IT'S time to take a look back at the highlights of 2005 at Chester and Bangor-on-Dee Racecourses as well as the racing scene in and around Cheshire.

April: Cheshire's Carrie Ford almost writes a fairytale by riding Forest Gunner into fifth place in the Grand National. Veteran steeplechaser Gunner Welburn rolls back the years to give younger rivals a pasting in a three-mile steeplechase at Bangor-on-Dee.

May: Against the odds, Anak Pekan wins back-to-back Totesport Chester Cups, while top Roodee trainer Barry Hills delights in sending out Alumni to win the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks, run in memory of his great friend Robert Sangster.

June: Chester May Festival Derby trial winners Hattan and Gypsy King run unplaced at Epsom, while there's a large attendance at Chester's annual Roman Day.

July: Another massive crowd comes out for Chester's 'Family Sunday'.

August: Hakim wins the Hallows Associates Handicap Chase at Bangor-on-Dee before taking the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree in the autumn.

September: Indian Maiden wins her second Listed race at Chester in the space of six weeks.

October and November: Nantwich landlord Bob Lester's Iris's Gift wins well at Bangor-on-Dee, but hopes that he will be a Cheltenham Gold Cup horse seem dashed a month later at Newbury.

December: Ebony Light wins his second race for Cholmondeley trainer Ginger McCain at Bangor-on-Dee inside two months - and the handler uncharacteristically asks the Official Handicapper to put his charge's rating up more than a few pounds so that he has a chance of making the Grand National next year!

May I wish the readers of this column a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.