Monday afternoon jump racing takes centre stage at Taunton Racecourse on 9 March, where a competitive seven-race National Hunt card is scheduled from 2:10 pm to 5:10 pm. The meeting acts as a warm-up to the highly anticipated Cheltenham Festival, with several races sponsored by DragonBet and featuring hurdles and steeplechases across distances ranging from two miles to three miles.
The afternoon begins with a promising contest for younger jumpers and builds toward competitive handicaps and chases later on the card. With prize money ranging from £9,000 to £17,500, the meeting is expected to attract strong interest from trainers looking to secure a late-season victory.
The opening race at 2:10 pm is the EBF Junior National Hunt Hurdle, a Class 4 contest over 2m 167y worth £11,000, featuring eight runners. Designed for developing young hurdlers, the race offers a valuable opportunity for inexperienced jumpers to gain experience and confidence over obstacles.
At 2:40 pm, the Maiden Hurdle follows, another Class 4 race over 2m 167y with a prize fund of £10,000. With 12 runners declared, this maiden hurdle should be a competitive affair as several lightly raced horses aim to secure their first win over hurdles.
Race three at 3:10 pm is a Handicap Hurdle, again run over 2m 167y. The Class 4 contest, worth £10,500, features 10 runners and promises an evenly matched race where handicap ratings could play a decisive role.
The feature race of the afternoon arrives at 3:40 pm with the Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 3 contest run over 2m 7f 39y and offering the meeting’s highest prize fund of £17,500. A field of six runners is declared, including Royal Jewel (IRE), a seven-year-old gelding who carries 11st 13lbs and arrives in good form with figures of 3-12631.
The course-and-distance winner is trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White for Mr R. M. Penny, with Callum Pritchard claiming 3lb in the saddle, and holds a BHA rating of 131. Also lining up is U Cant Be Serious (IRE), a seven-year-old gelding trained by Joe Tizzard for Mr Sax Purdie. He carries 11st 10lbs off a rating of 128 and will be ridden by Freddie Gingell, looking to improve after a sequence of 33-1100.
Kap Vert (FR), another course-and-distance winner from the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White yard, is partnered by Sean Houlihan and carries 11st 8lbs following form figures of 020134. Kelce (IRE), an eight-year-old trained by Neil Mulholland for Paul Mckeon, comes into the race after a recent win and will be ridden by Bradley Harris with a 3lb claim, carrying 11st 7lbs off a mark of 125.
The experienced Hold Your Fort (IRE), a ten-year-old gelding trained by Debra Hamer for Mr J. Rees, carries 11st 4lbs under James Best with a rating of 122 and form figures of 3F3314. Completing the line-up is Wicked Thoughts (IRE), a course-and-distance winner trained by Paul Nicholls for Mrs L. Maclennan. The seven-year-old carries 11st 2lbs, is rated 120 and will be partnered by Harry Cobden after recent form of F21P-14.
At 4:10 pm, the Welcome Offer Handicap Hurdle stretches the field over 3m 56y, making it the longest race of the day. The Class 5 event, worth £9,000, includes 10 runners and is likely to suit horses that stay well over extended distances.
The sixth race at 4:40 pm is the Safer Gambling Tools Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 5 contest over 2m 36y. With six runners competing for £11,300, the shorter chase distance could produce a faster-paced race compared with the earlier staying contest.
The meeting concludes at 5:10 pm with the ‘Hands and Heels’ Handicap Hurdle. Run over 2m 3f 64y, the Class 5 finale carries a £9,000 prize fund and features the largest field of the day with 11 runners, ensuring an exciting finish to the afternoon programme.
Overall, the Taunton card offers a varied mix of maiden hurdles, competitive handicaps and two steeplechases, providing valuable opportunities for horses and jockeys ahead of the major spring festivals. With competitive fields and a strong supporting programme, Monday’s meeting should deliver an engaging afternoon of National Hunt racing.
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