Wetherby is delighted to welcome 888sport as a new sponsor, with the company generously sponsoring all 13 races over the two days.

The feature race on Boxing Day is the £45,000 G3 888sport Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (2.10pm, 10 runners), with top-weight Lake View Lad (Nick Alexander/Henry Brooke, 11st 12lb) aiming for back-to-back victories in the three-mile highlight.

Lake View Lad would become the first dual winner of the 888sport Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, while his jockey Henry Brooke is seeking a fourth straight success in the race having also triumphed on Get On The Yager (2017) and Definitly Red (2016).

The Trevor Hemmings-owned Lake View Lad was third in the G3 Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March and the nine-year-old finished fifth on his seasonal return in the Listed Rehearsal Handicap Chase at Newcastle on November 30.

Trainer Nick Alexander, who is based in Kinneston, Scotland, said today: "Lake View Lad is in good order and the 888sport Rowland Meyrick has been the target since Newcastle. "We were pleased with him in the Rehearsal and he will have definitely come on from it. He had to carry a lot of weight and it was testing ground, but he performed creditably. "He has been a superb horse for the yard and hopefully he can run another big race at Wetherby."

Likely favourite Top Ville Ben (Phil Kirby/Thomas Dowson, 11st 11lb), who was G1-placed in novice company at Aintree in April, scored twice over the course distance last season.

He was worn down late on when third in the Listed Rehearsal Handicap Chase last time out, with Jonniesofa (Rose Dobbin/Craig Nichol, 10st 13lb) not far behind in fourth.

Dan Skelton has been the most successful trainer at Wetherby over the last five seasons and the Warwickshire handler is represented by Benny's King (Bridget Andrews, 11st 2lb), who captured the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase at Newbury on his latest start. Local handler Sue Smith and the Scholey family have two contenders - G2 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase victor Wakanda (Danny Cook, 11st 6lb), who has run well in this race for the last the three years, and one-time leading Grand National fancy I Just Know (Derek Fox, 10st 11lb).

Guitar Pete (Nicky Richards/Ryan Day, 10st 12lb) steps up to three miles after a rare below par performance in the G3 BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 16.

He had started the campaign with a smooth success in the Listed bet365 Handicap Chase over just shy of two and a half miles at Wetherby on November 1.

A competitive line up also includes progressive novice Rocco (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Jamie Bargary, 10st 4lb), Didero Vallis (Miss Lucy Turner (7), 10st 3lb)) for the red hot Venetia Williams stable, and Lachlan Bridge (Micky Hammond/Miss Becky Smith (3), 10st 8lb)).

Wetherby's seven-race programme on Boxing Day starts at 11.55pm and ends at 3.20pm.

Gates open at 10.00am and racegoers are advised to share transport, where possible, and arrive as early as they can on what is always the busiest day of the year at the racecourse.

As usual, a shuttle bus will be operating between the town and the racecourse before and after racing.

Given the large level of rainfall in recent weeks, and the current forecast for Boxing Day, racegoers are also strongly recommended to dress for the weather and wear footwear appropriate to the underfoot conditions.

The 888sport Yorkshire Christmas Meeting continues on Friday, December 27, when the highlight is the £25,000 888sport Castleford Handicap Chase over two miles.

Among the 16 entries are prolific mare Lady Buttons (Phil Kirby) and recent Newbury scorer Magic Saint (Paul Nicholls).

The going at Wetherby is currently Soft.

There is a chance of rain (3mm) overnight into Tuesday. Christmas Day is expected to be dry, with the possibility of up to 10mm of rain on Boxing Day.

Racegoers wanting to attend are advised to book tickets by visiting www.wetherbyracing.co.uk.

The Premier Enclosure has sold out, however, Paddock Enclosure E-Tickets can continue to be purchased through until midnight on Christmas Day.