More than 40,000 racegoers are expected to flock to the Roodee for Chester Racecourse's family fun day on Sunday. Richard Thomas, chief executive of Chester and Bangor-on-Dee Races, previews the action

THE barbecues and the fun fairs may be the highlights in the centre of The Roodee on Sunday, but in the racecourse proper, the main event on the annual family fun day is the BETDAQ Queensferry Stakes.

The £30,000 race is over six furlongs, and could see a Cheshire-trained horse in the field.

Alpraham-based Michael Mullineaux's Talbot Avenue - second in the race in 2004 - wouldn't be without a chance if he takes his place among the declared runners.

The highest rated horse in the Class 1 Listed event at the initial entry stage was Eisteddfod, which is on a hat-trick, though he does have an alternative entry in the Stewards' Cup at 'Glorious' Goodwood 24 hours earlier.

For many of the crowd of more than 40,000, Chester's annual family fun day is an event they look forward to every year.

It's a fabulous day of racing and family entertainments around which many people arrange their diaries when they are booking their summer holidays.

Following today's meeting at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, the next fixture is 'Wrexham Raceday' on Saturday, August 13.

This is the showpiece of the summer jump-racing programme, featuring the Corbett Bookmakers Dee Handicap Hurdle which, at £30,000 in prize money, will be the richest race to be run at Bangor-on-Dee for many years.

With the race highly rated, it could attract the kind of horses that would not be out of place at the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival. nThe first race on Sunday is scheduled for 2.20pm. Admission: County Stand £26; Tattersalls £16; Dee Stands £8; Open Course £7. Car parking is £7.

As well as via the website (www.chester-races.com), badges can be bought on the racecourse's credit card hotline on 01244 304610, which is open between 9am and 4.45pm, Mondays to Fridays. General e-mail inquiries to sales@chester-races.com