Racegoers enjoyed a competitive and entertaining afternoon at Taunton on St Austell Landlords Raceday last Thursday, with several eye-catching performances across the six-race card.
The opening Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Guide Novices’ Hurdle went to Khafre, who justified his £60,000 price tag with a strong performance under Paddy Hanlon.
Trained by Syd Hosie, the progressive gelding pulled clear to win by three lengths and looks a horse with further potential.
In the St Austell Brewery Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle, Gorcombe And Wise continued his improvement when scoring under Harry Kimber for trainer Robert Walford.
Appreciating the better ground, he shaped as though there is more to come and provided owner Phill Meaden with a thoroughly enjoyable success.
What a great name as well!
The Richard Williams Memorial Chase saw Wheresmemoneygone produce a bold front-running display.
Ridden by Ben Jones for trainer Ben Pauling, the imposing good-looking gelding jumped fluently throughout and drew clear in decisive fashion.
Inferno Sacree followed up with an impressive success in the Weatherbysshop.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.
Stepping up in trip, the Nigel Hawke-trained runner, partnered by Murray Dodd, stayed on powerfully to suggest further wins could be on the horizon for owner Russell Lane.
There was a popular repeat victory in the BoyleSports Cheltenham Bank Builder Jackpot Mares’ Handicap Chase as Ede’iffs Rock successfully defended her crown under Robbie David for trainer Kathy Turner, once again showing her liking for Taunton.
Her owner/breeder Alistair Lees, our Senior Veterinary Officer, has a sibling at home for sale and it didn't take him long to let everyone know at the post-racing debrief along with anyone else in earshot!
The finale was the Dragonbet National Hunt Flat Race and Rices Pool completed a double on the day for both Ben Jones and Ben Pauling.
He won convincingly and is one for your little black ‘horses to follow’ book.
Further success for the West Country came north of the border as Captain Hugo landed Scotland’s richest hurdle, the £120,000 Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso.
Joint-trainer Johnson White faced an eight-hour journey from Somerset, while jockey Sean Houlihan was celebrating his biggest winner for some time.
He weaved his willing mount through the 17-runner field, joined leader Serious Challenge at the final flight and battled on gamely to score by three-quarters of a length.
"It’s a tough race but he travelled everywhere," said Houlihan.
"I could put him in gaps that were opening and his jumping got slicker as we went.
"It was far from certain at the last but he’s tough and has a great attitude."
The winner was purchased by Johnson White’s daughter Molly, who remains a part-owner alongside her godfather Alastair Scrimgeour.
"He wasn’t the most expensive and he’s certainly paid for himself today," said White.
Taunton race again on Monday 9th March. It promises to be a bumper pre-Cheltenham meeting with plenty of runners and a great atmosphere.
If you fancy going along, tickets are available at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk as well as on the day at the gate.
For those of you looking to attend, there is also a courtesy coach service arranged for the day.
It will depart from outside platform 5 of Taunton Railway Station 90 minutes before the first race and return half an hour after the start of the last.
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