JULY has already proved a momentous month for Worcester Racecourse.

The 300th anniversary raceday on July 4 was a wonderful occasion in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

More recently, July 9 was the annual seniors’ raceday which this year proved every bit as popular as in previous years.

Over 500 seniors enjoyed cream teas with exclusive use of the hospitality marquee located beside the parade ring and near to the track, offering close-up viewing of the horses before and during the races.

As we approach the season’s halfway stage, the focus turns to both the trainer and jockey championships, both of which are promising to be closely fought this year.

Leading the way for the trainers is Dan Skelton, just ahead of Peter Bowen from Haverfordwest in Wales who often shines with his summer jumpers.

The Bowen operation is a family affair with the two stable jockeys being the trainer’s sons Sean and James.

Bowen recorded a double on seniors’ day, one apiece ridden by Sean and James.

Play the Ace has been trained by Bowen since June 2016 and run 24 times for his trainer, winning on eight occasions.

Sean and James know the horse well, having ridden him in 23 of those races between them.

James was aboard last Monday and the horse is now qualified for the £30,000 final of the 7bets4free.com Fixed Brush Hurdle Series at Worcester in October.

Perhaps the greater surprise of Bowen’s two winners was Well Said, ridden by Sean.

A winning pointer, Bowen has only had the horse since June 21 and since then he has had three runs, all at Worcester.

Anyone who kept the Bowen faith and backed the horse will have been delighted when he finally got off the mark at odds of 50/1.

Reigning champion jockey Richard Johnson may not have the season all his way this year as Harry Skelton is posing quite a threat to the title.

This is also reflected in the current Worcester jockey standings with Johnson leading this week on 106 points and Skelton not far behind on 88.

Johnson added to his Worcester wins on Monday by taking the Fernhill House Care Home Clover Flat Race on the John Butler-trained Avarchie.

Avarchie is still just a four-year old and in his short racing career has had just three races with a different trainer for each race.

National Hunt racing often has an Irish flavour, even in the United Kingdom, as a good number of the jockeys and trainers hail from the Emerald Isle and a percentage of the horses who run over here were bred in Ireland.

It is therefore fitting that we celebrate this with our annual Irish race evening tomorrow night.

Always a good craic, we can also look forward to the musical talents of the Wild Murphys during racing with the first race due off at 5.50pm.