Taunton Quartet

Tango Arumba at Newton Abbot

Today we have four runners at our most local track, Taunton. Tango Arumba, Moodofthemoment, Via Dante and American Sniper. Tango Arumba runs in the opening contest on the card, a 2m3f novices hurdle at 12.55om and Tom Scu rides. After winning a bumper on stable debut she disappointed on hurdling debut but took a step back in the right direction at Chepstow last time. She wears a hood for the first time today and we hope she can build on last time.

 Moodofthemoment runs in the first division of the 2 mile maiden hurdle at 1.55pm and Tom Scu rides. After a disappointing stable debut it was much more like it at Ffos Las last time when he travelled and jumped well and kept galloping to be fourth. He may find this trip on this track a little sharp today but he is in good form at home and hopefully he can take another step forward today but ultimately he is one for the future.

Via Dante runs in the second division of the maiden hurdle at 2.25pm with Philip Armson on board. He is a work in progress and so it is probably a watching brief today but he is learning and will be seen in a better light over further in time.

American Sniper is our fourth and final runner in the card and he runs in the 3.00pm handicap hurdle over 2m3f with Tom Scu in the saddle. He has had a terrific season so far and runs in his first handicap today off a mark of 126 which looks fair. He has won two novice hurdles and although he ran a little bit flat last time there were no apparent reasons for that and he seems in good form at home. This looks a competitive race but he has a great attitude and he likes the track and hopefully he won’t be too far away at the finish.

On Saturday Ramses De Teillee ran his heart out in the veterans chase final at Sandown to be second. Ridden prominently he jumped and travelled well and looked to be enjoying it. I’m not sure what happened as the field jumped the Pond fence and rounded the bend but the eventual winner, Wishing and hoping stole vital lengths and despite Ramses closing on his hand over fist up the run in the finish line just came too soon. He finished so strongly he probably would have won in another 50 yards and it was a joy to watch him power up the Sandown hill despite finishing second!! He has come out of the race as well as ever and is a horse loving life right now. I am not sure of any future plans right now but I am sure there are more staying/veterans chases to look forward to. Poseidon ran okay on stable debut in the handicap hurdle. He was probably a bit too keen early in the race and the ground was a bit too soft as well. While he acted on it, he did not love it and just failed to get up the hill as well as we would have liked. He has plenty of ability and a likeable attitude and will give our Racing Club members plenty of fun going forwards.

In yesterdays action, Duc De Beauchene unfortunately tried to take a fence with him mid race and that ultimately was race over for him. He did well to stay on his feet but never really recovered and there will be another day for him. First Lord Du Cuet ran another super race to finish second to the favourite. He probably ran to his mark but bumped into an improver. He has now finished second on all four of his career starts over fences and deserves a win next time.

I made it home from a cold, wet and blustery Wadebridge point to point yesterday just in time to watch most of the Man City, Chelsea FA cup match. There were some good competitive races at the point to point and while no winners for my close connections, Tom Malone’s colours were carried to victory in the Hunt race and Somerset Racing colours won the restricted race with a horse called Millbank Flyer.

A student was asked why he ate his homework, he said it was a piece of cake! Happy Monday!