LOCAL racegoers turned out in force to attend the William Hill Free Race Meeting at Taunton on Monday afternoon.

With the sun shining and good fields in all but one of the races almost 2800 were in attendance an increase of 400 on the last time that the Orchard Portman hosted the same meeting- continuing the trend that punters love their racing locally and turn out in numbers to show it.

Exmoor based trainer Nicky Martin enjoyed a successful day, and was unlucky to have to settle for second place in the feature race before winning the last.

In The Stayers Handicap Chase over three and a half miles the Withypool handler’s The Two Amigos ridden by David Pritchard, went off strongly at 11-4. He led from the start, but coming down home straight Kevin Brogan produced Harry Fry’s horse Revels Hill the 7-4 favourite at just the right time and he went onto win by three lengths.

Martin’s disappointment was short lived however when My Last Oscar (12-1) ridden by Pritchard who is a five pound claimer, won the final race a Handicap Hurdle over three miles by one and a half lengths.

Taunton race again on Thursday 7th April when they host their ever popular Ladies Day Meeting when the first action on the course is set to get underway at 2pm.

Taunton Racecourse have a special limited offer available on Ladies Day of a glass of bubbly, an entry ticket, private viewing, a racecard and afternoon tea all for just £40- but hurry this offer is strictly limited. To book your place and be in with a chance of winning a Weekend in Paris for Two email troy@tauntonracecourse.co.uk.

To take advantage of the up to 40% discounts available please book tickets in advance before 12 noon the day prior to racing by logging onto tauntonracecourse.co.uk.

Taunton bring the curtain on the 2021-22 season with their Evening Meeting on Thursday 21st April when the first race starts at 5.23pm.