Taunton were forced to abandon their second meeting in the space of ten days when the wet weather put paid to Tuesday’s meeting at Orchard Portman.

Between Friday and Tuesday morning the course had seen 56.5mm of rain fall on top of a further 140mm of thawing snow, leaving Michael Trickey the clerk of the course no alternative than to abandon.

With slightly better weather forecast, officials at England’s youngest jump’s course are optimistic that the first of three meetings scheduled for next month can go ahead next Thursday (February 7), when the opening race goes to post at 1.45pm.

The seven races offer a total prize fund of £47,500 which is bound to attract some high class entries and ensure another great afternoon of action for local punters.

The big race of the day is the Bathwick Handicap Novices’ Hurdle, which is a Class 3 event with prize money of £10,500.

Taunton was recently announced as the winner of the Racecourse Groundstaff Award for the best Jump Racecourse in 2012.

The award will be presented by Luke Harvey live on At The Races after the 2.45pm race on Tuesday, February 19.

Racegoers are reminded they can obtain discounts if they book their Taunton tickets online 48 hours in advance by logging on to www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk