Taunton host their Royal Naval Lifeboat Institution Meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) when the first of the six races on the card is due off at 2.20pm, writes Richard Walsh.

With 57 horses declared and the ground currently Soft, Good to Soft in places, and likely to improve if no further rain, another exciting afternoon of National Hunt action looks to be in store for local punters.

Leading trainers Paul Nicholls, Colin Tizzard, Venetia Williams, Phillip Hobbs, Emma Lavelle, Jeremy Scott and Mick Channon, who made 46 appearances and scored 21 goals for England in the 1970s, who has had four winners from 22 runners at Taunton since becoming a trainer, all have entries.

In addition leading jockeys Harry Cobden, Aidan Coleman, Liam Treadwell and Nick Schofield are all booked for rides.

The big race on the card is the Handicap Steeplechase over three and a half miles at 4.30pm, which is worth £9,357 to winning connections.

Dancing Shadow, trained by Victor Dartnall on Exmoor and ridden by James Best, and Van Gogh Du Granit from David Pipe’s yard under David Noonan look likely to be strong contenders here.

Racegoers are reminded that a courtesy coach service departs from Taunton Railway Station two hours before the off and returns 30 minutes after the start of the last.

For further information please log onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk