Racecourse number: 54
First visited: 2018
Number of visits: 1
Of all the racecourses Taunton could well be bottom of my list in terms of both races watched and my desire to attend. Historically it was a course with limited exposure. In the days before wall to wall TV coverage this would be the meeting with audio commentary only. Limited annual fixtures also combined with a tendency to race on firm/hard ground with low numbers of runners. Added to this its West Country location has kept it well off my racing radar. Nevertheless, in 2018 plans were made to tick this box and finally attend a Taunton meeting. We had booked a family midweek break at the not too far away Longleat Center Parcs. On the Sunday night we stayed at the Taunton Premier Inn after a four hour journey, so we were handy and fresh for the Taunton meeting the following day.
My wife Claire and kids Rachel and Jake have themselves put a lot into my journey to all the racecourses. Over the years they have enjoyed it generally without sharing the same level of enthusiasm I have for a sport that I love. On this day though it became apparent that, to use a racing metaphor, the Tomlinsons were beginning to tie up as we entered the final stages of my racecourses challenge. To be fair to Taunton they had done their best to engage with younger attendees on this first Monday of the Easter school holidays. However, the vintage tractors, Ferret racing, Beagle parade and Owl display generated little interest from Rachel and Jake who were both getting a little old for that kind of thing. They happily accepted the free egg on arrival and engaged in the racecard Easter egg hunt competition. Unfortunately though, they found the time between arriving and the first race, when I was enjoying assessing the racecourse facilities, too long and somewhat painful. To be fair the whole day they were understandably itching to get to the delights of Center Parcs. Hang on in their guys, only seven more new courses to go!
I was boosted by an early winner at Huntingdon, Presenting Pearl winning nicely at 4-1. The plan now was a positive start to the live action and I was confident of an initial success with my selection in the first at Taunton, Mount Rushmoore. So much so that I had made this my nap of the day and my selection for our works betting syndicate account. Five of us take turns at betting part of our collective funds. When you have a losing bet the next person takes over. The others mainly go with football bets. In theory at least I am the horse racing specialist. We had turned £200 into nearly £2000 and I was keen to be responsible for further success. Jake helped me secure even money, the best price available for the Colin Tizard trained Mount Rushmoore. My certainty was then heavily backed by the West Country punters and based on the betting activity defeat was out of the question. Unfortunately, no one had told the horse who showed as much enthusiasm for Taunton as the other Tomlinsons. After only two hurdles the warning signs were clear. Poor jumping was the main problem but this large beast could well have been unsuited by the sharp Taunton circuit. Eventually, he completed in fourth but had never looked like winning. I was more upset than normal about this defeat. It is always good to start with a winner and today a win would have been an ideal family morale boost. The main reason though was that it was the betting syndicate selection. I like tipping winners more than I do backing them. I want to be seen as the horse racing expert, whether it is true or not. To select a well beaten odds on favourite was most disappointing. There must be a chart somewhere which mathematically represents backing/tipping winners taking into account odds, outcomes and emotions. At the top the joy of tipping and backing a long priced winner. At the bottom a picture of me and Mount Rushmoore!
Not that any of this was Taunton’s fault and overall the facilities were more than adequate. Good stands, enough space and a range of eating options were helped by an increasingly pleasant spring day. A warm welcome, kid’s entertainment and the half decent card could not detract however from a sense that we did not belong at Taunton. This really was a day for the local country set, the majority dressed proudly in greens, browns and tweeds. The racecard further emphasised the point. We were attending on ‘Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’ day. Race three was sponsored by the UK Gun Repairs shop in Taunton who, apparently stock a wide range of guns and ammunition. We were definitely not from around these parts! This would not though in any way distract me from my focus - the days racing and the quest for winners. I would quickly get back on track in races two and three. Smart Boy held on by a diminishing neck to open my account at Taunton. This was followed half an hour later by a much easier winner, Royal Act who romped home with ease. Neither were great prices at around 3-1 but both were very welcome. Royal Act’s race was a chase so we had crossed to the inside of this tight, short circuit to watch the race from the final fence. Closer up you could see the true nature of not only the course’s tightness but also its undulating nature, particularly early in the home straight. Not all horses would perform at their best here. From this vantage point Jake and I decided to do a ‘Fontwell’. We walked over to a fence in the back straight with the intention of running back across to the final fence before the horses got there. Many others did the same. I got some great photos of the horses thundering past over the far side before chasing Jake in vain across the centre of the course back to the last fence. A horse racing analysis of my effort might read as follows: slowly away, outpaced early, stayed on late but no chance with winner!
Proudly on parade between races on this day were two local equine superstars. Regal Flow had just won the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter. Native River had just won the Cheltenham Gold Cup following an epic duel with Might Bite. Both were very well received by the local crowd. Native River looked particularly well, a horse that seemed to know he was a champion. We swerved race four and headed instead for the Orchard Stand restaurant. Pie and chips ended up being a much better bet than my selections who ran poorly. Race five would be our last and I was pretty confident of a good run from my selection Muffins For Tea. A backup plan was provided by Rachel. Her betting strategy tended to revolve around staking a pound on the biggest priced horse, especially if it was a grey. Cap Horner fitted the bill perfectly and with some form suggesting he was not without a chance I went mad and had £3 on at 12-1. Our two selections fought out the finish, with the grey outsider seeing out the three and a half miles best for victory. It is always great to end with a winner and very helpful if someone else provides it for you. Cheers Rachel. Her reward, in addition to a share of the winnings was that we were now finally heading to Center Parcs. On the hour long journey, which involved some dodgy B roads thanks to our less than trusty sat nav, we passed Wincanton, my next racecourse lined up for in just two days time. After forty years my journey to all the racecourses was heading towards its conclusion.
