TAUNTON stage the first of three meetings this month when they race tomorrow when the first of the seven races on the card which carries a huge £55,000 in prizes is due off at 2.05pm, writes Richard Walsh.

The entire meeting is sponsored by supporters of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, an independent research and education charity that carries out scientific research into game and wildlife in the countryside.

The action kicks off with The UK Game Fair Selling Hurdle over two miles three furlongs which is followed at 2.40pm by The Chetwood Wealth Management Supporting GWCT Novices’ Hurdle over the same distance.

Next up is the longest race of the afternoon, The Jackson-Stops and Staff Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, which runs over three miles.

There are two Class 3 events on the card, the first of which is The Clarke Willmott Novices’ Limited Handicap Steeple Chase over two miles and seven furlongs, at 3.50pm which has a whopping £13,000 up for grabs and is the richest of the day.

This is followed by The Exmoor Trim Handicap Hurdle Race, also Class 3 over two miles three furlongs which has £10,000 on offer in prizes.

The Gibbs Handicap Steeple Chase over two miles two furlongs is next to post before the racing concludes at 5.35pm with The A.W.Rule and Son Gun Makers Ltd Handicap Hurdle Race over two miles three.

Punters are reminded that they can take advantage of the discounted prizes on offer – up to 20% by ordering their tickets online before 10am on the day prior to racing.

Looking further ahead racegoers are reminded that a limited number of FREE Grandstand tickets are available for Taunton’s meeting on Monday, March 14, but these are strictly limited so the advice is to apply early.

On Friday, March 10, Taunton Racecourse will be hosting a Cheltenham Preview Evening starting at 7pm that will be hosted by Richard Pitman and featuring Philip Hobbs, Paul Nicholls. David Pipe and Tom Scudamore, tickets for which cost £15 per person.

To find out more about any of the above events or to take advantage of these offers log onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk