There is a good race coming up in the 3pm at Taunton on Tuesday. Eleven runners will be lining up in the Class 3 Race that is the Musgrove Handicap Hurdle. This is a 2m 3f run and the bookmakers have been having a tough time splitting up front runners Earth moor and Prudhomme who are up as the 7/2 joint-favourites* (betting odds taken from Coral on January 6th, 2020 at 5:32 pm)
Taunton 3.00 pm Race Odds*
Earth Moor 7/2
Prudhomme 7/2
Diamond Gait 5/1
Colonel Custard 6/1
Storm Home 7/1
Flashing Glance 8/1
Liberty Bella 81/
Speredek 12/1
River Bray 20/1
Kuiper Belt 25/1
Here’s Herbie 25/1
* (betting odds taken from Coral on January 6th, 2020 at 5:32 pm)
Earth Moor and Prudhomme the front runners
There has been little to split Earth Moor and Prudhomme in the betting build up for Taunton. The former comes into action after consecutive wins. But it’s been over a year since he was last out. He landed back to back wins at Fontwell and the Exeter in October 2018 for Philip Hobbs. The win in Exeter was his maiden hurdle as 1/4 favourite. He took a victory by a neck in that one.
Prudhomme took a fourth place finish at Ffos las in November 2019. He was well back of winner Holly James. That saw him miss out on a chance at three straight wins having claimed successes at 1m 7f Class 4 efforts at Ffos Las and Uttoxeter. He may well have more appeal for punters because of his recent run outs at the back end of last year. Either way they are scrapping it out as 7/2 joint favourites* (betting odds taken from Coral on January 6th, 2020 at 5:32 pm).
Can Diamond Gait push the favourites?
Mare Diamond Gait finished third of eleven at Huntingdon over a 1m 7f distance in early December. She was only beaten out by half a length as well behind Tea Clipper. So that should put her in good stead. But that was after not really hitting the mark at the full 2m distance in a couple of races prior. So that will just be a question mark, whether or not she can deliver above the 2m for this stiff challenge, but has been well supported early on at 5/1* (betting odds taken from Coral on January 6th, 2020 at 5:32 pm). She is stepping up 4lbs.
Can Colonel Custard cut it?
A winner of two hurdles along with a NH flat at 2m to 2m 1f, Colonel Custard could be in the frame in this fixture. His last outing was at Kempton in December 2019. He was well beaten into fifth place there. Colonel Custard will be a couple of pounds lighter for this one. So that could see him pull into a nice each way option at 10/1* (betting odds taken from Coral on January 6th, 2020 at 5:32 pm) for the Taunton 3.00 pm.
Flashing Glance comes back to action after a fifth place for Tom Lacey at Wincanton at 1m 7f in December last year. That was from a 4/1 quote and eight lengths back of winner Scaramanga. Though his career he has won over the hurdles four times at the 2m mark. So this is a step up in trip for him. He looked useful enough in winning at Kempton at the 2m in November last year in higher class company.
Predictions
Tough to call with Earth Moor having been out of action for a year, but in being well treated, he could make a positive return as he looked useful enough before the extended break. Diamond Gait is a very interesting entry but this is a big step up in trip and weight for her to handle. So there switches a little bit of appeal back to Flashing Glance who looked tidy in winning at Kempton and could pull himself into the picture.
Coral Fail To Finish Offer For Taunton
All of Tuesday, January 7th races from Taunton will be covered by the Coral Fail to Finish offer. If your horse fails to finish, Coral will give you a free bet up to the value of £10. Place a £1+ win or each-way bet on any of the races at the nominated meeting to qualify. It doesn’t matter whether the jockey’s unseated, the horse pulls up, or even refuses to race, Coral will return a Free Bet up to £10 within 24 hours.
Key Terms & Conditions
To claim this Sports Promotion, place a real money £/€1 win or each way single bet on any of the selected races shown above, between 6pm UK time the day before the selected race meeting up until the respective race start time, and if your horse fails to finish the race* we’ll credit up to £10 of your total stake as a free bet (“Qualifying Bet”).
This Sports Promotion is only redeemable against your first real money qualifying bet in the applicable races. If multiple selections are added to bet slip the offer will count towards the lowest bet receipt number (ie the first selection added to the slip).
Where you fully OR partially “Cash Out” your Qualifying Bet prior to it being settled, no free horse racing bets will be credited to your account as part of this Sports Promotion.
Any free horse racing bets that you are entitled to under this Sports Promotion will be credited to your Account within 24 hours of your Qualifying Bet being settled.
Maximum one free bet per customer per selected race.
Any free horse racing bet must be used within 7 days of being credited to your account, otherwise it will expire. Free bets cannot be redeemed for cash at any time.
18+ Please Gamble Responsibly. See Coral for full T&Cs.
