Racing Live - Taunton 21st January 2010
16:21 That’s it from Taunton, some decent fields but in all honesty no real stars. At least we are racing today. From a murky Taunton a very good evening.
16:17 Mizzurka caught the eye when winning a decent bumper at Newbury after Christmas and had to give at least 7lbs to her rivals. The weight did not stop her as she made all to take the contest comfortably by six lengths. Challengers came and went and eventually it was Be My Light who ran on to take second spot improving on her debut third. Newcomer Way Back When caught the eye putting in some good work in the closing stages to take third place.
15:55 The final contest is the DBS/EBF Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race over 2m 1f. Fourteen face the starter.15:49 Well a milestone in the sixth race as Timmy Murphy rides his 1,000th British winner on the very well backed Wizard Of Edge. Top weight Gershwinner was prominent throughout but as they turned for home the weight concession to his rivals began to show and Wizard Of Edge, who had been settled fourth or fifth throughout eased into the lead. The only mare in the field, Maori Legend, ran on into third spot with Crank Hill splitting them. Coming to the second last Wizard Of Edge still had the lead but Maori Legend looked to be a serious challenger, however the filly did not put a clean jump and lost momentum. There was no doubt about the winner and although closing on the run-in Maori Legend was able to spoil Murphy’s story. Crank Hill was a tired third, whilst Gershwinner was an even more tired fourth.
15:20 Our final race over obstacles is our longest contest, the 3m 3f Shoreditch Handicap Chase has nine going to post with It’s A Classic being our only non-runner. 15:17 The winner of the contest was in some very famous colours, the purple and grey carried by Denman. Qozak was sent off favourite but I think it is fair to say he is unlikely to reach the dizzy heights of his more illustrious stablemate. Having said that he did nothing wrong and won impressively under a patient ride from Nick Schofield. Chanibar, a recent course winner, was reluctant to start but once off he pulled hard to make the running, a position he held until the back straight for the final time. Bensfleet Boy and Spence were to the fore but it was to be running-on horses who were to figure in the finish. Both Qozak and Novikov made decent progress as they left the far straight for the final time . By the time they had lined up for home Qozak was in the lead with Benfleet Boy receiving reminders in second spot and Novikov running on well. Two out Qozak had a two length lead with Novikove challenging and Benfleet Boy refusing to go down without a fight. Qozak put in a fantastic jump at the last as was soon well clear and it was race over. Novikov plugged on for second and Benfleet Boy ran his heart out to take third.
14:54 Chaninbar lookes to be a handful going to post. 14:53 Next up is the Carlsberg UK Handicap Hurdle a 2m 1f contest with 13 going to face the starter. 14:47 Arguably a lucky winner of our fourth contest as the money goes to the favourite Wishfull Thinking, however it is questionable if he would have won has Maggio not fallen at the last when upsides and looking to be running the better of the pair. Maggio had led from the start before dropping out three from home and rallying again in the home straight. Quiet Bob was to the fore for a fair amount of the contest before dropping out as they began the final circuit. Grands Crus was settled near the rear before making good late progress taking second at a tasty 66/1. An even longer shot was Restezen D’Armor and Charlie Longsdons gelding was running on best of all at the end to come home third at 100/1.
14:24 Forgot to mention Ghizao was Timmy Murphy's 999th winner. 14:23 Next up is an extended 2m 3f hurdle, the EBF National Hunt Novices Hurdle (Qualifier), with 13 going to post. 14:18 Time for the human touch story. The last race was named in honour of Joanne Payne-Pudan who had won a competition on local radio station Heart FM. After the presentation in the parade ring her boyfriend got down on one knee and proposed.14:16 Another uncompetitive and, frankly, unsatisfactory contest. Rudivale set off in front and was soon far too far in front, leading by 25 lengths. His cause was not helped by continually jumping left with the swerving getting worse the further they went. Hat-trick seeking Senor Shane was in second place throughout closing on the leader and eventually hitting the front approaching the last, running on in the run-in to record a 3¾ length victory. Anay Turge, who had been third throughout also ran on to take second spot, with the long time leader coming home third. Favourite Ere Alfie had been in fourth place before pulling up three out.
13:54 Our first chase is the 2m 3f Joanne Payne-Pudan Novices’ Handicap Chase a 2m 3f contest in which thirteen go to post. 13:43 Well you will have to go a long way to see a more uncompetitive race. Three runners, San Marino, Ghizao and Rock Celtic were soon well clear of their rivals in what became two separate races. San Marino set off in front but the 1/5 favourite Ghizao was happy to track along with Rock Celtic. By the time they turned for home the front three were a country mile ahead of their rivals. Approaching two out Timmy Murphy eased Ghizao in front and it was race over – running on to come home 13 lengths clear of Rock Celtic, with San Marino back in third. The remainder were a distance back.
13:24 Race two is division two of the Novices’ Hurdle. Eleven face the starter and the negative in the parade ring is San Marino, very much on his toes despite two handlers. This is a one horse race if you believe the betting with Ghizao trading at around 1/5.
13:17 The opening contest was a two horse contest according to the betting with Bothy and Escort’men the only two backed. Venetias Williams El Distintivo set the early pace but was soon joined by Cool Touch with Bothy happy to settle behind the front pair along with Sherminator. In truth there was little change in the order up front as these four were to the fore throughout. Turning for home Cool Touch had the lead with Bothy the challenger. Sherminator was making good late progress. Bothy required a few backhanders to get in front but once in the lead he looked home and hosed. Cool Touch held on for second and El Distintivo rallied to grab third spot from Southerness.
12:56 No stand outs in the parade ring. Ellie’s Prince went to post early and was on his toes. 12:42 Our opening contest is Division One of the 2m 1f Thurlbear Novices’ Hurdle. With Ludlow being off we have a couple of jockey changes. 12:37 The first fence in the home straight is being omitted in all chases. 12:20 We should be grateful racing goes ahead here, Ludlow is snowed off today and Chepstow tomorrow lost to waterlogging. Not the most auspicious start to the day – it is a long drive here for me and most drivers seemed to be determined to drive at 20 mph below the speed limit - always on the single carriageway roads as well. Then when I arrived at the course I was greeted by an ill tempered jobsworth in the car park. 11:43 Good morning from a very overcast Taunton where it looks as though the skies are going to open. We have just teh one non-runner, details on the right. 07:29 After a dry night the going remains Soft, Good to Soft in Places Our selections are:-
21:07 Wednesday Advance information:- Going Soft, Good to Soft in Places
(GoingStick: 4.3 on Tuesday at 16:45) Rail moved on bends adding 10m per circuit. 7mm of rain overnight Tuesday.
Forecast for a further 6mm Wednesday morning then dry until late
Thuesday tomorrow.
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Non-RunnersThe time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner. SC - Self Certificate Non-runners Results 13:00 Novices' Hurdle (Div 1) 2m 1f 1st 10 Bothy evens fav 13:30 Novices' Hurdle (Div 2) 2m 1f 1st 4 Ghizao 1/5 fav 14:00 Handicap Chase 2m 3f 1st 4 Senor Shane 5/1 14:30 Novices' Hurdle 3m 110yds 1st 1 Wishfull Thinking 11/8 fav 15:00 Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f 15:30 Handicap Chase 3m 3f 1st 10 Wizard Of Edge 9/2 cf 14:00 Standard Open NH Flat 2m 4f 1st 1 Mizzurka 7/2 |
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