WARWICK Racecourse stages the premier race meeting in the country on Saturday when the card includes the course's richest ever race - the £115,000 Totesport Classic Chase.

An open handicap raced over a distance of three miles and five furlongs, the Chase is one of the leading trials for the John Smith's Grand National and has attracted a number of top staying steeple chasers including Stormez, Historic, the progressive Grattan Lodge and French raider Kelami.

Racecourse manager Victoria Parris said: "It's fantastic for Warwick to stage an event like this one when racegoers will have the chance to see many of the top horses and jockeys in action.

Entries for the valuable supporting races also look strong and we expect all of our races on Saturday to feature horses that will go on to run at Cheltenham and Aintree later in the spring."

The meeting is also expected to feature the reappearance after injury of 2003 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner Strong Flow, in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle.

Strong Flow is likely to take in this race in preparation for a tilt at the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The first of seven races gets under way at 12.25pm and admission is £15 into the main enclosure, £6 into the course enclosure with accompanied children under 16 admitted free.