Sports Listings / Plan Ahead

CHRISTMAS may be coming but to most racing enthusiasts that only means an entertaining Boxing Day with eight National Hunt race meetings.

The Bank Holiday on 26 December this year falls conveniently on Saturday and the eight meetings serve most of the country with the exception of the north- west.

Kempton Park is the day's main meeting. This is where Desert Orchid won a record four King George VI Chase, a race that ranks second in the steeplechasing season to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Speed is a factor at Kempton as the course is flat with tight turns, though there are 19 fences to be jumped in this three-mile race. Kempton is also offering 25 per cent discount on Members and Grandstand enclosures up to 14 December.

The Rowland Merrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby is one of the north's leading steeplechases and the other six meetings always attempt to have above- average fields for the day.

KEMPTON PARK racecourse, Sunbury-on- Thames, Middlesex (Tel: 0932-782292), is on A308 near junction 1 of M3. Admission: Club pounds 20 (junior members 16-25 years pounds 14). Grandstand pounds 13. Silver Ring pounds 6. Accompanied children under-16 free. Parking: Main car park pounds 5 (limited), Silver Ring and centre car parks free. (First race 12.45pm).

HUNTINGDON, Cambridgeshire (0480- 453373), is at Brampton, two miles west of Huntingdon o A604 - close to A1. Admission: Day membership pounds 10. Tattersalls pounds 7. Course enclosure pounds 3. Advance booking: 20 per cent reduction. (12.30pm).

MARKET RASEN, Lincolnshire (0673- 843434), is one mile east of town on A631. Admission: Club members pounds 12 (junior members 16- 21 pounds 7). Tattersalls pounds 7. Silver Ring pounds 3.50. Accompanied children 16 and under free. Parking free except in picnic area pounds 2 per car plus Silver Ring entrance. (12.30pm).

NEWTON ABBOT, Devon (0626-53235), is north of the town on A380, six miles from Torquay and 17 from Exeter. Admission: Paddock pounds 8.50. Course pounds 4. Accompanied children under- 16 and parking free. (12.45pm).

SEDGEFIELD, Co Durham (Information 0482-867488; raceday 0740-20366), is 3/4 mile south west of town, near junction A689 Bishop Auckland road and A177 Durham road, seven miles north-west of Stockton-on-Tees. Admission: Paddock pounds 7 (OAPs pounds 3.50). Course pounds 2. Accompanied children under-16 free. Parking: Paddock pounds 2 and free. (12.50pm).

WETHERBY, West Yorkshire (0937-582035), is east of town off B1224 York road, adjacent to A1. Admission: Daily Club (limited) pounds 12. Tattersalls pounds 7. Course pounds 2 (OAPs pounds 1). Cars to centre of course (up to four adults) pounds 6. Accompanied children under-16 free. (1pm).

WINCANTON, Somerset (0963-32344), is one mile north of town on B3081 from A303. Admission: Members pounds 11.50. Tattersalls pounds 8. Course pounds 3.50. Accompanied children under-16 free. (12.40pm).

WOLVERHAMPTON, West Midlands (0902- 24481), is one mile north of town on A449, junction 2 of M54 or junction 12 of M6. Admission: Club pounds 10. Course pounds 5. (OAPs pounds 3 both enclosures). Parking: Club pounds 2, Course pounds 1. (12.35pm).