Tips for Thursday's Taunton races and highlights at Aintree

It’s Family Fun Day and there will be lots of activities for the children, as well as a parade and a "meet & greet" of ex-racehorses Frodon and Black Corton early in the afternoon.

The first race of the day is a Novices’ Hurdle and Minella Yoga sets the standard on paper.

It will not be plain sailing for the Paul Nicholls-trained four-year-old, as Lau And Shaz and Secret Sniper have some solid form.

However, I have harped on all season about supporting Nicholls’ runners in maiden and novice hurdles at Taunton, so why should I stop now?

The next race up is the C&D South West Novices’ Hurdle. Six go to post and Noble Blue heads up the weights.

He is ultra-consistent and a prolific winning point-to-pointer.

He has been second on his last two runs under rules and surely it is only a matter of time before he secures his first hurdle win.

With Josh Newman claiming 5lb off his back, this could be the time to jump on board.

A Mares Handicap Hurdle comes next.

Little Venice won last time, having given up many lengths at the start due to being reluctant to race.

If she jumps off, she’ll be hard to beat.

However, with nine runners, I’m going down the each-way route with Miracles Do Happen.

Wearing the hood and a tongue-tie for the first time may have the desired effect.

Time for the first chase of the afternoon, sponsored by the Stables Business Park.

Run over three and a half miles, it is for a specialist, and look no further than Anytrixwilldo, who won the race last year and is only 3lb higher in the handicap.

The Christian Williams-trained Always Busy looks the main danger to the selection.

Four runners go to post for the Stag Environmental Polaris Exmoor Devon Somerset Hurdle.

Inferno Sacree was a course-and-distance winner under Murray Dodd in February.

He’s won again since and is looking for a hat-trick.

I, for one, will not be opposing him in this form.

Time for the final chase of the day, the Mike's 70th Birthday Celebration Handicap.

School For Scandal is a real star and loves Taunton; he’ll be prominent under Callum Hutchinson.

However, I have a hunch for Gata Ban, who is running for the second time after a wind operation and is very well handicapped.

Good claimer Bradley Harris takes 3lb off the horse’s back and with eight runners, he looks a strong each-way bet.

McGregors Charm is also worth a look, having his first run for Kayley Woollacott.

The day finishes with a National Hunt Flat race and with very little to go on the four-year-old debu­tante Lost In The Dream catches the eye on breeding.

He’ll do for me.

As mentioned in last week’s column, Aintree is also on this week, with the Grand National taking centre stage on Saturday.

I mentioned Iroko ante-post in this column months ago and I haven’t changed my mind.

We’ll stick with him and add Johnnywho, who won at Cheltenham last time and is now running for the second time after a wind operation.

Over the three days, I like Montmares in the first race on Friday, and Aintree looks the perfect track for Sober Glory later that day.

So there you have it, colours nailed to the mast with no hiding place… will it be beef or beans for lunch on Sunday?

If you fancy going to Taunton on Thursday, tickets are available at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk as well as on the day at the gate.

A courtesy coach service has been arranged for the day, it will depart from outside platform 5 of Taunton Railway Station 90 minutes before the first race time and return half an hour after the start of the last.