THE countdown is on to the Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival.

The Festival starts at Ripon on Saturday, July 21 and takes in meetings at eight of the region’s racecourses, concluding at Pontefract on Sunday, July 29.

The leading trainer and jockey will both receive hampers from The Yorkshire Hamper Company, based in the Yorkshire Dales.

The competitions are based on points obtained for first, second and third places in each race during the Festival. The leading rider will wear a yellow armband.

Festival dates: Sat, July 21 – Ripon; Sun, July 22 – Redcar; Mon, July 23 – Beverley (evening); Wed, July 25 – Catterick; Thurs, July 26 – Doncaster (evening); Fri, July 27 – Thirsk; Fri, July 27 – York (evening); Sat, July 28 – York; Sun, July 29 – Pontefract.