With the world famous Great Yorkshire Show just around the corner, Pontefract racecourse will have a small taste of what’s on offer at their race meeting next Tuesday.

With a pop up farm shop selling the best of Yorkshire produce and a working sheep dog display, there will be plenty going on.

‘Horses Inside Out’ will also be at Pontefract painting up a live horse anatomically so that people can understand a little more about how equine superstars work.

Wakefield Tourist Information will be bringing a mobile visitor centre to let people know what’s going on in the area.

Added to the mix is some fantastic racing including a £40,000 fillies’ listed race.

Those who attended last year’s corresponding fixture will remember the torrential rain throughout the afternoon as Hugo Palmer’s Audacia sluiced through the mud to win the listed Weatherbys VAT Pipalong Stakes.

Hopefully, there will be better weather this year.

The race always produces a decent filly or mare as it’s the last opportunity for the fairer sex to gain listed ‘black type’ over this trip.

Indeed, the role call of former winners includes the likes of Chorist, Red Bloom and Gifted Girl who all went on to compete at the highest level.

The meeting kicks off with the Dianne Nursery handicap for two year olds. It’s one of the first handicaps for two year olds to be run this season and it can often be won by a bigger price runner as the handicapper gets to grip with his ratings for the young horses.

The Pontefract Sports and Education Foundation hold a charity event throughout this day and three of the races on the card are sponsored by their supporters.

Hilco, Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club and Missold2U are all fervent supporters of the foundation who aim to promote the advancement of education and sport amongst the underprivileged and disadvantaged in the Pontefract and District area.

There’s a varied supporting card including the 31st running of the £15,000 King Richard III Stakes Handicap. The race commemorates the granting of a Royal Charter to the Borough of Pontefract in 1484 and the successful owner will receive a perpetual challenge trophy provided by Pontefract Civic Society. Michael Dods won the race in 2014 with My Name is Rio and the trainer will be aiming to continue his good run of recent form and win his fourth race at the course this year.

The racecourse postcode lottery gives the opportunity for anyone based in the Leeds area to come racing for just £2. By registering a utility bill with the racecourse, residents with an ‘LS’ postcode can get a ticket to the grandstand and paddock enclosure at the heavily discounted rate. The racecourse will once again be offering discounted tickets to those who book in advance – see www.pontefract-races.co.uk for more information.