WE race this afternoon (Thursday) with 62 runners spread across a seven race card, writes Martin Higgs. 

The day commences at 2:05pm with two divisions of the West Buckland Primary Racing To School Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle. Activist looks an eye-catching entry in the first division having won comfortably at Plumpton on Monday, Whynotnowroy looks capable of winning a race of this type and Imperial Measure ran a solid race when second at our last meeting..Yes I am sitting on the fence with this one. 

The second division at 2:40pm is different as I am firmly in the Johannes camp. The 4 year old gets a weight for age allowance on handicap debut and, if you go back through his form, he looks well weighted in this.

Our third race is the Blackdown Motor Company Novices’ Hurdle with Jackpot D’Athou and Livin On Luco setting the standard for the Nicholls and Hobbs & White stables, preference is marginally for the latter.

We then come to the renewal of the Richard Williams Memorial Chase and last time out winner Star Flyer is the fancy, he improved for wearing cheek-pieces and if they work again he will take all the beating in this.

Our 4:25 race is the Stables Business Park Handicap Hurdle and 14 horses go to post. Course and distance winner My Last Oscar (pictured) won well last time at Hexham in December and still looks to be ahead of the handicapper, he looks a solid option in a tricky affair.

We follow this with The Jason Loosemore – You’re Fired! Mares Handicap Chase. Jason leaves Taunton today having spent over 10 years as Clerk of the Course at the track. Contrary to the ‘tongue in cheek’ race name he leaves of his own accord and heads to Exeter and will be missed by all of those who have worked with him. With regards to the race, if you ignore her last run, Walk In Clover must take all the beating as dropping in class.

Spring is on it’s way and evidence is here with our last race the Free Racing On Monday 11th March Open Flat Race going off at 5:35. Sorceleur has the experience and should enhance the Nicholls/Cobden already impressive strike rate at the track.

It’s not too late to join us and pay on the gate. We even have a courtesy coach service arranged for the day, it will depart from outside platform 5 of Taunton Railway Station 90 minutes before our first race time and return half an hour after the start of the last.