Nicholashayne trainer David Pipe has decided that locally owned Remastered will not be running in this year’s Grand National which takes place on Saturday 15th April.

Earlier this week Pipe said: “We have decided to scratch Remastered from the Grand National. While the horse is absolutely fine in himself he is not performing on the track and we thought it best to miss this time and hopefully we will be back next year!” Meanwhile Pipe is fast approaching 70 winners for this season and by the time this appears he may well have passed it. Full coverage on that will appear in next week’s editions.

Taunton racegoers enjoyed another good afternoon of national hunt action on Monday the highlight of which was a double for trainer Olly Murphy.

The trainer who is based near Stratford upon Avon enjoyed his first success in the day’s feature raceThe Anthony Trollope-Bellew Memorial Handicap Steeple Chase when Doctor Ken triumphed under Aidan Coleman in the two mile seven furlongs event after going off the 6-4 favourite. 

His other winner came in the second chase on the card, this time over two miles five furlongs when 5-1 shot Auditoria claimed the sixth race, ridden by Fergus Gregory.

Taunton race again on Thursday 30th March when the seven race card, the first of which is due off at 1.30pm  has a very generous prize fund of £68,499 on offer.

The most valuable race of the day is The Invest South West Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) over just shy of three miles at 3.50pm, which has prize money of £13,800 up for grabs.

Punters are reminded that Taunton Racecourse offers discounts on tickets purchased on-line in advance before 12 noon on the day prior to racing.

On racedays a courtesy coach service departs from outside Platform 5 of Taunton Railway Station 90 minutes before the off, returning from the course half an hour after the start of the last,

Taunton’s ever popular Ladies Day Meeting takes place this year on Thursday 13th April, when the first race is due to post at 1.25pm.

Looking further ahead the Orchard Portman Course  will be hosting a Royal Ascot Lunch on Saturday 24th June, which will include a drink on arrival, two course lunch. racing host, in house bookmaker and afternoon all for just £39 per person. To book tickets or to find out more  log onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk