The Punt Daily: James Stevens' free horse racing tips for Wincanton on Thursday

BANKER

Velasco (3.15 Wincanton)

A look back to a race at Taunton on December 30 appears to hold the key to this novice handicap chase and I hope that form will be confirmed here. Velasco finished a good second and three lengths ahead of Pennyforapound but will now have to give that rival 4lb this time. The selection struck as one who ran better than the form suggested, he made a significant blunder early on and almost came to a complete stop but managed to get back into contention and eased into the lead two out before just losing the battle after the last. That was a fine run and the fact he was still keeping on at the line is encouraging as he goes up in trip by two furlongs. He was only beaten a length and a quarter and the handicapper clearly rated him thinking he may well have won. The hood helped him bounce back to form that day and is kept on here, while Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard also appear in good form too. There is plenty to like and hopefully he can make amends.

EACH-WAY PLAY

Midnight Midge (2.45 Wincanton)

There are question marks over a few of the leading contenders in the betting here but course form can be handy at Wincanton and that bodes well for Midnight Midge. Chris Down's runner has won twice here and shaped particularly well on comeback in November. He looked the most likely winner in the straight but made mistakes at the last two and his chance went for good when the saddle slipped after the last. He was tussling up the Exeter straight on his next start too but similarly a final-fence error cost him. Everything went wrong when we last saw him but he has bounced back from poor runs before – oddly enough the last time he finished last he won next time at 25-1. Back down on the same mark as Exeter, he clearly appears handicapped to win, will the handle ground and is already proven over the course and distance.

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