STABLE staff will have another reason for looking forward to visiting Chepstow Racecourse with their horses from next month.

For, in addition to the subsidised meals that they already receive, they will be given free tea and coffee.

It's the latest initiative from Chepstow Racecourse to look after a section of the horseracing community whose contribution is often overlooked. They work long, and often unsocial, hours. Indeed they rise from their beds while many of us are still fast asleep. They enjoy an outdoor life, but that means being out in all weathers, looking after the racehorses in their charge.

Life can be hard for stable staff. It can also be tough for jockeys.

There was much relief when 21-year-old rider Robert Stephens - who hails from near Chepstow - turned out not to have been so badly injured as first feared after a horrific fall in a race at Uttoxeter Racecourse. Doctors were most concerned for him as he was rushed to hospital with shoulder and facial injuries. But he is now recovering at home and we look forward to seeing him riding again in the not too distant future, especially at Chepstow, where he has two career winners to his name. l The loss of the racecourse's first Sunday meeting in nearly nine years was disappointing for the many people who were looking to a very good set of races last weekend. The temperatures just did not rise quickly enough in the morning and clerk of the course Tim Long had no alternative by mid-morning than to call off the fixture.

The next racing at Chepstow Racecourse is on Saturday February 25, when the first race is scheduled for 2.10pm. Entrance gates open two hours earlier.

Rest of the 2005/6 National Hunt season at Chepstow: Saturday, March 11; Wednesday, March 22; Thursday, March 30; Saturday, April 8; Tuesday, April 18; Friday evening April 28.

More details about racing at Chepstow are available on web site www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk; or contact the Racecourse Office on 01291 622260.