2008 Champion Hurdle hero Katchit is poised to top the bill as the jump racing season begins at Kempton Park Racecourse on Sunday.

But one man who will watch in frustration is the 'face of jump racing' at the Sunbury racecourse because jockey Robert 'Choc' Thornton would have been riding the horse were he not injured.

Instead, the blond jockey - who is currently recuperating from an injury sustained this summer - will be giving visitors an inside view of life in the saddle.

Before racing starts at 2.20pm, 'Choc' and a panel of experts will try to pick out the winners for the crowds. Throughout the afternoon he'll be offering tips for volunteers who get on the jockey equicisor that simulates riding in a race.

Katchit is one of the best horses the jockey has ever ridden. He is entered to run in the £15,000 williamhill.com Hurdle at 4.35pm.

He could be taken on by another Cheltenham winner Menorah, who triumphed in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the festival in March after victory at Kempton Park last Boxing Day. The runner-up at Cheltenham, Get Me Out Of Here, ridden by champion jockey Tony McCoy, is also entered to run on Sunday.

Among other attractions for visitors on Sunday: * Demonstrations from the charity Heros which retrains and re-homes former racehorses; * Walking the final furlong of the racecourse with Robert Thornton; * Going to the start of the races to see the drama when the horses gallop off; * Behind-the-scenes visits to the commentary box and stewards' box.

Amy Starkey, the racecourse's managing director, said: "The first Sunday of the new jump season at Kempton Park will be a great opportunity to enjoy some great racing action, meet the stars of the sport and experience the excitement of jump racing from the inside out."

Sunday is the first of five jump racing fixtures before the end of 2010. Gates open at 12.20pm.

Visitors can also take advantage of the chance to win a Kia Venga car. All that people need to do is pre-book a ticket for any 2010 jump racing fixture to be entered in the draw.

As well as jump racing this autumn, there is also plenty of action on the Flat on Kempton Park's floodlit all-weather surface. There are no fewer than 21 fixtures between 20 October and 30 December, including every Wednesday night.