The annual Taunton Vale Bank Holiday meeting has always attracted a huge crowd with regulars and "once-a-year racegoers" keen to be entertained after overdosing the day before on Easter Eggs and hot-cross buns and the switch in venue to Cothelstone or dreary grey day did not deter them. Long queues of traffic could be seen in the approaching lanes for some time and those sensible enough to get there early were treated to seven excellent races. The theme of the day seemed to be "Young and Old(er)" with riding doubles for rising star Charlie Sprake bagging his second in a week while Will Biddick did not let his supporters down. A first winning ride for Ella Herbison in the finale and the evergreen Caid du Berlais giving a masterclass in "class is eternal" in the feature race were further highlights.

Will Biddick kicked off his double in the opener on the in-form Beau du Brizais who was winning for the third time this season for the Notre Cheval Partnership. Making all the running, the odds-on favourite was briefly challenged by Kilronan Castle but easily shrugged him aside to win by just under 2 lengths. Will explained "he was literally doing nothing in front and only locked on when he heard the other horse." Trainer Teresa Clark admitted that he only just did enough but had got the most excitement later when he saw the hounds parading on the course as she regularly took him out hunting which he thoroughly enjoys.

Will's second winner was on Nobodydoesitbetter in the Intermediate in which the two runners matched strides for a long way until Will injected some pace down the back straight. "In front and in command" was the commentator, Dan Davis' comment and the favourite finished some 40 lengths clear of his rival. Trainer Andrew Jackson said afterwards that the ground wasn't ideal for him but he had wanted to support Will in his title race as they has been friends for a long time. He credited his wife Olivia with doing all the hard work with the horse who he owns in partnership with Derek Lovell, as he had been fragile to train.

Imogen's Thunder too had been afflicted in the early part of the season but has bounced back to form for trainer Mary Tory winning for the second time in just over a week when taking the Conditions race under Charlie Sprake. Charlie initially settled the favourite in behind the leader but he soon found himself in front and only Little Billy Boy was able to stay with him. A thrilled Mary explained that he was found to be suffering from a respiratory infection after his seasonal debut which needed treatment with antibiotics. "He seems to have come back better than ever," she said while adding that his jumping was so good, he could have made an event horse.

The winning jockey had earlier taken the Maiden Conditions race on Balinesker Beach for trainer Stuart Penny for whom it was the first winner of the season. Owner's son Chris Awdry was on hand to collect the trophy on behalf of his mother and explained that "this is for my later father, Pat Awdry who was such a supporter of Pointing." A relieved Stuart thought he would probably go for a Restricted race next possibly over the same distance but he could get an easy 3 miles as well.

The veteran Caid du Berlais has been one of the classiest recruits to Pointing in recent years winning the Foxhunters at Punchestown twice adding to his Rules CV that included the Paddy Power Gold Cup. And he proved that his advancing years make little difference when adding to his unbeaten Pointing record under Natalie Parker. He was so superior to his rivals that Natalie was struggling to hold him and it was a case of when she was going to let her foot off the brake. When she did so, she instantly put 20 lengths between herself and eventual second, Finisher with Duc Kauto back in third. Winning for the third time this season on him, a smiling Natalie did admit that he is currently her favourite pointer now that Virak has become the ride of Olive Nicholls. Trainer Sam Loxton thought he would probably now keep him fresh for the Ladies race at Stratford.

Jockey Lucy Mager was winning her fifth race at Cothelstone when she took the Restricted race on Halloween Harry whom she also trains. Co-favourite Mad For Action took up the running after leader Spike's Princess fell with Lucy biding her time on Halloween Harry. Joining the leader at the second last, she kicked on to record an 8 length verdict over Mad For Action at the line. Lucy explained that she bought the horse from James Ridley as a fun pointer for owners Jeff Fear and Paul Brace and would hopefully return to the course for the Weston & Banwell meeting in May.

The finale was an Open Maiden which saw the biggest field with 14 runners going to post and was won by Pyleigh Court giving Ella Herbison her first ever winner in what looked a very accomplished ride. Ella works for Philip Hobbs and rides out one of the stable's stars, Thyme Hill, every day. She has also ridden in a few races under Rules for the yard including a second on Rolling Dylan in November. Brought up around horses, Ella was taught to ride locally by former amateur jockey, Barry Venn in Bradford on Tone.