A bumper crowd attended our William Hill Race Day on Monday at Taunton and enjoyed some great racing with plenty of runners.

It all started with a win for Dodger Long under an inspired Harry Cobden. The horse took a while to warm to his task, but the rider’s patience paid off as he made strong headway in the second half of the race to lead in the final 100 yards and win going away. He will continue to mature and improve and is definitely one for the notebook..

This was followed by Just One Surf under James Bowen winning the Maiden hurdle at the rewarding odds of 40/1, the jockey is in great form and well worth keeping on the right side of. Tintintin and Jack Hogan for team Fergal O’Brien took the next, he is a likeable grey who enjoyed the track and being only five years old should continue to progress.

Our feature race was the William Hill Epic Boost Handicap Chase over an extended three and a half miles. The Paul Nicholls trained Broken Halo brought up a double for Harry Cobden and enhanced the winner trainer/jockey stat of 31% at the track.

The William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Hurdle was taken by Lady Balko (pictured) and Jack Tudor for the David Pipe stable. She made it a hat-trick of wins, having won at recently as 20 days ago at Taunton. It looked easier here than it did last time and she is clearly improving. She is owned by the ‘Micro Managers’ and their enthusiasm for her and the sport is infectious, well done to all and enjoy the journey.

Tonto Foley and Ellis Collier were next in the Winners Enclosure for trainer Christian Williams and owners Encore Racing in a thrilling two mile chase. He was followed by Just Go For It in the last race of the day who lived up to his name at the rewarding odds of 9/1 under Sean Houlihan. 

It was an excellent start to Cheltenham week; we return on the 26th March with the RNLI charity meeting and early bird discounted tickets for only £15pp can be purchased at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk

Cheltenham update - Get In Corbetts Cross ! and onto Thursday with some cash in the bank..I am firmly on the side of Ginny’s Destiny in the 1:30 and Crebilly at 4:10, I will then be looking to Readin Tommy Wrong on Friday at 2:50 to finish the week in profit, easy game isn’t it!

If you are looking at the Gold Cup what’s wrong with Bravemansgame each way at 14/1, that has to be better value than the favourite Galopin Des Champs at 5/4!