THERE seems to be no stopping West Somerset trainers Philip Hobbs and Johnson White who continued their rich vein of form when they notched up a treble at Taunton Races, their second in successive meetings at the Orchard Portman course, while stable jockey Micheal Nolan and owners Gwent Holdings both enjoyed a double.

First up for the duo was French Ship who won the opener, a novices’ hurdle over two miles and three furlongs under Nolan after going off as the 4-11 favourite.

The West Somerset pairing made it two out of two when The Hardest Geezer won the second, a maiden hurdle race over two miles and 104 yards, ridden by Sean Houlihan, going off at 5-4.

The joint trainers did not have a runner in the third but in the fourth a Class 3 handicap hurdle race over two miles three furlongs and one yard Tom Doniphon ridden by Nolan won at 4-6.

This brings Sandhill Racing Stables total of winners for the current season to 30.

Johnson White, who is the joint licence holder with Philip Hobbs, said: “To have any treble is just fantastic but to have two at Taunton in such quick succession and a third at Exeter atl our local tracks is really special, and there were good local crowds there to support us.

“To enjoy this sort of success is great for the yard and everyone who is involved here with us. With all of the staff working so hard during the winter months it’s a nice payback for them, It’s also great for the winning owners and great for the other owners knowing that all the horses are in good form and running well.

“It’s not a bad shop window to hopefully attract some new owners as well.”

Johnson then talked about the horses that featured in the treble at Taunton racecourse last week. "French Ship is a very nice progressive horse that just needs race practice to get everything together and its getting that way. The Hardest Geezer had won a bumper before we bought him and he will be a nice horse over hurdles once he settles.

“We are really pleased with Tom Doniphon winning at both meetings and he is very progressive over hurdles but he will be a very nice over a further distance and over fences next year.

“It was also great to have a double for Gwent Holdings who have got five horses with us .

Looking forward to Cheltenham which is now less than two months away Johnson said: “All the plans are reasonably fluid and we will have several to go there but they will all have another run before Cheltenham to determine whether they go there and which races that they might run in nearer the time.”

Meanwhile local punters have got plenty of local action to look forward to over the next few weeks.They race next at Taunton on Saturday 18th January when they host their Saturday Meeting when the first event on the card gets underway at 12.45pm.

Racing comes thick and fast at The Orchard Portman track In February when they host three meetings, Tuesdays 4th and 18th and then on Thursday 27th February.

To find out more and to take advantage of the generous discounts available log onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk