A bumper crowd enjoyed the sunshine and entertaining afternoon of racing at Taunton as the Dragonbet “Roar Before” Raceday provided an ideal curtain-raiser ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, writes Martin Higgs.
Proceedings began with the EBF Junior National Hunt Hurdle, where Mecene delivered a commanding performance for trainer Jane Williams.
Ridden confidently by Ciaran Gethings, the progressive gelding travelled smoothly before asserting in the closing stages to win convincingly.
Mecene looks a likeable type who should continue to improve as he steps up in distance and eventually tackles fences.
The Dragonbet The Roar Before BOG @ Cheltenham Maiden Hurdle went to Way Of Stars under Jack Tudor.
Trained by David Pipe, the gelding had been narrowly beaten by a neck on his previous appearance at the track but showed improvement to go one better this time.
The victory was also a milestone for owners Jopla Racing, who celebrated their first winner.
Race three, the Dragonbet The Roar Before Cheltenham Infernoboosts Handicap Hurdle, saw Knight Templar score for trainer Robert Stephens under Sean Houlihan.
The versatile runner returned successfully from the Flat to land the competitive contest.
Houlihan was back in the winner’s enclosure again in the Dragonbet The Roar Before Cheltenham Dragonboosts Handicap Chase, guiding Kap Vert to victory for trainers Philip Hobbs and Johnson White.
Despite being hampered during the race, the pair recovered well before staying on strongly to win by just under two lengths.
It marked Kap Vert’s second win of the season at Taunton; could he make it three before the end of the season? Watch this space.
The Dragonbet The Roar Before Cheltenham Welcome Offer Handicap Hurdle went to Walkinthepresent under Dylan Johnston for trainer Neil Mulholland and owner Jane Gerard-Pearse.
The gelding stayed on well in the closing stages and could well continue to improve.
One of the most exciting finishes of the afternoon came in the Dragonbet Safer Gambling Tools No Roar Tonight Chase, where three runners jumped the final fence almost together.
Applicationofcash found most on the run-in under Rian Corcoran, registering both the horse’s first victory and the first win under rules for trainer Gordon Treacy.
The finale saw Henry Moore ride Taritino to victory in the Dragonbet Before The Roar Daily Faller Insurance Hurdle.
It was the jockey’s first winner under rules, making the success particularly special.
The horse is owned by Alan Smith of Duckhaven Stud (pictured with his daughter), who fondly recalled how he used to skip school as a boy and jump the hedge to watch racing at Taunton just after the war—only to return to school the following day and be called into the headmaster’s office for suitable punishment after being spotted at the track by the headmaster himself!
With the paper being published on Thursday, it offers the chance to highlight a few selections for the final two days of the Cheltenham Festival.
On Thursday, Kingston Queen appeals each-way in the opening race for Wellington trainer David Pipe, while Paul Nicholls’ Regent’s Stroll looks a strong contender in the Jack Richards Chase.
The Stayers’ Hurdle is another fascinating contest and Emma Lavelle’s progressive Ma Shantou could run a big race, with the trainer having enjoyed previous success in the race with Paisley Park.
Looking ahead to Gold Cup day, Minella Study could be underestimated in the Triumph Hurdle, while Dinoblue looks a banker in the Mares’ Chase.
Doctor Steinberg is the one for the Albert Bartlett, and in the Gold Cup itself, it may come down to either Haiti Couleurs or The Jukebox Man.
An easy game, isn’t it?
If only it were that simple.
Have a great 'Chelters', everyone.
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