Saturday Horse Racing Predictions by Stephen Harris at Taunton and Newbury

Harry Derham is very much a young trainer to follow over the next few years, and his unexposed novice has been found a terrific opening to get off the mark at Taunton on Saturday.

He has run three times over timber since arriving from France, showing promise in fair maiden and novice company, and shaped a lot better than the bare result when only third on handicap debut at Lingfield earlier in the month (doing too much too soon and wilting after the last on easy ground).

This speed track on goodish ground should play to his strengths (free-going sort with plenty of speed), and a more patient ride is on the cards with the excellent Alice Stevens taking over in the saddle.

Robert Walford’s tough and durable mare has win 4 of her 31 starts over hurdles, and simply did not stay 2m3f when disappointing last time out at Taunton earlier in the month.

She travelled very strongly there until her stamina ran out two hurdles from home, and this drop back to two miles should suit ideally on some decent eased ground expected at Newbury on Saturday.

A strong pace should be on the cards in this valuable Class 3 handicap, and she can weave her way through late and defy top weight at a rewarding price.

Neil Mulholland’s maiden ran to a decent level in defeat over hurdles in eight attempts, usually strong in the market against some useful novices at the top tracks, and there was something to take from his latest chasing effort at Southwell in December. He was dropped out there on drying ground and not given a hard time at any stage, eventually running on very strongly for a closing third behind The Skiffle King.

He is sure to do a lot better if ridden with more enterprise with some cut in the ground, and much more positive tactics at this much sharper track could see him in a completely different light under the excellent 3lb claimer Harry Kimber.