The weather may have done its best to spoil the open meeting at Taunton last week, but it certainly didn t detract from the thrills and spills that were on offer out on the course, which resulted in some breathtaking action and some close finishes.

The weather may have done its best to spoil the open meeting at Taunton last week, but it certainly didn't detract from the thrills and spills that were on offer out on the course, which resulted in some breathtaking action and some close finishes which were appreciated by the large crowd who braved the elements.

Following on from their highly successful opening meet, Taunton race again on Thursday November 26th when they host the Somerset Cider Day meeting.

The themed meeting is aimed at celebrating the autumn season when the air in many places is filled with the heady aroma of crushed apples that will end up as Somerset's favourite tipple and a number of local cider and cheese producers will be in attendance to make this a day to remember, both on and off the course.

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The six race card, which boasts a total prize fund of �47, 350 gets underway at 12.35pm, with The Weatherbys Bank Juvenile Maiden Hurdle Race over two miles and about one furlong.

The race sponsors will present a memento to the winning owner and also award �50 to the groom of the best turned out horse.

The Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Maiden Hurdle Race follows half an hour later with the sponsors once again generously presenting a memento to the winning owner and �50 to the groom of the best turned out horse.

The Audrey Chudleigh Memorial Beginners' Steeple Chase at 1.40pm, over two miles and about half a furlong has total prize money of �8,300. The sponsor of this race, Mr. G.Pritchard will present a challenge trophy and a memento to the winner. In addition to which a cash prize of �50 will be presented to the groom of the best turned out horse.

The feature race on the card will be The Leath Jewellers and Valuers Challenge Trophy 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Race which is a Class 3 event and has a total prize fund of �10,000.

The race sponsors, Taunton based Leath Jewellers and Valuers, will also present a trophy to the winning owner.

The longest race on the card is the penultimate action on the track, The Stables Business Park Clients Day Out Steeple Chase which runs over just half a furlong short of three miles, which is likely to provide a gruelling test for horse and jockey alike, which has a prize pot of �8,750.

The race sponsors, who are based at Rooksbridge just off junction 22 of the M5 will present a memento to the winning owner and a �50 cash prize to the groom in charge of the winning horse.

The day concludes with The Weatherbys Printing Handicap Hurdle Race, which is another Class 3 event and is run over two miles and about three and a half furlongs which has a total prize pot of �9,000. The race sponsors will present a memento to the winning owner and a cash prize of �50 to the groom of the best turned out horse.

Racegoers are reminded that a courtesy bus departs from Taunton Station one hour before the first race and picks up at Taunton Bus Station a few minutes later. The bus returns from the course 30 minutes after the start of the last race.

To find out more about the Somerset Cider Day meeting or other meetings this season log onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk or call 01823 337172.