FESTIVE fare is in abundance at Wetherby's traditional two-day Christmas meeting on Boxing Day and Friday.

With record prize money of £153,000 on offer, the prestigious meeting is sure to attract several of the country's top horses as preparations are stepped up for the Cheltenham and Grand National festivals in the spring.

Harrogate-based Sky Bet sponsor all bar two races over the two days.

The feature race on Boxing Day is The skybet.com Castleford Chase, a Grade 2 contest over the minimum distance of two miles. With a total prize fund of £40,000, a quality turn-out is assured for a race acknowledged as a major trial for The Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

A further highlight on Boxing Day is The 08000 722 421 freephone betting from Sky Bet Handicap Chase, a £20,000 contest over an extended two and a half miles.

The £30,000 skybet.com Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase takes pride of place on Friday. This Listed contest over three miles, one furlong, synonymous with Wetherby's Christmas meeting, is held in memory of a former clerk of the course, who officiated between 1919 and 1947.

Regular sponsors the Rocom Group of Thorp Arch support a hurdle race on both days. Boxing Day's contest is a handicap hurdle over two miles, seven furlongs, while three-year-olds are in action in The Rocom Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (two miles) on Friday.

Attractions for children in the course enclosure on Boxing Day include a face painter and a children's entertainer. Musical entertainment is provided by the Christmas Brass Band on the opening day, while on Friday it's the turn of The Chapletown Silver Band.

Racing on Boxing Day is scheduled to begin at 12.30, while the action on Friday starts at 12.55. Racegoers are advised to arrive early, particularly on Boxing Day.