TAUNTON racegoers have an extra race to look forward to on Thursday afternoon when the seven-race card gets underway at 12.35pm, writes Richard Walsh.

With 90 horses declared to run, a going of good to soft, good in places and a dry afternoon forecast, the Orchard Portman Course looks like the place to be.

All of the leading trainers including Philip Hobbs, Colin Tizzard and Paul Nicholls have runners while leading jockeys Tom Scudamore, Richard Johnson, Nico de Boinville, Nick Schofield, Sam Twiston-Davies and Bryony Frost are all booked to ride.

The most valuable event on the card is The Ronnie Holbech and Paladin 1940 Novices’ Handicap Chase which is worth more than £6,750 to the winner.

Man of the Mountain, trained by Emma Lavell and ridden by Nico de Boinville, is expected to do well here as is Monty’s Award, from the Charlie Longsden yard under Robbie Dunn.

One runner that will attract a lot of interest is Forever Des Long, the Taunton Racing Owners Club horse, trained by Philip Hobbs and ridden by champion jockey Richard Johnson, who makes his home debut in the 1.10pm

A courtesy coach departs from the main entrance to Taunton Railway Station (Platform 5) 90 minutes before the off and returns from the course half an hour after the start of the last race.

For any further details, please log onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk