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Horse Racing

Make sure you Listentoyourheart at Taunton

December 2024

Listentoyourheart can make it back-to-back Listed wins for Dan Skelton in the Byerley Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Taunton on Monday.

A quality bumper performer last term, the five-year-old has made the smoothest of transitions to the jumping game with three successive wins.

Following wide-margin verdicts at Market Rasen and Newbury, Listentoyourheart stepped up to Listed class at the latter venue a month ago and proved more than up to the task as she knuckled down to see off a talented rival in the eventual runner-up Rula Bula.

The Skelton runner is difficult to oppose as she goes in search of the four-timer in Somerset.

Paul Nicholls rarely leaves Taunton without a winner and it is not too difficult to make a strong case for his Jackpot Des Bordes in the Stables Business Park Novices' Hurdle.

The five-year-old stepped up markedly on his hurdling debut at Exeter to win at this venue in late November and while he did not always convince in the jumping department, there is plenty of scope for improvement after just four lifetime starts.

Gaboriot can put a rare blip at Doncaster a couple of weeks ago behind him with victory in the Betfred Last Fling Handicap Chase at Haydock.

The eight-year-old enjoyed an excellent campaign last season for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, winning handicaps at Kempton and Doncaster before notching a hat-trick in the hunter chase sphere.

He made a nice return to action over the Grand National fences at Aintree last month, finishing third behind subsequent Cheltenham scorer King Turgeon, and was well-fancied for a valuable handicap back at Doncaster a couple of weeks ago.

For whatever reason Gaboriot struggled to make a major impact on Town Moor, with a couple of jumping errors setting the tone for a slightly underwhelming display.

It may be that 4800m on a decent surface around Doncaster proved sharp enough for him and he is expected to be seen in a better light as he steps up to 5600m in more demanding conditions on Merseyside.

Indeevar Bleu looks a likely winner for Olly Murphy in the Betfred "Classic Bookmaker" EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.

The 12-length Wetherby bumper scorer disappointed on his hurdling debut at Ayr in November of last year, although that did turn out to be a decent race.

Indeevar Blue was not seen for the remainder of last season, but proved his ability remains intact when making the most of what looked a gilt-edged opportunity at Leicester earlier in the month, winning on heavy ground without breaking sweat. He is fancied to follow up.

A chance is taken on Bushypark in the Betfred Nifty 50 Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

his eight-time winner was pulled up on his seasonal debut at Lingfield in early December, but has won on three of his four visits to Haydock and loves heavy ground.

He is not badly treated on the pick of his form and with trainer Phil Kirby having been among the winners over the Christmas period, it would be no surprise to see Bushypark bounce back to form. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Monday. Here are the tips.

HAYDOCK: Race 1: 14.30 Bushypark, Race 2: 15.00 Indeevar Bleu, Race 3: 15.30 Idalko Bihoue, Race 4: 16.00 Galassian, Race 5: 16.35 Eagles Reprieve, Race 6: 17.10 Gaboriot, Race 7: 17.45 For Pleasure.

TAUNTON: Race 1: 14.45 Jackpot Des Bordes, Race 2: 15.15 Clotilda, Race 3: 15.45 Langley Hundred, Race 4: 16.17 LISTENTOYOURHEART (NAP), Race 5: 16.52 Tiny Tetley, Race 6: 17.27 Getupearly, Race 7: 18.00 Bread And Butter.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 17.55 Charlie's Choice, Race 2: 18.30 Bear Rock, Race 3: 19.00 Queen Himiko, Race 4: 19.30 Popular Dream, Race 5: 20.00 Laura's Breeze, Race 6: 20.30 Bernie The Bear, Race 7: 21.00 Crimson Sand, Race 8: 21.30 Kit Gabriel, Race 9: 22.00 Major Major.

ALL TO COME: Listentoyourheart (Taunton, Race 4) and Gaboriot (Haydock, Race 6).

 

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