JOCKEY Sam Thomas will be back in action in time for Hereford Racecourse’s major fixture of the year – Ladies’ Day on Sunday, June 22.

He picked up a 17-day ban after unluckily going the wrong way in a race at Fakenham Racecourse, but he will return by the third weekend in June.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider who is so well known for his links with Venetia Williams’s yard was leading a race on a hot favourite at the Norfolk track when he made his mistake. There was no leniency from the racecourse’s stewards.

Herefordshire’s jump racing stables were not in action on the same day but, after a slow start to the 2008/9 jumps campaign, they have just come back into form.

Local yards were well represented at Exeter Races, with Richard Lee’s Radnor Lad taking a handicap chase under ‘Chocolate’ Thornton, while Eastnor’s Matt Sheppard sent out Jomelanin to victory in a handicap hurdle.

Twenty-four hours later, and Matt had done it again, this time at Ludlow Races. Super Judge was the hero in a handicap chase. Not to be outdone, Ullingswick’s Richard Price provided the county with another Ludlow winner – this time Desert Lover in a selling hurdle.

Tickets are already selling well for Hereford Racecourse’s Ladies’ Day in a little over a month.

The races on Sunday, June 22 include the richest event of the year at the racecourse – the £15,000 Biotal Equine Gold Supporting Heros Handicap Hurdle.

After the horse racing is over at 5pm, there is live music from Take That tribute act Take That 2. There are also prizes, courtesy of Planet, for the ‘best dressed lady’ and ‘best hat’. The event ends at 7pm.

The next racing at Hereford Racecourse is Ladies’ Day on Sunday, June 22. The first race is currently due off at 2pm. Grandstand admission is £17. Accompanied children aged under 16 enter free of charge. More information can be found on web site www.hereford-racecourse.co.uk or by telephoning the racecourse on 01432 273560.