OFFICIALS from Ascot Racecourse have hailed the return of National Hunt racing to the course this year as a great success.

Head of Public Relations at the Berkshire course, Nick Smith, says that rising attendances and higher quality fields have made the 2006/7 jump season the best for some time.

He said: "It was the most successful National Hunt season we have had at the course this decade. We increased the prize money available and that certainly had the desired effect by enticing bigger and higher quality fields than we have seen for some time.

"Attendances were up on every fixture and our themed days proved very popular, so we will be continuing with them in the future." Allied Irish Bank sponsored the Overseas Trainer Championship at the course, which Mr Smith believes played a big part in creating more interest abroad.

He said: "The 25,000 euro prize certainly helped to raise the profile of Ascot's jump season in Ireland." And he was delighted to see several very high-profiled horses racing at the course over the season. Mr Smith said: "I would say the highlight was Hardy Eustace winning the Coral Ascot Hurdle with Mighty Man a close second. Mighty Man went on to win the John Smith's Hurdle at Aintree, which proves the quality of the field." National Hunt racing returned to Ascot this season after a break during its refurbishment.

The course is now looking ahead to the flat season which starts on Wednesday, May 3, by which time a second phase of redevelopment work is expected to be completed.