RIPON, Yorkshire's "Garden Racecourse", opens its gates to racegoers on Thursday, April 20 - the first of 14 days' racing this year on the Flat.

The Ripon area is steeped in equine history and racing has taken place on several sites, with the first recorded meeting on Bondgate Green in 1664.

Racing on the present site on Boroughbridge Road began on August 6, 1900. Ripon staged Britain's first race for women riders in 1723.

There's also a magnificent Gold Trophy presented every year to the owner of the winning horse in Ripon's Listed race, The Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy, on August Bank Holiday Monday. Sir Xaar was last year's winner, trained by Bryan Smart.

The William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap, one of the most competitive sprint handicaps in the UK, is the principal race on Saturday, August 19, and is named after Ripon's patron saint. Ice Planet, trained at Sessay by David Nicholls was last season''s 10-1 winner of this six furlong contest. Several other race titles reflect the history of the area. For example, The Ripon Rowels Stakes, referring to the region's ancient craft of spur-making.

Ripon's fixture list now includes four evening meetings and a Sunday Family Raceday (May 21), while Ladies Day takes place on Thursday, June 22.

A feature of the facilities is the permanent large screen situated opposite the main stands.

ADMISSION PRICES: Club £17; Tattersalls £11 (pensioners £7); Course enclosure £4. Cars to course enclosure £12 (maximum of four persons). Accompanied under-16s are admitted free into all enclosures.

Concessions for pre-booked parties. Car parking free.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: Single £125; joint £185; junior (under-21) £80.

HOW TO GET THERE: By car - the racecourse is to the east of Ripon, North Yorkshire, on the Boroughbridge Road (B6265). By rail - the nearest stations are at Harrogate and Thirsk.

FACILITIES FOR DISABLED: Orange badge-holder vehicles parked as close as possible to entrance. Viewing facilities are available in the Club Enclosure.

All toilets accessible. Most refreshments at ground level. Contact Clerk of the Course for additional help.

DESCRIPTION OF TRACK: A right-handed oval track of one mile, five furlongs, with a run-in of five furlongs.

EFFECT OF DRAW: Low numbers favoured on straight course on fast ground.

High numbers best on the round.

FAMILY FACILITIES: There are two children's playgrounds, one in the Tattersalls Enclosure and the othe r in the Course Enclosure. Additional children's attraction s are available mainly in the Course Enclosure on featur e days, such as weekend and Bank Holiday meetings , along with Children's Day on Monday, August 1.

HOSPITALITY: A selection of suites, with viewing bal - conies catering for between 25 and 100 guests, are lo - cated in the grandstand. Private luncheon boxes are als o available near the parade ring and bandstand.

FIXTURES FOR 2006: April 20 (Ripon Silver Bow l Conditions Stakes); 29; May 10 (evening), 21 (Famil y Sunday); June 6, 7 (evening), 21 (evening, ) 22 (Ladie s Day); July 10 (evening), 22 (Institute of Journalists' Roya l Charter Charity Meeting); August 7 (Children's Day), 1 9 (William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap), 28 (Bank Holida y - Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy), 29.

FURTHER INFORMATION: The Ripon Race Co, 7 7 North Street, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1DS. Telephone (01765) 602156, fax (01765) 690018. Clerk o f the course, James Hutchinson. E-mail: info@ripon - races. co. uk. Website: www.

ripon-races. co. uk