THE Prince of Wales joked "Better late than never" when he officially opened the Jubilee Stand at Ludlow Racecourse on Monday.

It was his second try as a year earlier he had to call off a planned visit because atrocious weather meant his helicopter could not land.

This time, the royal helicopter descended right on time from a clear blue sky in front of thousands who had arrived to see him.

As an appropriate touch, Prince Charles was there to see the Prince of Wales Amateur Riders Handicap Steeplechase won by the favourite, the Irish horse Channahrlie.

The Prince flew in from Great Witley just after the second race of the day. After being greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire Algernon Heber-Percy, he walked to the paddock where the six horses taking part in the Prince of Wales Handicap, otherwise known as the 1.50, were parading.

He stopped for a chat in the paddock with his former racing manager Nick Gaselee and cast an appraising glance at the horses circling him. He looked relaxed, clearly enjoying the atmosphere of a race meeting on a chilly but bright winter's day.

As the horses went under starters' orders, the Prince stepped out on to the balcony of the new stand. By then the odds against Channahrlie had shortened to 13-to-8 as royal well-wishers decided there could only be one winner.

They were right and there was genuine joy all round as the Prince of Wales presented the Challenge Trophy, a bronze of himself on his favourite horse Alibar, to owner John Cunnow. There were also mementos for trainer Robin Dickin and rider Tom Malone.

Alibar was the horse that Prince Charles rode in the Clun Amateur Riders Steeplechase at Ludlow in October 1980. It was his first ride in a National Hunt race. He recalled the race when he unveiled a plaque to commemorate his latest visit.

He spoke of his pleasure in coming back to Ludlow without butterflies in his stomach. He remembered how he led on his first circuit of the course, fell well behind second time round and managed to almost catch up with the winner at the end.

But there was a moment of sadness as he paid tribute to Alibar as the finest horse he had known. He said he was thrilled to open the new stand and added: "I do hope this stand will provide all sorts of facilities for years to come."

As the Prince returned for the fourth race of the day, Channahrlie's trainer Robin Dickin said he felt "quite honoured" by the occasion.

"I was born in Ludlow and I feel my late father was watching over me today," he added.

Owner John Cunnow was also a happy man. "Channahrlie is a marvellous horse," he said. "I paid £5,000 for him but I never thought he would get me to meet Prince Charles."

Monday's meeting marked the 21st running of the three mile Prince of Wales Steeple Chase for five-year-olds and above, which commemorates the Prince's race on Alibar.

The Jubilee Stand includes a completely refurbished bar and cafeteria and a new Tote betting office.

It doubles the area of covered terracing in the old Tattersalls stand and includes a roof top with a panoramic view over the whole course.

There are also six hospitality boxes and a restaurant. It came into use last December so had waited 11 months to be officially opened in grand style.