TAUNTON Racecourse hosts its penultimate meeting of the season next Thursday (April 3) and punters can expect another top day's action judging by the variety that is promised on the seven race card, first race 2.20pm.

Many of the races dedicated to the businesses that provide services to the course during the season, so there will be a very local feel to the day.

First up is The Sporting Spirits Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle Race, the company that supplies winning owners with a memento of their special day at Taunton. Run over three miles and about half a furlong this is the longest race of the afternoon and is due off at 2.20pm.

The South Tetcott Hunt Supporters Novices' Steeple Chase is next on the card and run over two miles and about seven and a half furlongs. It has a total prize fund of £6,500, of which the winner receives £4,070.

The D.H Payne and Son Maiden Hurdle Race over two miles and about one furlong follows and carries a total prize fund of £6,000.

The richest race of the afternoon, due off at 3.50pm, is The TauntonRacecourse.co.uk Handicap Steeplechase, which has total prize money of £9,500, is worth £5,949 to the winning owner. Run over two miles and about three furlongs, this class three race is expected to attract substantial interest.

The SouthWest-Racing.Com Handicap Hurdle Race is next on the card. Run over two miles and about three and a half furlongs, this race has a total prize pot of £6,000, with the winning owner receiving £3,903.

The Captain Ronnie Wallace Hunters' Steeple Chase over two miles and about seven and a half furlongs at 4.50pm is named after one of the 20th century's greatest figures of fox hunting.

During a lifetime involvement with various hunts Captain Wallace was Master of the Exmoor Foxhounds for 25 years and resided at Dulverton. His son David Wallace, owns Rosettes Direct the company that supplies Taunton with its race-day badges.

The final race of the day is The NGS Group Ltd Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race at 5.20pm and is dedicated to the company who provide the security at Taunton Racecourse.

The free bus service departs Taunton Railway Station one hour before the first race, before picking up at Castle Green ten minutes later. The bus returns from the course 30 minutes after the final race.