DESPITE parts of Taunton still reportedly being only accessible via a submarine, racing looks set to go ahead today for a cracking seven race card.

Paul Nicholls’ local track has been a happy hunting ground this season but I think a number of his runners could bump into a couple of good ones, starting with Tim Vaughan’s Fayette County (2.40) taken to turn over Nicholls’ Vicente.

Fayette County won a warm bumper at Down Royal before arriving in England and made a pleasing debut over hurdles splitting the pair of Milan Bound and Blakemount at Carlisle. The latter is a 140 rated novice and Cheltenham bound, whilst the winner has subsequently won since and his form looks the strongest in the race.

Nicholls should be able to make amends with Ceaser Milan (4.10) however who was a course and distance winner when scoring on handicap debut here last week. He was well punted and readily drew clear winning by 23 lengths and a steering job under a penalty, fingers crossed the price won’t be too skinny.

Tornado In Milan (3.10) came roaring back to form at the track two starts ago and loves it when the mud is flying, he looks to have given trainer Evan Williams another success here after winning at the track last month.

That win came as part of a four-timer for Williams on the day and he came back here earlier in the month to take advantage of a 2lb lower mark over hurdles, unlucky to bump into Paul Nicholls’ highly touted Virak.

He is better over fences and despite Sound Investment re-opposing on 5lb better terms, Tornado In Milan loves the track and will be better suited to the testing ground more than most. Massena is respected for Venetia Williams but it could be a case of going to the well once too often with him.

David Pipe’s The Darling Boy (5.10) should be able to go one better than his second on his seasonal beau at Bangor, running the well backed Brian Ellison favourite Kayfrou to within a short head.

A 2lb rise seems fair and further improvement is expected with the cobwebs blown away after the 9-y-o’s first run for 510 years, Tom Scudamore replaces Kieron Edgar in the plate.

There’s an interesting card at Ludlow with the feature handicap chase over three miles attracting a strong field including last year’s winner Ballyoliver, again for Venetia.

He’s lost his way as of late however and with more questions than answers looking through the runners, a chance can be taken on Tom George’s Forgotten Gold (3.30).

Paddy Brennan takes the ride with the George/Brennan partnership in good form, combining for four winners and a further five seconds from 19 runners so far this month.

Forgotten Gold unseated at Fakenham on his seasonal beau when looking a likely winner and made a similar error when falling last month at Wincanton but remains of great interest, providing his jumping improves.

Pure Science (5.00) runs in the finale and looks well-treated from a mark of 116 and Ryan Hatch taking a further 5lb off the 6-y-o. He should figure.