Racing legend Bob Champion will make a much anticipated return to 'lucky' Chepstow Racecourse to host Jump Legends Raceday on Saturday 12th October.

"I loved riding around Chepstow. It was a lucky course for me at which I won many big races and considered Chepstow to be the heart of racing," explains Bob.

"I truly believe the 1978 Finale Juvenile Hurdle was the classiest race of my career.

"The race attracted an abundance of class horses, I rode Tiepolino and won by a short head, but every horse went on to be multiple winners.

"Chepstow will be the first track outside Aintree to host a Legends Race in aid of The Bob Champion Cancer Trust and Spinal Research – two such worthy charities.

"Seeing the former jockeys back in the saddle is a joy for all racegoers and the one with the best horse will win."

Ten legends have agreed to roll back the years to ride in the 1m 7f charity contest and Bob Champion casts his eye over the leading contenders:

• Carl Llewellyn: A fantastic jockey with multiple National victories to his name – watch out for this Welsh wizard.

• Brendan Powell: A true legend and one of the nicest men in racing. Likely to carry a little overweight.

• Jimmy Frost: A lovely person and good jockey who has ridden the Welsh track many times.

• Adrian Maguire: Adrian is one of the best jockeys to have ridden and not be Champion Jockey. 

He's just fantastic and a joy to watch in the saddle. Now successfully training in Ireland, Adrian rides out most days and leads my betting market.

• Graham Bradley is a complete artist in the saddle and it will be great to see him back on course.

• Jim Culloty has won all the big races – multiple Gold Cups, a Grand National – what more can you say?

• Assistant trainer Jim McCarthy has only recently retired from race-riding.

Couple this with his hard-graft attitude, he's sure to have an upper hand on the fitness stakes.

• When race riding, Kevin Mooney was always among the leading contenders when needed and will attempt similar tactic next month.

• Richard Rowe took over from me when I retired from Josh Gifford's yard and had a very successful career. Now reaping the rewards as a trainer and should have a nice mount.

• Leglock Luke Harvey, who won the Welsh National on Cool Ground in 1990. Now a TV presenter on At The Races he's one of the true characters of the sport.

Horseracing's ultimate legend – current 18 times Champion Jockey, AP McCoy – is lending his support to the raceday and will officially start the charity contest at 2pm.

In addition to the celebrity jockeys, there will be a parade of equine legends.  Leading the spectacle will be Big Buck's, the greatest staying hurdler in history, with 23 wins and more than £1.25m in prize money to his name, supported by former stable mate Neptunes Collonges.

Phil Bell, executive director of Chepstow Racecourse, said: "We are really looking forward to hosting the Legends Race in aid of two extremely worthy causes.

"This meeting signifies the start of the winter jumping season. As well as the 10 legendary jockeys in action in the charity race, there is £100,000 of prize money on offer across the card."

Advanced tickets are available from £18 via chepstow-racecourse.co.uk or by calling 01291 622 260.