We raced last Thursday and there was plenty of local success with the Hobbs & White team producing Ballee to win the Novice Hurdle under a fine ride from Micheal Nolan, writes Martin Higgs.

His enthusiastic bunch of owners are certainly enjoying the adventure and he’ll keep improving.

Brompton Regis based trainer Jeremy Scott hit the winner’s spot with Lady KK in the Novices’ Chase and Gyllen (pictured) bolted up for the Kayley Woollacott team and long time racecourse sponsors Stables Business Park, he’s one to follow if turned out again quickly.

Competing with him for the most impressive winner of the afternoon has to be the Owners Group owned William Carver, he’s a good-looking lad who will surely improve for the run having been off the track for over 9 months.

We next race on Thursday 14th December with a seven race card scheduled to start at 12:20. It is our Festive Fixture with Christmas Trade stands and the King’s College Choir in attendance. You can save at least £5pp by purchasing ‘early bird’ tickets on-line at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk.

For those of you looking to use our return courtesy coach service, it will depart from outside platform 5 of Taunton Railway Station 90 minutes before our first race time.

Racing is coming at us thick and fast currently and there is a cracking card at Sandown on Saturday with the Tingle Creek Chase and the re-arranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle. You will likely see the Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill in the latter and the much-heralded Jonbon in the former.

There is also racing at Aintree with the feature Bechers Chase being run over the Grand National fences, Now Where Or When could run well for Ireland. Our ‘one for the weekend’ however runs in the 12:55 and that is Kyntara. This horse won convincingly at Lingfield last time, the potential soft ground will pose no problem and there is no reason to believe he won’t follow up. 

We have been highlighting some horses to follow over the last few weeks and the current list is .. Altobelli (entered at Ascot on Saturday), JPR One (entered at Sandown on Saturday), Danton (won at Exeter last week) and Itseemslikeit.

Time to add another and that is Scamallach Liath, he is trained by Harry Derham and he stayed on strongly over 3 miles to win at Ascot recently. He looks sure to keep improving and still has a bit left in his handicap mark.