THE Evening Press-sponsored Sunday race day at York Racecourse will be a feast of entertainment whether you are a seasoned punter or visiting the course for the first time.

As well as the high-quality races which will take place this weekend, the first Sunday race meeting the racecourse has ever hosted, there will be entertainment to keep the whole family enthralled.

At 1pm members of the Yorkies Free Fall Parachute Display Team will literally drop in on the track.

All the team members are either Regular or TA soldiers in the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire. They should provide a good show as all the men have to do a minimum of 200 descents before they have a chance of joining the team.

The Yorkies were formed in 1990 to provide arena displays in Yorkshire and promote public awareness of the regiment to encourage recruitment.

Meanwhile the jockeys will not be the only ones on horseback as the First Dragoons Cavalry and Artillery show off their equestrian skills between 12.45pm and 1.15pm.

The colourful display team was established in Huddersfield eight years ago and the members, mostly ex-army and mounted police, now wear their 19th century scarlet uniforms every weekend to train or perform up and down the country.

They also compete against the regular army and police at tournaments, making a name for themselves with a win at Royal Windsor last year and a creditable third place at the Royal Tournament.

"We are put through our paces with our swords and lances by an ex-army instructor from the Household Cavalry," said Mike Grove of the First Dragoons.

"Even though we are only slicing lemons and cabbages in half, it's important that we get it right."

And don't forget to visit the racecourse's museum, which is packed full of weird and wonderful equestrian memorabilia built up since it opened in 1965.

The museum will be open all day.

For tickets, racegoers can pay as they enter the racecourse or write to the Ticket Office, York Race Committee, The Racecourse, York, YO23 1EX, enclosing a cheque. Full-price tickets in the County Stand are £20 and tickets in Tattersalls cost £10 each.