Taunton host the first of three meetings this month on Thursday when the action is due to get underway at 1.45pm.

In order to try to ensure that racing can go ahead at the Orchard Portman course this coming week, with the agreement of the British Horseracing Authority, the meeting will be an all hurdle affair consisting of six races and finishing with a National Hunt Flat Race.

Sadly the wet weather has put paid to there being any chance of racing over the chase course, where the fences are permanent fixtures, whereas the hurdle course, with moveable obstacles, will be rearranged to take advantage of the best available ground.

The big race of the day is the Bathwick Handicap Novices’ Hurdle, which is a Class 3 event with prize money of £10,500 up for grabs.

Bob Young the chief executive at Taunton Racecourse said: " We are disappointed that the weather has caused us to abandon our last two meetings, so we are hedging our bets and running an all hurdle card this coming week for the first time ever."

Taunton race again on Tuesday, February 19 during which the presentation for the Racecourse Groundstaff Award for the best Jump Racecourse in 2012 will be made by the sponsors Pitchcare and will be shown with Luke Harvey live on At The Races after the 2.45pm race.

The third February meeting is on Thursday 28.

Local racegoers are reminded that they can obtain considerable discounts if they book their Taunton tickets on-line 48 hours in advance by logging onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk