We held our mid February meeting on Tuesday on a warm afternoon with hazy sunshine was most welcome after the inclement weather we have experienced recently, writes Martin Higgs.

A decent crowd enjoyed a cracking afternoon’s racing and we repeat this next week on Thursday 29th February.

The first race is scheduled for 2.05pm with early bird discounted tickets (only £15) available at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk.

We kicked off with The Blundells Preparatory Racing To School Novices’ Handicap Hurdle and a win for Chankaya under Cameron Isles. The Mitchell Hunt trained 7 year old stayed on well to secure victory by 4 lengths. He was returning over hurdles here and it looks likely there is more improvement to come, judging on this performance over the smaller obstacles.

Next up was the Royal Bath & West Of England Society Maiden Hurdle with Doyen Quest securing the honours under Harry Skelton. The Dan Skelton trained gelding overcame some inexperience to win going away and can only keep improving. He's certainly one for the notebook.

Our third race was the Weatherby nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase and Enjoy Your Life (pictured) enjoyed the drop in grade to win by 4 lengths under Charlie Deutsch for Venetia Williams. That made it 3 wins from 4 runs for the trainer at the track this season in Handicap Chases.

So to our feature race of the afternoon, the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle and a win for the Hobbs & White team with Into The Park (pictured). The horse was backing up his win at Newbury last time with a tenacious effort here to win going away under Micheal Nolan.

He’s surely destined for better things, as he gains experience and possibly goes that little bit further. 
Our second Hunter Chase of the season up next which was kindly supported by Jumping For Fun. Macklin won nicely under a patient ride from Will Biddick for owner John Studd. The horse is 4 wins from 6 runs in Point To Points and made a smooth transition to Hunter Chases here. He jumped well, stayed on strongly and won readily..watch this space Cheltenham could be next.

Our last race of the day, the Free Racing On Monday 11th March Mares’ Hurdle and a win for Lady Balko under Jack Tudor for trainer David Pipe. The horse was winning for the second time in 6 days after her emphatic success at Hereford and carried a 7lb penalty here. She’s a lovely mare, who looks to have the scope to go chasing in time.