Taurus Bay Leaves Big Names Behind at Rising Stars

At Aintree on Saturday, Taurus Bay started his chasing career with a win in the Boodles Rising Stars Novices' Chase. After the last fence, the horse put up a tough fight against Talk To The Man and won by 1.25 lengths. Ben Jones rode the winner.

Before the race, the market had focused mainly on No Drama This End, trained by Paul Nicholls. Starting as the 8-11 favourite, the horse ran out of steam as it approached the last fence and could not win. Talk To The Man, trained by Dan Skelton, was in good form.

Ben Pauling reminded everyone that Taurus Bay won two novice hurdle races last season and ran a tough race at Cheltenham. According to the trainer, the horse will improve with the experience gained in this race. Pauling said the horse had never raced away from home and was not heavily built, so he did not want to push him too hard early in the season.

Carrying the colours of Harry Redknapp, Taurus Bay may fill the gap left by The Jukebox Man, the King George winner who could not race due to injury. The horse drew attention by winning a Grade 2 race on his first chase attempt.