has won again since, which was another creditable effort.

Lets Go To Vegas is likely to improve for the step up to three miles as her pedigree is chock full of staying types and this mark of 110 on handicap debut looks very manageable.

3.35 Ludlow: Kestrel Valley

She is worth risking a small bet here.

Kestrel Valley has been very stale in three runs this season for Matt Sheppard and it is no massive surprise to see Kestrel Valley turn out for another trainer now, and Kerry Lee has potentially taken on a very well-handicapped mare as she is now running at a level 20lb below her hurdles form. Even if she is not as good over fences, she has been placed off marks much higher this current rating of 81.

Kerry Lee has her team in terrific form at present and if the move has perked up Kestrel Valley she could beat this very moderate field very easily. She was well-backed last time so was clearly thought to be fit and well, so it will be interesting to see if there is a market move here.