Larkhill hosts its sixth meeting of the season on Saturday as the Avon Vale Races reach the start line, writes Bob Bracher. It will be another opportunity for all of the family to enjoy an afternoon’s racing as well as participating in a family dog show starting at 12.30 plus the usual trade stands, bar, bookmakers and the Taste Team who will be offering spectators a range of local produce to sample and purchase. There will be early bird admission at £8 until 6pm on Frida

The Taste Team, built around Gretchen Winter's Farm Cookery School at Netherstreet, Bromham, brings a new taste dimension to this year's Avon Vale Races through a collection of artisan local producers selling take-home foods and beverages. "There's nothing like the fresh air of a day at the races to bring on an appetite," commented Gretchen. "Our collection of independent producers from around Wiltshire will add a new taste experience and ambiance to the event, and I'm hoping

I recently returned from a short break in Dubai, where my eldest son is on a placement with Meydan Racecourse as part of the innovative and well perceived Darley Flying Start graduate scheme. Of course, there's no Jump racing in the desert - an immediate drawback, although it appears camel racing is as popular, if not more so, than Thoroughbred Flat racing. Meydan is a tribute to Sheikh Mohammed's determination to make Dubai a destination venue for all sport. In the space of