Taunton

Taunton is a town in Somerset in the south-west of England.

Taunton has an ancient history. Bronze Age settlements have been found in this area and it was an important area to the Saxons later in history. It has been the scene of much conflict during the war Of The Roses, The Cornish Uprising and the English Civil War. In modern times, Taunton was declared a ‘Strategically Important Town or City’ resulting in government funding for regeneration of parts of the town. This is ongoing.

The proximity of Taunton to the M5 gives easy access too and from the town. In particular, for tourists, there is easy access to the delights of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

In sport, aside from horse racing, Taunton is also home to Somerset County Cricket Club.

Among things to do here are:

The Museum of Somerset – https://swheritage.org.uk/museum-of-somerset/

French Weir Park – https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g190730-d14067724-Reviews-French_Weir_Park-Taunton_Somerset_England.html

St Mary Magdelene Church – https://www.stmarymagdalenetaunton.org.uk

Taunton Racecourse

Taunton Racecourse hosts only National Hunt Racing on turf.

Taunton is a right-handed, fairly flat, oval circuit of one mile and a quarter. The course is on the sharp side with a fairly short run-in from the last.

Clerk of the course: Jason Loosemore

Course telephone number: 01823 337172

Getting Here

Taunton is 165 miles from Central London, 130 miles from Birmingham, 49 miles from Bristol, 79 miles from Cardiff, 209 miles from Manchester and 415 miles from Edinburgh.

The racecourse is situated about 2 miles south of the town on B3170 Honiton road. The nearest motorway junction is junction 25 of M5.

The course post code is TA3 7BL.

Course parking is free.

The nearest railway station is Taunton Station which is about two and a half miles away.

Racecourse facilities

Course website: https://tauntonracecourse.co.uk/

Disabled access: https://tauntonracecourse.co.uk/racing-home/frequently-asked-questions/

There is just the one enclosure and entry gives you access to everywhere except the annual members stand. Entry today was £18. The view from the stands is pretty good and the view is quite picturesque.

The course website advertises the Orchard Restaurant which has tables overlooking the racecourse. I’ve not tried it but at £60 it seems inexpensive compared with similar facilities at other courses around the country. I had a peek in the door and it looks just fine. There’s plenty of spots for a pint or coffee and a pie or something and it’s not at all expensive, I must say. Staff were very helpful

My Day

I arrived here today not sure I will even have a bet but I got tempted by one or two fairly quickly.

I was certainly tempted by my friend @genuinetriers and had a minimum each way on Avocadeau in the first race. Only 7 runners but the 4TBP market on Betfair is offering 6/5 so a small each way bet. Going along the back 2nd time he looked certain to be involved at the finish but lacked the pace to stay with the leaders when pressure was applied. Probably didn’t stay the trip and was just done for fourth on the line.

In the second race, a class 3 Handicap Chase over 2m 7f, I am tempted by Braqueur D’or from the Paul Nicholls yard. His run last time a Cheltenham was too bad to be true (I hope) I don’t think his two rivals will make it easy for him today but at 5/4 he looks worth a bet to me. In the race, he jumped well in the main tracking the leader. He took a fraction to go with the leader when the pace quickened but did and quickly put it beyond (my) doubt approaching the last.

Paul Nicholls charge again caught my eye in the third race, a maiden hurdle over 2m 3f. He also caught the eye of my mate @genuinetriers which always helps my confidence. Well held on his first run over hurdles at Wincanton, improvement seemed certain. The Market thought so too as he was backed down to favouritism. Harry Cobden rode the perfect race to beat market and form rival Represented but in the last half furlong he got done by a 40/1 outsider. Honestly, I wouldn’t back the winner if the race was run again tomorrow. Just the way it goes ☺

Just one more bet for the road and that was in the final race on the card, a NH Flat race (Bumper) over an extended two miles. My selection is the Paul Nicholls trained Southfield Stone ridden by stable jockey Harry Cobden. He had run well enough on debut at Exeter and I expected him to go off as favourite here and he was when I backed him. But he drifted out to 9/4 as the money came for Romeo Brown who eventually went off at 6/4F. Thank goodness for guaranteed odds as my selection won by 5 lengths from the favourite in second.

A small profit again today.

Not sure where I am off to next but not too many left now. I cannot finish until end of April anyway as there is no meeting at Newton Abbot until then. A shame, I was hoping to finish at the festival.