LADIES' day at Worcester Racecourse is so much more than just another race day.

It seems to attract larger crowds each year and the statistics tell us many of these people only come racing once a year, representing on the whole a different type of audience to other meetings.

It’s also important to remember year on year the numbers of people who dress in their finery and come out to enjoy themselves not only support the racecourse’s biggest day but also many of the local restaurants, bars, shops, hotels, car parks and other attractions in Worcester over the weekend.

Nor must the generosity of the many racegoers who contributed to the incredible £25,000 raised for St Richard’s Hospice on ladies' day go unmentioned.

On a day when 2,000 spears of locally-grown asparagus were consumed, 100kg of seafood was prepared, 1,000 scones and 1,500 pies were enjoyed, the racing highlight was undoubtedly the victory of Her Majesty The Queen’s homebred Take to Heart in the concluding maiden hurdle.

The gelding by Sakhee, who has previously been placed in all his six races bar one, led for much of the race and won by a clear 15-length margin under Nico de Boinville.

The race was a qualifier for our summer 7bets4free.com Fixed Brush Hurdle Series, giving Take to Heart automatic eligibility for the £25,000 final in October.

You have to look back to 2014 to find the Queen’s last runner at Worcester.

Also bred by Her Majesty and trained by Nicky Henderson Special Agent won a bumper at the course on ladies' day in June that year, similarly coinciding with Derby Day.

On that occasion, when I sent the photograph of Special Agent to the Queen as I do for all our winning owners, I received communication back thanking me and saying Her Majesty had enjoyed watching the race from the Royal Box at Epsom.

By contrast the £9,000 Sparkling Anja Potze Fine Jewellery handicap hurdle was won by permit trainer and owner Rosemary Gasson from Banbury with Mr McGuiness who was 2lb out of the weights.

The decent quality field featured three previous course winners, including Slim Pickens trained locally in Claines by Dr Richard Newland.

Horse power meets steam power at the races on Wednesday afternoon when we stage the annual Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust race day.

The two race days held in aid of the trust in 2015 and 2016 raised between them an amazing £45,000.

That has gone towards the restoration of historically-important trains and carriages, building new facilities and funding the Heritage Skills Training Academy, helping to ensure the Severn Valley Railway will be here for future generations to enjoy.

It never ceases to amaze me just how generous people are and how much a race day can help to raise for a wide variety of very worthy local charities.

The first race is due off on Wednesday at 2.20pm.

JENNY CHESHIRE