Punters to enjoy an early beer on the River Thames as iconic British racecourse welcomes back the jumps after 20 years

PUNTERS will be able to enjoy an early beer on the River Thames when an iconic British racecourse welcomes the jumps back for the first time in more than 20 years.

Summer racegoers who visit Windsor are well used to hopping on the river boat and sipping a quick one en route to the famous Berkshire track.

And even though it might not hold the same appeal wrapped up in a coat and hat, the much-loved service will be in operation when National Hunt racing returns to the venue this weekend.

More than 170 entries have been made for Sunday's jumps action at Windsor - best known for its Monday evening meetings when the weather's hot.

Top trainers including Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson and Dan Skelton are set to have a number of runners on the seven-race card.

The action gets underway with a 2m4f novices' hurdle at 12.10pm, a couple hours after the first boat is set to depart the promenade for the track.

More than £100,000 will be on offer to those owners, trainers and jockeys taking part.

But the meeting is about so much more than that, with one of the country's top Flat courses finally welcoming back the thrills and spills of the jumps after more than two decades.

It hasn't come without its concerns though.

The infamous tight bend after the winning post has seen many a horse slip up.

And the National Hunt types - who generally prefer softer ground conditions - will have to navigate it safely in front of the packed grandstand.

Several jockeys voiced their opinion on how the Arena Racing Company-owned track could be improved at a recent gallops morning.

And clerk of the course Charlie Rees confirmed the changes had now been put in place ahead of the big day.

He said: "Following the feedback after our gallops morning in November, we have been able to make a few amendments to the lay-out of the course.

"Specifically, the top bend beyond the winning post will now be shared by both hurdlers and chasers.

"Also, the chase fences down the home straight have been moved to the far side of the track to offer horses racing on that course a more sweeping bend out of the dog-leg turn.

"These moves on the chase course have resulted in some minor distance amendments to those previously advertised, whist the hurdles course remains unaltered."

Hopefully it all goes without a hitch.

The track, which last hosted jumps action in 1998, has lost its figure-of-eight formation in favour of a continuous left-handed design.

Its proximity to the River Thames means there is great drainage with soft ground likely to be as testing as it will get.

The meeting is the first of three jumps fixtures at Windsor this season.

Days one and three of the Berkshire Winter Million meeting on January 17 and 19 will also be there, with Ascot getting the middle slot.

Tickets for all three days cost just £40.

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