THE rain that fell for much of the day couldnt dampen the spirits of racegoers who turned out in good numbers to support Taunton’s Evening Meeting last Thursday- the final fixture of this season.

Despite the wet, and muddy ground there was once again some very exciting races and close finishes just like there has been throughout the year at the Orchard Portman course.

The feature race was The Charles Clark Memorial Novices’ handicap Steeple Chase, dedicated to the late Charles Clark who was Chairman of Somerset CCC and a well known figure in the farming and racing world, who sadly passed away in 2029.

The race over two miles seven furlongs was won by Lounge Lizard , trained by Henry Daly at Ludlow and ridden by Harry Cobden who went off 9-4 favourite.

After the race the Charles Clark Memorial Trophy was presented by his widow Rebecca Pow who is the Member of Parliament for Taunton Deane.

Elsewhere three of the six races on the card were won by West Somerset trainers- Jeremy Scott who is based at Brompton Regis notched up a double while Nicky Martin from Withypool won the first.

The Orchard Portman Course  will be hosting a Royal Ascot Lunch on Saturday 24th June, which will include a drink on arrival, two course lunch. racing host, in house bookmaker and afternoon all for just £39 per person.

The 2023-24 season starts at Taunton Racecourse on Thursday 16th November , when they host the first of four meetings before the end of the year, the others being on Thursday’s 30th November and 14th December before the big meeting on Saturday 30th December.

To book tickets or to find out more  log onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk