Taunton held their Dave Criddle Festive fixture last week and, as usual, it was well supported with some competitive and quality racing.  My review of the afternoon starts with the Kings College Hurdle and a win for El Vigaro under the in-form Ned Fox. The Matt Sheppard trained gelding completed a hat-trick of wins and, judging on this performance, there is no reason why he shouldn’t make it a four timer. As an aside, if you are looking for a stocking filler, the trainer has just released his own book, Confessions of a Slow Two-Miler, which is a highly amusing read.

The second race of the day was the Jim Woodborne Memorial Junior Hurdle and this produced possibly our most impressive winner of the day in Tashan (pictured). Joe Anderson steered the Emma Lavelle trained horse to victory. He looks a real improver and one for your notebook, especially if he goes handicapping after Christmas and receiving the four year old weight for age allowance against older competition.

It was a case of ‘Groundhog Day’ in the third race as Alexei repeated his win at the track earlier this season. This time the Joe Tizzard trained horse was ridden by Micheal Nolan and won comfortably and goes in the notebook..

The first Chase of the afternoon was won by De Tellers Fortune, it wouldn’t be often you get an 8/1 Nicky Henderson winner but it happened here under a strong ride from James Bowen. The Bowen brothers are in great form currently and created history at Cheltenham last Saturday by sharing a race with a dead-heat. Talking of Cheltenham, David Pipe won on the Friday with the exciting King Turgeon, he was really tough and has now won all 3 of his races this season - he’s a real joy to watch.

The Classic Collection Holidays Hurdle was won by the Paul Nicholls trained Him Malaya, with Olive Nicholls on board, and the Dave Criddle Travel Mares’ Chase by Ostrava Du Berlais, who backed up her win at Ludlow 8 days ago and completed a double on the afternoon for Ned Fox.

The last race of the day was won by the Jane Williams trained Despereaux and ridden byJonathan Burke. Another horse to have won 8 days ago at Ludlow, who has been transformed by wearing cheek-pieces and going over a longer trip and could well go in again.

It’ll soon be Christmas, I’ve already recommended a read by the fire over Christmas and when you are ready for some fresh air and sport, take a visit to Taunton on the 30th. It will be competitive racing, a great atmosphere and a chance to blow away those festive cobwebs..check out www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk for some early bird offers, be sharp though as the day is limited to 4000 sales and will sell out.