Last Saturday we enjoyed an excellent afternoon’s racing with a bumper crowd. Proceedings commenced with a maiden hurdle and an exhilarating display from Just A Rose and Freddie Gingell, writes Martin Higgs.

The Paul Nicholls trained mare was always prominent in a strongly run race and looks very useful indeed. Maiden and Novice hurdles are well supported at the track with plenty of past winners, including JPR One and Golden Ace, going on to be successful at the highest level. Judged by Saturday, there is every reason to think she could be joining that honours board.

The next two races were both won by mares, with the joint Harry Redknapp owned Northern Air living up to her lofty price-tag of £105,000 by taking the second race.  Jesuila Des Mottes then secured the Novice Handicap Hurdle, at the rewarding odds of 22/1, for trainer Emma Lavelle under jockey James Best. She was due to run at Ffos Las last Saturday but swerved that to come to Taunton for the better ground.

Jockey followers were rewarded when Sean Bowen won on First Angel, he could have chosen to ride at either Ascot or Haydock but decided Taunton would provide him with the best winning opportunities in his quest for the Champion Jockeys’ title. I think the competition will again be close this year, but nobody will try harder than Sean and surely it is only a matter of time before he gets that coveted first title.

Our feature race of the afternoon was the Somerset County Gazette Seniors’ Hurdle and it was taken by Aurigny Mill (pictured) and Joe Anderson. The Robert Walford gelding won readily for his delighted owner Mrs Weld, who was in attendance.

Safe Destination took the honours in the three mile chase under Toby McCain-Mitchell and the Joe Tizzard trained Star Of Affinity won the last for Freddie Gingell thereby making it a riding double for the highly talented jockey on the day.

Away from Taunton, top quality racing was in abundance over the weekend. Stand-outs were Jonbon winning at Ascot, surely his first Cheltenham Festival success must come in March. Lulamba looked very impressive in the Ascot Juvenile Hurdle and is justifiably favourite for the Triumph.

From the West country, a mention has to go to the Paul Nicholls trained Jubilee Alpha, she followed up her Listed race win at Taunton’s Twixmas meeting with a decisive display at Windsor and will be aimed at the mares’ novices’ hurdle at Cheltenham, with the trainer saying ‘he could get her better’ and Harry Fry who had three winners including Gidleigh Park in a Grade 2 Chase at Windsor. It’s not been plain sailing with this horse and the win would have been very satisfying for the whole team.

Taunton race again on Tuesday 4th February so take a visit to our website www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk  where you will find our early bird and 10th March Free ticket details.