There seemed to be some glimmers of optimism overnight that one or both of the meetings under threat from the weather would survive, but both Warwick and Newcastle succumbed to the elements to leave Taunton as just the second jumps card in Britain since Saturday.
That does mean that the Peterborough Chase, re-routed to the West Country from Huntingdon’s abandoned meeting last Sunday, will finally get a winner, though only five of the original 10 entries have turned up and Top Notch (2.45) should take the spoils with a minimum of fuss.
The remainder of the card is far more competitive, however, with Colin Tizzard’s runners Cucklington (1.05) and Molineaux (2.10) looking like the pick of the morning prices.
Cucklington is on a hat-trick and 12lb higher in the weights than for his first success of the season at Plumpton in early November, but he has been winning with something in hand and recording good times in the process. Molineux has yet to get his head in front after eight starts, but also arrives on the back of a career-best performance when third in a Class Two at Ascot. The slight drop in grade should be enough to get him onto the score sheet.
Nicky Henderson is odds-on to win the Peterborough Chase and could well complete an across-the-codes double when Bardd (8.15) makes a belated debut on the Flat at Chelmsford City on Thursday evening. His recent efforts over hurdles have not built on the promise of his early outings, but his two runs in bumpers in 2016 are more than a match for any of the form his rivals can offer in the weakest race on card. Steel Train (7.15), who returned to winning form last time out, and You’re Cool (7.45), who is on a hat-trick over course and distance, will also take some beating on the same card.
Thursday tips
Taunton 12.00 Brahms De Clermont 12.30 Canelo 1.05 Cucklington (nb) 1.35 Our Merlin 2.10 Molineaux 2.45 Top Notch 3.15 Workbench 3.50 Sheelbewhatsheelbe
Chelmsford 5.45 Bezos 6.15 I’m Yer Man 6.45 Cookie Ring 7.15 Steel Train 7.45 You’re Cool 8.15 Bardd (nap) 8.45 Enigmatic
