Taunton’s Ladies Day meeting this afternoon (Thursday) is going ahead despite the fact that almost 40mm if rain has fallen at the Orchard Portman course over the last five days.

Forty-eight horses have been declared and the first of the seven races on the card is due off at 2.10pm.

A number of leading trainers have got runners including Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs, Venetia Williams Colin Tizzard and Harry Fry and leading jockeys Nick Schofield and Aidan Coleman are among those booked to ride.

The most valuable race on the card is The totetrifects Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) over two miles three furlongs at 4.30pm, which has a prize fund of £13,500.

Two horses likely to be in contention here are the top weights Dicosimo trained by Warren Greatrex and Canelie from Harry Fry’s yard.

In addition to the racing, the winner of the Best Dressed Lady competition, sponsored by Dave Criddle Travel, will win a weekend for two in Rome.

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