David Massey provides today's preview and he's got a couple of selections to consider at Taunton.
Racing betting tips: Tuesday December 30
0.5pts e.w. Golden Garden in 12:50 Taunton at 12/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3) - take no lower
1pt win St Irene in 14:20 Taunton at 10/3 (General) - min 11/4
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12:50 Taunton
The likelihood of good ground means that Taunton is often a good place to spot an above-average juvenile hurdler and there are several here who could progress well over hurdles. Wertpol and Bellator Bullet are interesting given the yards they represent, but the vote goes to GOLDEN GARDEN representing the Warren Greatrex stable.
Greatrex has done well over the years with juvenile hurdlers, and Golden Garden has the right background to excel over timber, being a 70-rated Flat performer who produced his best effort on the level over 1ยพm. When I was a lad, it was often opined that a 1ยผm performer was the beau ideal to make a 2m hurdler, but time and again the need for stamina has been reinforced and Golden Garden showed that he would stay well enough over timber when making most at a sound pace over 1ยพm at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start.
The selection is sure to have been well schooled at home and good ground is likely to be a big help given he was best on a sound surface or the all-weather for previous trainer Jamie Osborne. If he jumps fluently, he could be hard to catch, and in that regard Iโm happy to place my faith in the Greatrex schooling system.
13:50 Taunton
Richard Mitford-Slade doesnโt have a big string, but even so itโs surprising to find that his only runners in the 2025/26 season have come since the start of last month and all three of his runners have performed well, with two finishing second and the other fourth.
One of those was Fat Faced Columbo, who was having just his third start under rules (runner-up in an Irish point) and making his chase and handicap debut when beaten a short head by Special John in a novice handicap at Exeter, with the pair coming clear. That form has already been advertised, with the winner scoring again off a 7lb higher mark at Wincanton a couple of weeks after that Exeter contest.
Fat Faced Columbo has been raised 6lb for his narrow defeat and looks very fairly handicapped, particularly in regard to his scope for further progress, and he will take plenty of beating if running to the same level here, let alone improving.
14:20 Taunton
Nick Scholfield has made a fair start to his training career, with a winner from his only runner on Boxing Day showing the horses are still in form, and he should go close to a first Listed winner here as he saddles form pick ST IRENE, who spilt useful pair Jackie Hobbs and Strong Run on hurdles bow at Newbury and built on that promising start when winning easily at Wincanton on her second hurdles start.
She didnโt need to repeat the bare form of the Newbury run to score last time, but jumped soundly in front and had the race in safe keeping long before her sole error at the last. She appears a useful prospect in this division and the ground will suit her better than it will French raider Al Fonce, who has won both her starts over hurdles on genuinely heavy ground.
Preview posted 09:32 GMT on 30/12/25
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2025 successes
- Gogo Yubari 7/2
- Ali Star Bert 100/30
- Rossbridge 9/2
- Kala Conti 5/2
- Found A Fifty 100/30
- Hold Up La Colmine 9/2
- Ben Solo 9/2
- Eldorado Allen 17/2
- French Emperor 15/2
- Lud'or 9/2
- Iddy Wood 9/2
- Jager Time 11/2
- Susie Sioux 3/1
- Smooth Silesie 13/2
- Sticktotheplan 6/1
- Daryz 11/1
- Expressionless 9/1
- Blue Jay Way 11/1
- Revival Power 13/2
- Yanifer 10/1
- Saddadd 5/2
- Dark Cloud Rising 11/2
- Forglen 13/2
- Brazilian Belle 11/4
- Red Panda 17/2
- Bearwith 7/2
- Nogoโs Dream 2/1
- Alpha Magic 20/1
- Minnie Hauk 5/1
- Gore Point 17/2
- Molten Sea 6/1
- Pay Attention 5/1
- Laser Focus 13/2
- Phaedra 2/1
- Eldrickjones 8/1
- Straight F/C Cosmic Year/Marvelman 28/1
- Pink Eyed Pancho 12/1
- Pep Talking 7/2
- Ultra Beat 7/2
- Les's Legacy 13/2
- Coniston George 9/2
- Fairlawn Flyer 12/1
- Finn Lough 9/2
- Magma Sam 9/1
- Hawajes 9/2
- Trouble Man 3/1
- Royal Jewel 11/4
- Mr Vango 5/1
- Jack Sprat 11/4
- Ormolulu 100/30
- Khangai 9/2
- Jimmy Knocker 6/1
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