We were delighted to welcome the RNLI on Tuesday as part of their 200 year celebrations. There were plenty of runners and the kind weather made it an enjoyable afternoon, writes Martin Higgs.

The racing kicked off at 2.20pm with the Blackbrook Primary Racing To School Handicap Hurdle and a win for the 10 year old mare No No Tonic. Racing to School is an excellent initiative which arranges schools to visit racecourses on a race day as an extension to their mathematics curriculum.

After their ‘Maths lesson’ they get to watch some racing and even present a prize (pictured). If you would like your local school to attend please contact Racing To School for information on how to arrange a visit.

Our second race of the afternoon was the Chetwood Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle with a win for Ryan’s Rocket for the Fergal O’Brien team and Paddy Brennan on his only ride of the afternoon. The Onto the Corks And Cru Vintage Mares’ Hurdle was next and Tuscan Rose took the honours with Sam Twiston-Davies, for trainer Neil Mulholland and the Fighting Chance Syndicate, she’s entering my notebook for sure.

The Royal Bath & West Show supported our first Chase of the afternoon and it was a thrilling race between the David Pipe trained King Turgeon and Loup De Maulde with the latter prevailing by a neck, the horse’s sixth win for connections..

Our feature race was the Fowey Lifeboat 165 Years Handicap Hurdle and Wolf Prince made all under Connor Brace making it a double on the afternoon for the Fergal O’Brien stable.

Next up was the RNLI Mares’ Handicap Chase and a win for Annie Wicks (pictured), Harry Cobden and trainer Evan Williams. It has not been an easy journey for those involved and this was her first win at the ninth attempt. Her owners Wayne Clifford and Ian Gosden are strong supporters of the track and it was great to see them have a winner with us.

Finally, the Grand National Lunch 13th April National Hunt Flat Race and a ‘pillar to post’ win for I Play County under Tom Cannon for trainer Toby Lawes.

An excellent afternoon’s entertainment and we do it all over again on Thursday 11th April with our Roarsome Easter Holiday Family Raceday where we have a Dino Race and a number of Dino related activities..early bird discounted tickets are available at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk ..why not bring the family and join in the fun.