Racing comes thick and fast at Taunton in January and they were one of the lucky tracks to survive the recent ‘mini freeze’ and race last week, writes Martin Higgs.
Highlights of the day included Calvino winning the Novices’ Hurdle.
He won his bumper at the track in April last year and despite showing plenty of inexperience, he secured a second victory at the track on Thursday and will only improve with racing.
His trainer, Paul Nicholls, completed a double on the day with Brave Knight.
There was plenty of other West Country success, with Anthony Honeyball taking the Maiden Hurdle with Crest Of Stars, Sherborne trainer Daisy Hitchins winning with Broomfield Gale, and Joe Tickle continuing his excellent course form when Hypotenus won the two-mile Handicap Chase.
The racecourse now looks forward to its only weekend meeting of the season this Saturday.
The entries are in and the races are well subscribed.
The day starts at 12.55 with the South West Rail Solutions Maiden Hurdle, with Wolf Walker dropping in grade and Alba Crus running for the second time after a wind operation looking interesting.
Next up is the Martin Baker’s 60th Birthday Bash Hurdle.
Twenty-two entries are listed, with October Hill catching the eye for David Pipe.
The mare ran well in the Class 1 Mares’ Listed Hurdle at the New Year’s meeting and will find this much easier on only her second run for the trainer.
Stag Environmental and Polaris are new to the racecourse this year and sponsor the third race.
Can Colonial Empire go one better than his last run at the track, where he was beaten only a head?
The winner, Alright Dai, won again at Fontwell last weekend, so the form has been franked.
The first chase of the afternoon is the Gaynor Carr Memorial, and Hypotenus could return quickly after his win at the last meeting.
If he does, he will surely take all the beating under a penalty.
This race is followed by the £25,000-added Dragonbet Hurdle, the feature race of the afternoon.
Knickerbockerglory could be the answer here for Team Skelton, especially if Harry Atkins rides, utilising his 7lb claim.
The final chase of the afternoon is over 2 miles 7 furlongs, and Anytrixwilldo returns to the track over a shorter trip, which will surely suit.
Joe Tickle has also entered School For Scandal; the front-running grey has won twice at Taunton already and loves it round there.
The last race looks impossible, but let’s take a chance with Bigz Belief to send us all home with a smile on our faces.
As mentioned earlier, this is your only chance to attend Taunton on a weekend, so please make the most of it and come along to enjoy a great afternoon’s sport.
Both Taunton football and rugby are playing away, so there is no excuse - book your early bird discounted tickets at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk or come along for the afternoon and pay on the gate.
A courtesy coach service has even 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.
Share