RACING at Taunton in 2014 will be quick to get into its stride when the first of three meetings in January is held on Monday.

The seven race card gets underway at 1pm with the Marion Dusting Birthday Celebration Hurdle over 3m ½f.

The big race of the afternoon is The Bathwick Tyres Handicap Steeplechase over 2m ½f at 2pm.

Taunton-based Associated Roofing and Maintenance Ltd are sponsoring the Handicap Hurdle Race over 3m ½f half an hour later.

The Geoffrey Bosley Tally Ho Memorial Open Hunters’ Steeplechase, dedicated to the former Master Huntsman of the West Somerset Foxhounds and run over 2m 7½f, is next up at 3.30pm.

Taunton host their first-ever Saturday meeting on January 18 which should make for another big day in the local racing calendar.

Racegoers are reminded that a courtesy bus service departs from Taunton Railway Station an hour before the off, picking up at the bus station on Castle Green near the town centre soon after. It returns from the course 30 minutes after the final race.

n Taunton are offering substantial discounts at two of their three meetings this month with the first available next Monday. Punters who buy a Grandstand ticket for the 2014 opener will receive a second free – offering an excellent way to get the New Year off to a flying start. The second offer applies to the meeting on January 28 when all racegoers can gain admission for £10.

Both offers are only available on-line and must be booked at least 48 hours in advance at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk