Woollacott’s Good Run To Continue At Taunton

Unfortunately Vanellope wasn’t there to win at Navan on Saturday if the ride she was given was anything to go by. Harley Dunne had her posted widest of all throughout and she must have covered at least 3 miles in the 2m 6f contest. She travelled and jumped extremely well for a long way, but it was no surprise to see her fade in the closing stages as the wide course she charted took its toll. I remain convinced that this mare has races in her off her current rating and there will be other days for her.

Floresco hails from a yard in flying form.

Tomorrow I like the look of one at a nice price at Taunton, and I think Floresco looks massively overpriced in the 19f handicap hurdle at 14.10. Richard Woollacott is a trainer that regular readers of the blog will be familiar with, and he hit the headlines after a wonderful win by Beer Goggles a couple of weeks ago. He had another winner last week with Millanisi Boy so clearly he has his string in stupendous form.


Floresco is a horse I have put up before and he looks too big at odds of 20/1 at Taunton tomorrow. This 7yo son of Santiago hasn’t won since taking an 18.5f handicap at Newton Abbott back in May 2016 off 123. He made an ordinary return to action at Ludlow back in October when a well beaten 4th in a handicap chase. He returns to hurdles off a 2lb lower mark than for his last win, and he has a good record at this track.

He has had three runs at Taunton with form figures of 322. His most recent start here came back in November 2015 over an inadequate trip of 2 miles off 114 and he ran a lovely race to be 2nd. He has plenty of form off higher marks too, such as his excellent 4th in a strong Cheltenham handicap this time last year off 130. His form nosedived after that excellent run but every cloud has a silver lining and the handicapper has given him a real chance now.

His yard is flying and the booking of Daryl Jacob is a big positive too. He has won on him before and he has a fine record when riding for Woollacott. He has 16 wins and 45 top 4 finishes from 125 rides and Jacob also does very well at Taunton (37 wins/83 top 4 finishes from 239 rides). With trip, track and ground to suit I think Floresco has every chance of hitting the frame at Taunton and at odds of 20/1 he looks well worth chancing each way.


STEVOS’ SELECTION: 14.10 TAUNTON-FLORESCO E/W @ 20/1