Brendan Powell: “I’d be disappointed if he didn’t go very close”

Jockey Brendan Powell previews his four rides at Taunton on Thursday

Taunton 1.00 – Per Vino Veritas

I’m off to Taunton for four rides. It’s a track similar to Wincanton in that the going there never gets too soft, and it’s also a sharp track, favouring the speed horses. The chase fences are generally fair, although the third last, the first in the home straight, can catch a novice out as the ground just falls away there, but a horse would certainly learn plenty here.

Per Vino Veritas comes here off a layoff, he has shown glimpses of form previously but has strengthened up well over the summer, and off his current mark of 94 I would hope he would be very competitive in this handicap.

Taunton 1.35 – Brentford Hope

Brentford Hope was quite a classy flat horse, rated over 100, and he made a lovely start to his hurdling career when finishing second at Ludlow last month, when he probably just bumped into one on the day. This doesn’t look the strongest race and I’d be hopeful he will go very well here.

The Paul Nicholls runner [Rubaud] is a last time out winner but as a result he does have to carry a seven pounds penalty which would give my fellow every chance. I schooled him earlier in the week and he went very well and I would be disappointed if he didn’t go very close.

Taunton 2.08 – Kauto The King

Kauto The King (pictured below) loves good ground, which he gets here, and he’s been great for the yard and connections, winning plenty of times. This trip is right up his street too, and while this is only a small field, it does look wide open so I don’t think any of the six could be ruled out, including my horse.