Essential info for the Lambourn Open Day - plus a positive weather forecast

Temperatures could hit 20c when the popular Peter O'Sullevan Lambourn Open Day returns on Friday after an enforced absence of three years because of the pandemic.

Staged in various guises since the 1970s, the day raises valuable funds for the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust, Thames Valley Air Ambulance and other worthy causes.

More than 20 yards will open their doors to the general public from 8.30am until 1pm and they include Nicky Henderson's star-studded Seven Barrows base.

Why the returning Lambourn Open Day could be more important than ever

Oliver Sherwood, Charlie Hills and Clive Cox are other familiar names to fling open their doors, as will Oaksey House, the rehabilitation centre for jockeys.

Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Shishkin – Henderson aces past and present – feature in the Windsor Clive Parade of Equine Heroes alongside Battaash and Coneygree as part of the afternoon entertainment, which starts at 1pm and runs until approximately 4.30pm.

Other attractions include camel racing and legendary champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy and Grand National winner Sam Waley-Cohen competing in the Taittinger Show Jumping.

"Hopefully by lunchtime on Friday skies will be a lot brighter," said the Met Office's Craig Snell. "It might not be wall-to-wall sunshine, but it will be pleasant enough and there will be no rain around. It will feel fairly warm too and highs will be around 19-20c, which is good for the time of year.

"You might open the curtains and think it's a grey start, but bear with it as the cloud should break up and the sun should make an appearance as the morning goes on."

Car parks will be open from 8amCredit: Edward Whitaker

Tickets, which are cash only, are available on the day and cost £15 for access to the yards and afternoon entertainment, which includes The Outside Chance bar, other food and drink outlets and a host of stalls.

It is £10 for the afternoon entertainment only and car parks will be open from 8am, while people are being encouraged to bring cash, although some card machines will be in use.

Mark Smyly, chairman of the organising committee, said: "It's such a crucial day for Lambourn. Not only do we raise a lot of money for some worthwhile charities, but the day provides an opportunity for thousands of people to get behind the scenes at racing yards to see how well racehorses are looked after."

Full details of the open day can be found at , while donations can be made via that site as well.

Read more:

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