RACELINE: TIP OF THE DAY
Saturday February 16
BUCK MAGIC
Wincanton 2.30 WIN
I am a shade concerned that connections feel the need to reach for blinkers for the first time because in no way is he ungenuine. But everything else points to a return to the winner’s enclosure for one of the rising stable-stars of vastly underrated trainer Neil Mulholland. From carrying bottom weight last time, he shoulders top weight here, which underlines how inferior this contest is to the hot Lanzarote Hurdle in which the seven-year-old finished a highly creditable third four weeks ago. A big, strapping chasing type, he will have no problem with the welter burden of 11-12, nor with the testing ground. Although he is on a mark 13lbs higher than when third the same race last season, talented claimer Michael Byrne, who has won on him before, takes off a handy 3lb, while the gelding is proven round Wincanton.
YESTERDAY: LIBERTY COURT 2ND (6/1)
THURSDAY: DUKE OF NAVAN WON
WEDNESDAY: GOD’S OWN WON
TUESDAY: TAP NIGHT WON
MONDAY: BALDING BANKER FELL
SUNDAY: THE LIQUIDATOR WON
SATURDAY: MA FILLEULE WON
FRIDAY: MASTER MALT 2ND
THURSDAY: PINE CREEK WON
WEDNESDAY: EDUARD WON
TIP OF THE DAY SUPPLIED BY SCOOP RACING (RICHARD SILVERWOOD).