Local racing fans can look forward to a double-header this weekend, with the Saturday flat fixture at Ripon followed by the jumps meeting at Wetherby on Sunday.

The seven-race programme at Ripon, first of the course's five Saturday afternoon meetings this summer, begins in blistering style at 2.00 as three-year-old sprinters are put through their paces in the Ripon Future Sprint Stars Handicap Stakes over six furlongs. Tim Easterby's Distant Times, to be ridden by Kevin Darley, holds strong claims in the event, which is to be shown live on Channel 4.

Stayers are catered for in the second televised race, the C.B. Hutchinson Memorial Challenge Cup, a contest over two miles at 2.35. Kevin Ryan's Gralmano will be fitter after a spin on the all-weather, though I'd take note if John Dunlop honours the entry for Heir To Be, the intended mount of George Duffield.

The afternoon's most valuable race, the £16,000 ripon-races.co.uk Conditions Stakes, contested over the extended one mile and a half at 4.20, could well go to the Michael Jarvis-trained Putra Sandhurst. Both trainer and jockey Philip Robinson are in sparkling early-season form. James Fanshawe's Arresting would also come into it if the entry is confirmed.

Channel 4 is also showing four live races from the big jumps/flat meeting at Sandown, starting with a hot handicap hurdle at 1.45, in which Jim Culloty's booking for the consistent Hawadeth looks interesting, as is the engagement of Barry Geraghty for Paul Nicholls' Cenkos in The Queen Mother Celebration Chase over two miles at 2.20.

The £100,000 Group 2 one mile flat race at 2.55 looks a cracker, with plenty holding chances, including Barry Hills' Pablo, Sir Michael Stoute's Sublimity and Mark Johnston's Gateman. However, James Fanshawe's Soviet Song, to be partnered by Johnny Murtagh, could well be the one they all have to beat, though the market will prove a good guide.

In the £150,000 Betfred Gold Cup Chase over the extended 3m 5f at 3.35, I cannot ignore the chances of Shardam, the column's tip for last Saturday's Scottish Grand National, but a late withdrawal. The seven-year-old, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, has been installed as 6/1 ante-post favourite for the race and can be expected to go close. Stable jockey Carl Llewellyn is in the plate.

Wetherby's Family Day on Sunday is the first of a dozen Sunday meetings in Yorkshire this year - and the highly competitive seven-race programme begins at 2.20.

There's plenty of action on and off the track, with attractions galore for families, including three performances during the afternoon in the Course Enclosure by The National Festival Circus, along with a whole host of activities for youngsters.

The first 750 children through the gates will receive a voucher for free ice-cream and free sweets will also be handed out.

As usual, accompanied children under 16 years of age will be admitted free into all enclosures, while cars can be taken into the Course Enclosure for £14, which includes up to a maximum of four adults.

Sunday's meeting also sees the launch of this year's special racecard competition on the Yorkshire racecourses, the ultimate prize being a week-long holiday for two in Dubai next year, taking in the 2005 Dubai World Cup.

Last Saturday, the column tipped El Coto, 20/1 winner of the Newbury Spring Mile, while three of the other selections finished runners-up.