TAUNTON'S first of three meetings this month, which gets underway at 2.05pm, has attracted 52 runners who will competing for a slice of the whopping prizepot of £55k.

All of the top trainers Paul Nicholls, Colin Tizzard, David Pipe, Gary Moore and Jonjo O’Neill are represented - and with leading jockeys Tom Scudamore, Noel Fehily, Daryl Jacob and Paddy Brenan booked for rides, another good afternoon of jumps action looks to be in store for local punters.

The biggest race of the day is The Clarke Willmott Novices’ Limited Handicap Steeple (Class 3) at 3.50pm, where the lightest weight Vazaro Delafayette for Pipe with Scudamore on is likely to attract attention, while for better value Sandy Beach from the Tizzard yard is worth looking at.

The Exmoor Trim Handicap Hurdle Race, at 4.25pm is also a Class 3 event, where Rock n Rhythm trained by O’Neill and ridden by Richie McLernon looks good while Tornado in Milan from Evan Williams yard always perform well at Taunton.

A courtesy coach leaves Taunton Railway Station two hours before the off and returns from the course 30 minutes after the start of the last race.