Taunton racegoers were treated to another good afternoon of racing on Tuesday when the exciting action on the course which included a number of very close finishes was matched by the weather, writes Richard Walsh.

This was National Hunt racing at its best and was enjoyed by a good sized crowd which included a group of pupils from Blackbrook Primary in Taunton who were there as part of the Racing to School initiative.

Once again local trainers were prominent, much to the delight of Taunton punters- Nicky Martin won the first when Almost Gotaway under Welsh Grand National winning jockey David Pritchard won by a neck from the Paul Nicholls trained Fame and Fun.

Nigel Hawke’s Professor Calculus a 28-1 shot under David Noonan led from the off and won the second by six lengths, before Jeremy Scott’s Stormy Flight under Rex Dingle triumphed in the third.

Harry Cobden rode Killaloan to victory for Nicholls in the fifth race, while Ben Bromley rode Hay There Mona to victory for Harry Fry in the Martyn Priddle Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

Racing comes thick and fast in March at Taunton where they host the first of four meetings on Thursday 2nd with a six race card worth a total of almost £56k, when the action kicks off at 1.40pm.

There are two races with a prize fund of £12,300 the first of which is The Invest Southwest Mares’ Handicap Steeple Chase over two miles five and a half furlongs at 2.50pm.

This is followed by the longest race on the card The Stables Business Park Handicap Hurdle at 3.25pm over just shy of three miles which has £9500 on offer in prizes.

The Richard Williams Memorial Handicap Steeple Chase over two miles seven furlongs is the other race with £12,300 up for grabs and goes to post at 4pm.

Taunton offer very generous discounts of up to 20% and these are available up to 12 noon on the day prior to racing by purchasing on-line at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk

Taunton host Free Racing on Monday 13th March, the day prior to the start of the Cheltenham Festival, which means exactly what is says. To obtain a maximum of four tickets each, applicants need to apply on-line before 6th March.

A courtesy coach service picks up from outside Platform 5 of Taunton Railway Station 90 minutes before the first race, returning from the course  half an hour after the start of the last.

To order tickets and for all other information please log onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk