AFTER losing the opening meeting to hard ground, Taunton will get their 2016-17 season underway next Thursday (November 24) with a six-race card carrying a very generous prize fund of £52,000, which includes a Group Three event worth £18k.

The action begins at 12.45pm with the IRL ‘National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle race over two miles and half a furlong.

The longest race of the day is next up, half an hour later, when the SIS Novices’ Handicap Hurdle race over about three miles goes to post.

The most valuable race, the Falcon Vehicle Solutions Steeple Chase (A Novices’ Limited Handicap for the Arthur and Peggy White Memorial Trophy) which is a Class 3 event with a massive £18,000 in prizes over two miles seven furlongs is next at 1.45pm.

The RBS Scaffolding Handicap Hurdle Race over two miles and half a furlong is due off at 2.20pm.

The penultimate race is the Festive Fun Fixture on Thursday, December 8 Handicap Steeplechase over two miles and seven furlongs.

Racing concludes with the Christmas Meeting - Tuesday, December 20 - Handicap Hurdle Race over two miles three furlongs at 3.25pm.

Punters are reminded that they can save up to 20 per cent if they purchase their tickets online in advance before 10am on the day prior to racing by logging on to www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk.

A courtesy coach departs from Taunton Railway Station two hours before the first race and returns from the course 30 minutes after the start of the last.