Taunton afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Thursday, November 30
Taunton racecourse
If it survives the cold weather Taunton will serve up an afternoon meeting on Thursday, November 30 and the Planet Sport tipsters are on hand to help bash the bookies.
Let's start with some details on our selected horses at Taunton, and we have a full list of selections at the bottom of the page.
Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.
Good luck and please gamble responsibly.
(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)
12.50 Matterhorn
Matterhorn finally looked like scaling the heights he promised in France when winning at Taunton last time out and he can repeat the dose in the Taunton Racecourse Business Club “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
Bought from France by Paul Nicholls for owner Johnny de la Hey, it has to be said that he had come nowhere near to reproducing what was thought of him.
Having finished in front of Gaelic Warrior in a three-year-old Listed hurdle at Auteuil, he was sent off strongly fancied on his UK debut at Sandown but ran far too free.
Given over 100 days off, he reappeared at a lower level at Taunton, where he was an easy winner but still ran with the choke out.
That same trait was there when Matterhorn was beaten at Huntingdon in April and he subsequently had a wind op.
Back at Taunton for his seasonal reappearance, he once again made the running but this time he was listening to Harry Cobden and coasted to victory.
The five-year-old has a handicap mark of 128 but Nicholls has decided to try and win another novice with a double penalty first.
14:00 (Taunton) Afadil
Nicholls and Cobden must have a strong chance of doubling up with Afadil in the Stables Business Park Handicap Hurdle.
He is wearing first-time cheekpieces after a dull run at Cheltenham in much hotter company, but that result can be explained away due to the soft ground.
Afadil is much more at home on a sounder surface, which he will get here and he had when impressing at the Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr in April, winning going away.
Cobden actually chose Afadil over subsequent Coral Hurdle winner Blueking D’Oroux at Ascot last year, of course without knowing what we now know about his stablemate.
It will be a surprise if this son of Camelot is still rated as low as 127 when the season ends.
15:10 (Taunton) Sailed Away
Sailed Away returned after a break with a good second at Fakenham.
Only denied by two and a half lengths attempting a handicap hurdle and is firmly in the mix.
Imperial Measure started new campaign securing a victory at Newton Abbot.
Not disgraced finishing third in a sixteen runner Exeter contest and a bold bid is anticipated.
Caitlin's Court was a good second at Newton Abbot.Sixth at Exeter subsequently and better is expected.
15:45 (Taunton) Ede'Iffs Rock
Ede'Iffs Rock appears to be progressing with each run since a break.
Returned after a six month break with a good second at Plumpton and was only denied by one and a half lengths and could come forward for the outing.
Noble Savage managed a good fourth on reappearance following a five month absence and has some fair form last season.
Sinurita is entitled to progress running fourth when resuming at Fakenham, so should be considered for a place.
Taunton selections in full:
TAUNTON: 12.17 Abbeyhill, 12.50 Matterhorn, 1.25 Furkash, 2.00 Afadil, 2.35 My Rockstar, 3.10 Sailed Away, 3.45 Ede'Iffs Rock
