Emma Lavelle is hoping the meeting at Taunton on Saturday beats the weather and ground conditions are not too testing so she can give Claret Cloak an outing ahead of next month's Betfair Hurdle.

The Andover trainer is targeting the big handicap at Newbury on February 9, but would like to get a run into him before then as Claret Cloak has not seen racecourse action since he filled third place behind Raya Star at Ascot in early November.

The Better Prices On Betfair Mobile Handicap Hurdle at Taunton fits in nicely but the British winter is putting those plans in jeopardy.

"It's just ground, we're having a nightmare. If it's on and it's soft he'll probably run," said Lavelle.

"It's not ideal but we're trying to get him out if we possibly can. Obviously he hasn't run since Ascot and it's just so frustrating.

"Ideally what we wanted to do was to go to Taunton and give him a pipe-opener because he hasn't run for a while, with a view to then going to Newbury.

"Ground within reason is key to him. He's well handicapped so we'd probably run him on slightly softer ground than ideal in the hope that he might be well-in gives us a bit of leeway, but it's not ideal at the moment.

"If Taunton was off he would have to go straight to Newbury. I don't think there's much else for him before then."

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests