HORSE power met steam power at Worcester Racecourse last week when we were delighted to host the fourth annual raceday of the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust.

Thanks to the seemingly unbounded generosity of the supporters of the historic railway and racegoers alike, £13,000 was raised for the charity as a direct result of the event.

Through the recent negative press, I am pleased to say the racecourse has also received heart-warming support from numerous owners, trainers and jockeys as well as regular racegoers.

None more so than from Martin and Belinda Keighley who train near Moreton-in-Marsh.

The yard is in good form and boasts a 100 per cent strike rate at Worcester in 2018 with two winners from as many runners.

The first came in May when Dr Dunraven, whose first run under rules was in a maiden hurdle at Worcester in October 2016 then trained by Phillip Hobbs, posted his first career win from 12 starts.

Their second victory came last week when Mr Mafia followed up his Stratford win with success in the concluding handicap hurdle.

Having won both starts for the Keighleys, Mr Mafia previously ran six times at Worcester for Cropthorne trainer Tony Carroll, being placed on four occasions.

The recurring theme of horses for courses is often evident if you trace a horse’s form.

Several examples proving this theory were evident at Pitchcroft last week.

Alcester trainer Dan Skelton has sent Alcock and Brown to the races nine times.

Of the six at Worcester, the gelding has won three and been placed in two which is especially pleasing as his owner Malcolm Olden of Droitwich firm Chess Plastics is a great supporter of the course.

Vendredi Trois, trained by Emma Lavelle, has run at Worcester five times since 2014 and has never been out of the frame.

The nine-year old won over hurdles here in 2017, finished third in a chase in May this year and followed up that run with a chase win at the course last week.

A further example is the tough mare Deauville Crustal trained by Nigel Hawke.

The five-year old had wind surgery in the spring and bounced back to win a novice chase at Pitchcroft at the end of May and another novice chase last week.

On both occasions she was the only mare in a race of geldings.

Her victory last week came at the expense of Her Majesty The Queen’s homebred Forth Bridge who was just outpaced on the run-in but had previously given trainer Charlie Longsdon his first royal success.

We are hoping for a good turnout for the family fun football raceday on Sunday afternoon, especially after the excitement of England’s victory over Tunisia on Monday.

The much-anticipated England and Panama game will be shown live alongside the action on the racetrack and a host of free entertainment for children including activities for both budding footballers and aspiring jockeys.

The gates open at 12.15pm.