THOUSANDS of punters made their way to Chester Racecourse as the 2018 season begins to draw to a close with the Autumn Festival.

A total of 7,085 attended the meeting on Friday, September 14, a figure one per cent up on the corresponding fixture last year.

This was followed by 14,322 racegoers enjoying the Saturday fixture, a 10 per cent increase from the same fixture in 2017.

Among those present on Saturday was ex-footballer Michael Owen, who was in the winners’ enclosure.

He said: “We all know the barriers with horses. We have to dare to dream. I’ve done 29 hours travelling to get here, I had to get here. My mum dropped me off at the course!”

The season finale at Chester Racecourse is the Golden Square Shopping Centre meeting which takes place on Saturday, September 29.

Meanwhile, Chester Racecourse has teamed up with At The Races, alongside Travel Partner Destination2.co.uk to launch a special competition in which one lucky winner, plus guest, will win the opportunity to travel to Melbourne to watch Chester Cup winner Magic Circle in his quest for £4 million glory at Flemington Racecourse on November 6.

For more details, visit www.attheraces.com/melbourne.