SATURDAY'S 45th running of the Intrum Justitia Cup Champion Hunters' Chase (4.05) is the centrepiece of this weekend's two-day meeting at Stratford Racecourse that brings the curtain down on the 2003 Hunter Chase season.

The three mile four furlong Intrum Justitia Cup (formerly known as the Horse and Hound Cup) is a fitting end of term finale featuring, among its 16 entries, several of the year's leading Hunters.

The feature race on tomorrow's first evening of the meeting is the Chase Publications Champion Novices' Hunters' Chase - the John Corbet Cup (8.20) that has attracted a quality 24-strong entry.

Probable favourite for Saturday's feature race could be the Paul Nicholls trained 12-year-old Earthmover, who has four wins under his belt already this season. He is no stranger to Stratford having won the John Corbet Cup in 1997.

The main rivals are likely to be Bright Approach and County Derry, while the 2001 John Corbet Cup Novice Championship winner of of 2001, Philtre, is another to watch.

This weekend's Luddington Road meeting marks the end of the Amateur National Hunt season with the Men's and Ladies' Amateur Riders' championships finally decided.

The men's title couldn't be closer when, after racing on Bank Holiday Monday when they both rode a winner, Christian Williams leads Yorkshire-based Gino Carenza, who hails from Broadway by a single victory.

Both jockeys are in action this week and plan to have as many rides as possible at Stratford. The title race could go right down to the wire.

Polly Gundry is certain of retaining the Lady Riders' Championship but she will still be in action at Stratford where her mounts may include Bright Approach in the Intrum Justitia and likely favourite Mrs Be in the Mission Foods Ladies' Hunters' Chase also on Saturday.

With four top class Hunter Chases spread over the two-day meeting, two on Friday and two on Saturday afternoon, this is a meeting no Hunt racing enthusiast can afford to miss.

The first of six races tomorrow night is at 6.20pm, while Saturday's eight-race card gets under orders at 1.55pm.

Admission prices are Club £15, Tattersalls £11 and Course £6. Accompanied children under 16 are admitted free.