THE stage is all set at Taunton Racecourse for them to host the Portman Cup Meeting on Saturday, January 21 when the first race get going at 12.47pm

This is by far the most valuable raceday of the year at the Orchard Portman course with the total prize money for the seven races amounting to a huge £122,599.

The feature race and the one with the biggest prize on offer- a massive £28,616 to the winning owner is The Stables Business Park Ltd Portman Cup Steeple Chase over a distance of three miles four and a half furlongs which is due off at 3.47pm.

The management at Taunton Racecourse are grateful to The Stables Business Park for their continuing support.

For the last three years the Portman Cup has been won by the Paul Nicholls trained Yala Enki under Bryony Frost, who will be looking to make it four in a row in 2023, but with a different horse.

On Saturday Frost will will be riding Frodon, another Nicholls trained horse, who she has enjoyed considerable success with having steered it to 11 victories.

The 11-year-old bay gelding last won at Wincanton on November 5, since when he has been third on two occasions, the first at Haydock a fortnight later and at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. 

Among the special guests in attendance on Saturday afternoon will be The Honourable Mrs Rosemary Pease, the daughter of the fifth Viscount Portman who owned the land on which Taunton Racecourse was built and in whose honour the race is named.

Saturday looks to be another great afternoon of National Hunt racing actuion so why nnot go along and enjoy all the action.

Generous discounts are available to those buying tickets on line before 12 noon on the day prior to racing, so to take advantage of this and for all other information log onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk

Punters are reminded that a courtesy coach departs from outside Platform 5 of Taunton Railway Station 90 minutes before the off and returns from the course half an hour after the start of the last.

For those who are unable to go along The Portman Cup will be televised on ITV Racing on Saturday afternoon.