NO fewer than 42,000 people packed into The Roodee for Sunday's annual family funday.

And now August provides more popular racing opportunities at both Bangor-on-Dee and Chester Race-courses.

Wrexham Raceday on Saturday, August 13, is Bangor-on-Dee's family day and - like the big occasion on The Roodee - there are lots of attractions for all the family.

But the day also features high-class action on the racecourse proper because the Corbett Bookmakers Dee Handicap Hurdle, worth £30,000 in prize money, will be the richest race to be run at Bangor-on-Dee for many years.

Racegoers can also enjoy the 2005 Charles Owen Pony Racing series, a nationwide initiative aimed at encour-aging youngsters aged between 11 and 15 years to become jump jockeys.

More information is available on www.BangorOnDeeRaces.co.uk or contact the course on 01978 780323

Then it's back to Chester for the August Festival, sponsored for the second year by interactive book-makers Blue Square. The theme this year is the 'Beautiful Festival' when racegoers can benefit from a whole series of promotions.

Over the three days from Thursday, August 18 to Saturday, August 20, more than £250,000 in prize money will be up for grabs, with the highlight being the £50,000 Blue Square Stakes on the third day.

Meanwhile, Chester Racecourse favourite Bishops Court, a horse that won more than £350,000 in prize money, has been retired, aged 11.

Three of his 12 wins were at Chester, including the City Walls Stakes in 2002 and 2003.