Horse racing Taunton review: Bally glee for Buckler

A review of Monday's action at Taunton where Ballyegan confirmed his love for the venue once more.

Bob Buckler's Ballyegan is quickly earning himself a reputation as something of a Taunton specialist and followed up his win last week in the Bathwick Tyres Yeovil Handicap Chase.

Winning at the West Country venue for the fourth time, Ballyegan made every yard of the running under Liam Heard.

Sent off the 6/4 favourite, the 10-year-old jumped out to his left early on but warmed to his task and won for the second time over time miles in seven days, having spent the rest of his career running over nearly a mile further.

"It doesn't matter what trip he runs over to me as long as he wins!" Buckler said.

"He loves bowling along in front. I was a bit worried that he was jumping to his left early, but they all followed him.

"I thought the grey (Green Du Ciel) might catch him turning into the straight but he found more and did the job.

"He's versatile. It shows how much I know because I didn't think he'd be quick enough to win over two miles."

For Paul Nicholls it was a case of back to the day job after the thrills and spills at Cheltenham last week and he was again among the winners.

Running in the famous Graham Roach silks, It's A Close Call (8/11 favourite), appreciated the better ground and was not hard pressed to win the Bathwick Tyres Midsomer Norton "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle by nine lengths.

"He's going to make a cracking chaser. He'd been struggling with his breathing on deep ground in the winter so we've waited for some better ground and he probably wants it better still," said Nicholls, who also saddled the third, Abidjan.

"He'll probably go to Cheltenham in April and then we'll send him chasing in the autumn."

Paul O'Brien was seen to good effect on Colin Tizzard's Wizards Bridge (5/2) in the Bathwick Tyres Taunton Handicap Hurdle.

Involved in a ding-dong battle up the straight with The Road Ahead, O'Brien managed to force his mount home to win by a head.

O'Brien told At The Races: "He battled well after the last.

"He was on and off the bridle but he kept plenty for the finish.

"I've ridden him a few times at home and he'll make a lovely chaser."

Sean Bowen, rider of the runner-up, The Road Ahead, was given a four-day ban (March 30 and 31 and April 1 and 2) for using his whip above the permitted level.

David Pipe was in double form, winning both divisions of the Bathwick Tyres Novices' Hurdle.

In the first division, the newcomer Perspicace (100/30) ran out an impressive winner in the colours of Pipe's father, Martin.

A 77-rated maiden on the Flat for Roger Charlton, Pipe paid 40,000 guineas and he looks the type to excel in the summer months.

Later on the card Vayland (1/2 favourite) had to be pushed out to land the odds by two and a quarter lengths. Tom Scudamore was on board both.

Having fallen on his last start at Newbury in December behind Value At Risk, he has the make and shape of a chaser.

Jeremy Scott had a welcome winner as Gunna Be A Devil (11/2) benefited from a power-packed ride from Matt Griffiths in the Bathwick Tyres Handicap Chase, while Marju's Quest (3/1) made just about every yard of the running to win the finale under Noel Fehily.