ADVANCE ticket sales for Coral Welsh National day are ahead of previous years despite the economic downturn.

It goes to show that people are determined to enjoy the festive season of which horse racing at Chepstow Racecourse two days after Christmas plays such a big part.

The biggest crowd of the year comes to the racecourse - keen racing fans and families seeking a great day out - with everyone excitedly anticipating the £100,000 Coral Welsh National.

The racing attracts interest across Britain, with BBC TV devoting an entire programme and popular broadcaster Clare Balding presenting the show.

And the crowds that will pack the grandstands on Saturday 27 December are almost certain to be welcoming back the two horses that fought out such a scintillating neck-and-neck finish in last year's race.

The race is the target for 2007 hero Miko De Beauchene. It will be a heart-tugging return for the horse that was trained by Robert Alner who suffered terrible injuries in a car accident several weeks before the race.

Up against Miko will be Halcon Genelardais, the horse which won the £100,000 Welsh National two years ago. He made an excellent seasonal debut, and trainer Alan King has confirmed that the eight-year-old will bid to regain his crown.

Chepstow Racecourse's new General Manager is Richard Holland, and he's eagerly looking forward to the big day as much as everyone else, especially as it is his very first Welsh National.