RACEGOERS can get into the mood for the Cheltenham Festival when Taunton host their second meeting of the month on Monday, when the first of the seven race card goes to post at 2.20pm.

With a going of soft, a good weather forecast and 69 runners declared another exciting afternoon of National Hunt racing looks to be in store.

All of the leading trainers have entries including Paul Nicholls, Alan King, Venetia Williams, David Pipe, Philip Hobbs and Colin Tizzard, while top jockeys Tom Scudamore, Sam Twistor-Davies Aidan Coleman and Richard Johnson are all booked for rides.

The big race of the day is the Bathwick Tyres Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 3 event, at 3.55 pm over three and a half miles, the longest on the card where Ballyoliver ridden by Charlie Deutsch, a five pound claimer and trained by Venetia Williams is well worth a look as is Masters Hill from the Tizzard’s yard.

Punters are reminded that a courtesy coach service departs from Taunton Railway Station two hours before the first race and returns from the course 30 minutes after the start of the last.

For further information log onto www.tauntonracecours.co.uk