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There are several reasons why the next National Hunt meeting
at Taunton on Tuesday 20th February is special.
Firstly, this is an additional race day, one of three arranged
for the current season, thereby making annual membership even
more attractive this year. The overwhelming bonus, though,
is that Taunton Racecourse is delighted to have been able
to give the entire day over to the benefit of The St. Margaret’s
Somerset Hospice, which offers Specialist Palliative Care
to cancer sufferers and their families in the County. The
Charity was given the opportunity to approach local businesses
for support in the form of race sponsorship and the race names
reflect the positive results of that offer.
The UBS “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle
Race gets the meeting off to a great start at 2.10.
Novice hurdles are always well supported at Taunton, a healthy
level of prize money inevitably guaranteeing a big entry which
usually produces some thrilling action. Next comes The Aspen-Waite
Maiden Hurdle, before the day’s main event, the 2 mile
Knight Frank Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class
3 event carrying a £10,000 prize fund. The Porter Dodson
Novices’ Hurdle follows, and with two on the card, both
permitted to divide, there’s a major chance that the
six planned races will become seven. The penultimate offering
is The Hippychick.Com Handicap Chase over almost 3 miles,
with The Friends Of St. Margaret’s Hospice Handicap
Hurdle set to bring down the curtain on what looks to be an
exciting, as well as a rewarding day’s racing.
The fact that this meeting falls during the school half term
holiday, which usually indicates the makings of a bigger than
usual crowd at Taunton, allied with the fact that supporters
of St. Margaret’s Hospice will be expected to add to
those numbers, could mean that the FREE race day bus service
will become a viable option for getting to the racecourse.
New patrons are therefore reminded that the bus will leave
Taunton railway station at 1.10, then pick up from the bus
station 10 minutes later.
Tuesday 20th February provides a great chance not only to
see some top class racing action, but also to support a very
worthy cause.
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The
St. Margaret’s Hospice Charity Race Day
