LOCAL trainer Philip Hobbs gave punters plenty to cheer about on a very cold but sunny afternoon at Taunton last week when Midnight Midge scored his second victory in as many appearances at the track when he won the Dave Criddle Travel Handicap Chase.

Taunton race again on Wednesday December 21 when the first of the seven races on the card which has a very generous prize pot of £67k up for grabs goes tppost at 12.50pm.

The most valuable race on the card is The Newton King Estate Agents handicap Steeple Chase over three and a quarter miles which is due off at 2.20pm and has a prize pot of £12400.

This is followed half an hour later by The Stables Business Park Handicap Hurdle over two miles and half a furlong when £10,100 is up for grabs in prizes.

The longest event on the card is The Taunton Racecourse Business nClub Handicap Hurdle race at 3.30pm which runs over jts a few yards short of three miles.

Somerset County Gazette: Tom Scudamore below being led back to the winners enclosure at Fontwell Park last week aboard his 50th winnerTom Scudamore below being led back to the winners enclosure at Fontwell Park last week aboard his 50th winner (Image: Contributed)

Racegoers are reminded that they can take advantage of the generous discount that it on offer if they purchase their tickets in advance on-line before 12noon on the day prior to racing.

A courtesy coach service departs from outside Platform 5 of Taunton Railway Station 90 minutes before the off returning from the course half an hour after the star pf the last.

Taunton’s big meeting of the season is on Friday 30th December when the first race on the card is due off at 12.55pm.

This fixture is always very busy so the advice is to buy tickets well in advance on-line and get to the course well before the racing action gets underway to avoid any disappointment.

To book tickets on-line and for all other information log onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk

Congratulations to Tom Scudamore who notched up his 50th winner of the season when he rode the David Pipe trainer Jilaijone to victory at 22-1at Fontwell Park last week.