Kempton Park Racecourse hosts one of the most eagerly anticipated horse races of the year this Saturday.

The £100,000 Racing Post Chase is one of the showpieces of jump racing, and has been graced over the decades by many of the great National Hunt horses like the legendary Desert Orchid.

The day is second only to Boxing Day in importance in the sporting calendar at Kempton Park.

The racecourse's managing director Amy Starkey said: "Racing Post Chase day is always a fantastic spectacle. The TV cameras are here, the focus of the racing world is on Kempton Park, and a big crowd of jump racing enthusiasts come along to watch."

Last year's winner of the three-mile race Nacarat has been made the favourite by the bookmakers to defend his title.

More than £200,000 in prize-money up for grabs on the day with other highlights including the Racing Post Weekender Pendil Novices' Chase, the Williamhill.com Dovecote Novices' Hurdle and the Racingpost.com Adonis Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

It's a certainly than many of the horses running at Kempton Park will be seen again at the Cheltenham Festival next month, the premier occasion of the National Hunt season.

The first race of seven on Saturday is at 1.30pm.

Visitors will also be in with a chance to win a trip to two to horse racing's World Cup in Dubai in March. While Tinseltown gets ready for the Oscars, the Horscars are being held on Racing Post Chase day at Kempton Park.

It comprises five awards, the leading male (colt or gelding), leading female (filly or mare), best director (trainers), best supporting actor (jockey) and best overall performance (in any horse).

Voting covers the 2009 flat season and the 2009-10 jumps season so far.

Visitors who book online at www.kempton.co.uk by midday on Friday 26 February can take advantage of a Punters' Package. Priced at £20, it includes admission; a copy of the Racing Post newspaper; a drink; a £25 William Hill bet; and a discounted return visit voucher to the racecourse.

More details about racing at Kempton Park are available at www.kempton.co.uk