RACING fans in Cheshire and North Wales get the best of both worlds this week.
After the annual summer break, National Hunt racing resumes at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse on Friday which is two days before the Family Funday at The Roodee.
It's Browns of Chester's Exclusive Ladies Day at Bangor-on-Dee, and star guest for the afternoon is Miss Wales and Miss UK Amy Guy.
The 21-year-old trainee architect is a keen equestrian. She owned her first pony at the tender age of three, represented Wales as a 12-year-old, and competed internationally in the show jumping arena in her teenage years.
Amy qualified and competed for The Horse of the Year show at Wembley Arena, where she was asked to teach Katy Hill from Blue Peter how to ride.
With Bangor-on-Dee staging the only jump racing on Friday, the country's top trainers and jockeys can be expected at the course.
Despite a more than impressive start to the 2005/6 jumping campaign by northern trainer - and former Grand National winning jockey - Richard Guest, the champion trainer Martin Pipe has now resumed his position at the top of the championship.
Meanwhile, champion jockey Tony McCoy is already well ahead in the riders' title race.
The next racing at Chester Race-course is the annual Family Funday on Sunday when the first race is at 2.20pm. Admission prices are £26 (County Stand), £16 (Tattersalls), £8 (Dee Stands), £7 (Open Course). Car parking is £7. As well as via the website (www.chester-races.com), badges can be bought on the race-course's hotline on 01244 304610.
Next racing at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse is on Friday with the first race at 2.15pm.
More information is available on the website www.BangorOnDee-Races.co.uk or contact the race-course on 01978 780323.
