New Trip To Suit Beautiful At Taunton

The ground was just a touch too lively for Montys Meadow in the Thyestes, and he couldn't go with the leaders when they quickened down the back. He was allowed to come home in his own time by Paddy Mangan and there will be other days for him, when he gets his preferred ground. The winner, Champagne West, won doing handstands and he is an exciting horse for the Spring.

Richard Phillips has his string in great form. 

It was a lot better for us on Wednesday, with Larry Capri doing a demolition job on the field at Fairyhouse. He was given a lovely ride by young Danny Hand, and he is a jockey with a bright future. Larry Capri jumped slickly, travelled well and when Hand pushed the button after the last he surged clear for a near 6L win. He looks an out and out stayer, and he will get even further in the future.

Another horse that could benefit from a step up in trip is Beautiful People, a 6yo daughter of Early March who is trained by Richard Phillips. This mare showed promise in a couple of good ground maidens at the beginning of the season, and she could be ready to take a step forward now in the 3.45 at Taunton, a 2m 7f class 5 handicap hurdle.

Those two eye catching runs came at Stratford (18.5f gd) and Uttoxeter (20f gd) and, on both occasions, she was doing her best work at the finish. Exaggerated waiting tactics were used, and she was given way too much to do before staying on strongly in the closing stages. She was given a break after her run at Uttoxeter, and she ran poorly on her return in her first handicap at Warwick (21f) off 103.

However, the soft ground was a valid excuse that day and it was also a class 4. She didn't fare much better next time off 100 dropped in trip here, but she was never likely to be sighted over 16f. She has been dropped another 5lbs after that run, and I think she is capable of much better than she has shown in her first two handicap outings.

The good ground and step up in trip are reasons for optimism, and her trainer has his string in fine fettle. He has won with 2 of his last 3 runners, including a 16/1 shot at Leicester this week. Hiskett was on board both those winners, and he has won 15 and placed on 44 of 190 rides for this trainer. Phillips has sent out 8 winners and had 13 placed from 81 runners at Taunton, not a bad record at all. Hopefully Beautiful People enhances that strike rate tomorrow and, at 25/1, she is worthy of a small each way bet.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 3.45 TAUNTON-BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE E/W 25/1