PREPARATIONS for our next meeting, the renowned Beeswing Ladies Day, are well under way at Gosforth Park.

The racecourse is recovering well following the busy three day Northumberland Plate meeting with the recent unsettled weather bringing some good drops of rain to help the grass recover. The entire Flat track has also been verti-drained to reduce compaction in the soil.

During this short break from racing I’m taking in a racing double header in the south. I am down in Ascot today for the Property Raceday – something my sister has organised – to sample life on a racecourse from the other side of the fence. As a guest of Armstrong Events I am looking forwarding to sampling the delights of Ascot from a much different perspective than I am usually used to!

Tomorrow I am off to Newmarket, headquarters of thoroughbred racing, for the Darley July Cup Day. I am hoping to see if our Chipchase winner, Genki, can step up to better things when running in the big race.

Gaps in our programme are few and far between so it’s good to get a look around and see how the others courses do things, giving us food for thought.

Next week I’ll enjoy a few day’s self reward fishing on the Findhorn, before the countdown to Ladies Day, and what has become one of the most prestigious events in the Newcastle social calendar, begins.

A variety of ticket options and hospitality packages are still available for the Beeswing Ladies Day, which takes place on Saturday, July 23.

For more details on Newcastle Racing & Events or to purchase Ladies Day tickets, please visit www.newcastle-racecourse.co.uk or call 0191 236 2020

:: James Armstrong is clerk of the course at Gosforth Park