TAUNTON Racecourse kick off the 2019/20 National Hunt season on Wednesday, October 30 when they host their Spooktacular Hallowe’en Meeting, writes Richard Walsh.

This comprises seven races, starting at 1.30pm, which have a whopping prize fund on £67,920 on offer.

The afternoon starts with the Cornish Rock Gin Hands and Heels Handicap Hurdle Race over two miles three furlongs.

This is followed 30 minutes later by the Taunton Racecourse Owners Club Handicap Hurdle Race over three miles - the longest of the day.

The Taunton Business Club Maiden Hurdle Race, over two miles and half a furlong, is next up at 2.30pm before the Thatchers Cider Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase, over two miles, which has a very generous prize fund of £11,800 and goes to post half an hour later.

The most valuable race of the day is the Invest Southwest “Confined” Handicap Hurdle, a Class 3 event over two miles and half a furlong, which has £13,300 up for grabs.

The penultimate race is the Muscular Dystrophy UK Handicap Steeple Chase over two miles and five and a half furlongs at 4pm.

The afternoon concludes with the Hatch Fireworks 2019@Taunton Racecourse Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race over two miles and half a furlong.

Punters are reminded that they can take advantage of the up to 40% discount that is available on tickets purchased online in advance up to midday the day before racing.

A courtesy coach service departs from Taunton railway station one and a half hours before racing begins and returns from the course 30 minutes after the start of the last.

For tickets and more information, see www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk.