Taunton Tips

Taunton Racecourse is situated in the small village of Orchard Portman which has a population of just 150 and just two miles south of Taunton in Somerset.

Taunton is the youngest National Hunt racecourse in England having opened its doors in 1927. Great Leighs, or Chelmsford City as it is now known, is the youngest racecourse in the country with being built in 2008.

The racecourse hosts 15 National Hunt races throughout the year as well as various non-racing events.

Taunton Racecourse

The course at Taunton is right-handed, sharp and oval-shaped.

A circuit of the track measures around one and a quarter miles and is relatively flat with minor undulations.

There are flight flights of hurdles, or seven fences that are considered fairly stiff but small in comparison to those at other courses.

Drainage is good at Taunton which means that conditions are rarely testing in the wet weather.

Taunton Feature Races

Racing starts in January at Taunton and runs through to May when the course takes a break from hosting races for four months before racing resumes in October until December.

The Carlsberg UK Handicap Hurdle gets the season underway at Taunton and takes place in January. It’s a popular event that usually sells out at the racecourse.

At the other end of the season, the Audrey Chudleigh Memorial Handicap Hurdle takes place and is perhaps even more popular than the season opener.

Betting Advice For Taunton

• Right-handed rectanglular shape, sharp and mostly flat
• Listed mares novice hurdle the feature
• Often stages the first hunter chase of the season in January
• Jeremy Scott (14/83 and 30 places) for a 16.87% strike-rate respected
• Kim Bailey (5/20 and 9 places) for a 25% strike-rate
• Tom Lacey (8/36) for a 22.22% strike-rate – also 16 places in total
• Nick Williams (6/25 and 11 places) with a 24% strike-rate
• Kieren Buckley (8/30 and 12 places) for a 26.67% strike-rate
• Millie Wonnacott (3/8 and 4 places) has a 37.5% strike-rate
• Stan Sheppard (5/28 and 12 places) for a near 18% strike-rate does well
• Harry Cobden (40/149) and 76 places) for a 26.85% strike-rate does well but shows a level stakes loss