The loss of Haydock Park’s meeting on Friday to frost leaves a big hole in the day’s programme, as the top-class Buveur D’Air was due to line up for his second start over fences amid a series of competitive and fascinating events, but the meeting at Taunton incudes a Listed event for mares and that has survived an inspection while Newcastle also pulls its weight with an eight-race Flat card on the Tapeta.
Coillte Lass (3.00) could be the answer to the Listed event for mares at Taunton. Paul Nicholls’s mare is two-from-two in novice hurdles so far, showing plenty of enthusiasm both times and jumping much better on her second start than she had on her first. Dusky Legend is likely to start favourite for this race and is trading at a shade of odds-on, but Alan King’s admirable six-year-old has many more miles on the clock and may be coming up a rival with the potential to beat her this afternoon.
Related: Horse racing tips: Friday 30 December
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