THE battle to be this year’s top trainer on Knavesmire is poised to hot up as York Racecourse hosts The Press Family Raceday on Sunday.

Nawton handler David O’Meara and Great Habton foe Tim Easterby go into the seven-race meeting on seven winners apiece in the Jaguar Top Trainer contest with only three days of racing remaining.

The two trainers have a host of horses entered at the five-day stage, with Easterby hoping to field three runners in the opening Judith Marshall Memorial Stakes, a nursery handicap for two-year-olds.

O’Meara is aiming to run Doc Hay and Pepper Lane in the £33,000 feature race, the inaugural running of the Listed six-furlong Celebrating 45 Years Of Betfred Garrowby Stakes.

He will be up against a trio of runners from the stable of Malton ’s Richard Fahey, the current holder of the top trainer title, with Johannes, Coolminx and Miss Work Of Art among the early declarations.

The Living North Top Jockey race is just as close, with six-time champion jockey Keiren Fallon neck-and-neck with Classic-winning rider William Buick on eight winners for the campaign on Knavesmire.

The Flat turf action at The Press Family Raceday, now in its 13th year, gets under way at 1.50pm and the seven-race card includes the York 800 Stakes, a six-furlong handicap contest for three-year-old sprinters.

Stayers have their opportunity in the Castles UK Educational & Residential Furniture Stakes, a handicap contest over two miles.

Other highlights include the Minster Alarms EBF Maiden Stakes for two-year-olds and the Coopers Marquees Stakes, while up-and-coming jockeys will be in the spotlight for the Future Cleaning Services Apprentice Stakes.

The gates open at 11.15am and as well as the top class racing action there will be fun for all the family, with the return of pony racing and popular children’s television character Peppa Pig.

The Racing Interactive Zone will offer the chance to ride a virtual racehorse and try on racing silks, while there will be a chance to meet racehorse Harry, a retired star of the track. There will also be bouncy castles, face painting and an inflatable army assault course.

County Stand badges can be bought for the half price rate of £12. Details can be found on page 31 of today’s paper.

Accompanied children under the age of 16 will be admitted free.