VISITORS SET TO POUR INTO THE NORTH WEST FOR TOP HORSE RACING OCCASION

13th October 2010

 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner poised for seasonal debut at Haydock

TWENTY thousand followers of jump racing are set to descend on Haydock Park and Aintree Racecourses for the 6th annual Northwest Racing Masters on Saturday and Sunday 20 and 21 November.

It’s a weekend when the two racecourses come together to stage one of the most eagerly anticipated events in horse racing’s calendar.

The quality of racing at Haydock Park – with the £200,000 Betfair Chase as the major attraction – is top class on Saturday, while Aintree combines racing with a festive family day on the Sunday.

A major crowd puller for the Betfair Chase is the likely re-appearance of Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander. It will be his seasonal debut and will bring in racing fans from across Britain.

Dickon White, Haydock Park’s managing director, said: “Betfair Chase day is the highlight of the jump racing season at Haydock Park, and we’re anticipating another superb occasion this year.

“The meeting puts the racecourse in the national spotlight, and attracts a large and enthusiastic crowd. The likely appearance of the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander is the icing on the cake.

“The Northwest Racing Masters is not only a superb sporting occasion but also a boost for tourism in the region.”

Haydock Park’s jump racing season resumes in October and, aside from the showpiece occasion that is Betfair Chase day, other highlights include Peter Marsh Chase day on Saturday 22 January 2011 and Haydock Park Gold Cup day exactly four weeks later. The jumps season finishes on Easter Saturday which falls on Saturday 23 April next year.

The racecourse has a superb set of fixtures next year, and Dickon White said: “We are very pleased with our racing programme for next year. We have been able to strengthen our fixtures, and so we look ahead to 2011 with confidence and expectation.”

October 2010: Wednesday 27th
November: Thursday 4th; Saturday 20th
December: Saturday 18th; Thursday 30th
January 2011: Saturday 22nd
February: Saturday 19th
March: Wednesday 23rd
April: Easter Saturday 23rd

More details about all of Haydock Park’s fixtures are available at website www.haydock-park.co.uk.

ENDS