JOCKEY Tom Scudamore - grandson of Bromsash National Hunt trainer Michael Scudamore - has landed one of the top jobs in the saddle.

He's stepping into his father Peter's former stirrups and becoming stable jockey to the powerful Pipe' training yard.

But, whereas his dad worked for multiple Champion Trainer Martin Pipe, Tom is with Pipe jnr, David, who is enjoying a fine season after succeeding his father last spring.

Tom, whose career can now only go from strength to strength, has had his busiest season around Hereford Racecourse so far with 35 rides. If he's not in action here at the Easter holidays fixture on Wednesday, April 11, he'll certainly be back for the following meeting on Thursday, May 3.

Another rider with local connections has been having a successful time in the saddle of late, too.

March was Liam Treadwell's best-ever month for winners. On the final day, he partnered Misty Dancer to victory in a valuable handicap chase at Ascot. The eight-year-old, trained by Venetia Williams, appreciated the extra distance after running reasonably in mid-division in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham a fortnight before.

Local people have been raising money for schools, charities and sports clubs because Hereford Racecourse is donating £3 from every £13 admission ticket bought in advance for the racing on April 11 to the purchaser's chosen organisation.

As well as seven horse races, children can win a session in a professional recording studio and have their own CD produced at a karaoke contest. The competition runs throughout the afternoon, courtesy of the Classic Hits roadshow.

Racecourse mascot Willie Winnit will be entertaining the youngsters too, with under-11s getting the chance to win a Thorntons chocolate Easter bunny in a colouring competition.

Three days after the forthcoming Hereford fixture, it's the Grand National at Aintree.

Eighty-one horses remain in the race. Both The Outlier and Sonevafushi should make the final field of 40 should Venetia Williams choose to run them, but both have alternative engagements. Each would carry a nice low weight if the 2005 winner Hedgehunter remains in the race.

Next week I'll suggest the horse that I think could go close to winning it.

*The next meeting at Hereford Racecourse is on Wednesday 11 April when the first race is scheduled for 2.10pm. Gates open at 12.10pm. Admission into the Grandstand Enclosure is £13. Accompanied children under 16 enter free of charge. More information can be found on web site www.hereford-racecourse.co.uk or by telephoning the racecourse on 01432 273560.