'Overtime you won't mind putting in'

Haydock Park Racecourse will be hosting its second full day business to business networking event on Wednesday 24th March 2010.  Guests from around the region will be treated to a first class day of racing and hospitality, including; welcome refreshments, a hospitality suite overlooking the racecourse, VIP raceday entry badge and racecard, a luxury buffet and an exciting afternoon of top class racing, plus, of course, the opportunity to network with some of the region's most dynamic business people.

Racedays at Haydock Park offer a fantastic environment to network, arguably more so than any other sport because there's a half hour gap between races, guests aren't stuck in their seats to watch the sporting action and there is an opportunity to "bond" when their horses win!

The corporate racecourse environment is also extremely attractive to businesses because of the potential to network and do business with other corporate clients.

Jonathon Chu, Business Development Executive at Haydock Park Racecourse, said: "This is our 2nd Haydock Park Business Club Raceday, which we hope will continue to grow on the success of our premier event and put the Club firmly onto the northwest networking scene.  In addition to a fantastic day of racing and networking, we are also offering an exclusive commercial package for businesses keen on raising their profile on the day."

Adding: "The package, which includes; a named race, full page advert in the racecard for your company, prime on-site banner locations, an on-site trade stand or promotional vehicle, as well as links through Haydock Park's website and social media networks, provides a great value way for small companies to reach a national audience."

Ticket prices for the event are £70 per person (inc VAT) and to book your place, or for more information on becoming an event sponsor, contact Jonathon Chu on 01942 407 294 or email Jonathon.Chu@jockeyclubracecourses.com

Further upcoming racedays at Haydock Park Racecourse include the Gold Cup Raceday on Saturday 20th February, Easter Saturday racing on 3rd April and our Bootleg Beatles Music Evening on Saturday 24th April 2010.  For further information on tickets or special hospitality options that are available, please call 01942 402624.

Runners-up in the X Factor in 2008, their first two singles have gone to the top of the radio airplay charts, and the group have just released their debut album which sold half a million copies in three weeks.

The most successful new group of the year, they embarked on a UK tour to sell-out audiences in December 2009.

And their February 2010 UK tour sold out within 24 hours with extra dates being added due to popular demand for both London and Manchester.

Dickon White, Haydock Park Racecourse's managing director, said: "This is a major coup for the racecourse.  JLS will be a big hit with us.

"They are now so well known after their popularity on the X Factor, and are perfect for our Saturday music night in June."

Formed just two years ago, for most of the British public, Oritsé, JB, Aston and Marvin are the most successful group of all time to enter the X Factor.

JLS – short for Jack the Lad Swing, a composite of their cheeky onstage persona – will play at the second music night of 2010 at Haydock Park on Saturday 19 June.

Tickets, which include the evening's horse racing too, are on sale online at www.haydock-park.co.uk - Premier Enclosure (£43), County Stand (£28) and Tattersalls (£18).  They can also be purchased by calling the ticket hotline - 0844 579 3006.

Haydock Park's popular music nights during the Flat racing season in the spring and summer are increasingly pulling in the big name bands and artists.

The racecourse has already announced that Simply Red are returning in 2010.  It follows on from the band's groundbreaking performance in August 1999.  They play live again on Saturday 17 July in 2010.

For further information, please contact:
Dickon White, managing director, at Haydock Park Racecourse, on 01942 725963

On Saturday (evening) 19th June 2010, Cancer Research UK will be hosting their annual fund-raising event, which promises to be a fun event with an important message that increases both the awareness and education about cancer risk and the work of Cancer Research UK at both a local and national level.

They are hoping that your company/organisation will benefit from this awareness along with having the chance to enjoy an entertaining race evening whilst supporting such a worthwhile cause.

Click on the link below which is a brochure detailing the raceday packages available for this event or contact Christine Blundell on 07966 888667 or email cblundella@hotmail.co.uk for further details.

It will truly be an evening to remember with top class hospitality, including 4 course-meal, as well as entertainment to impress. Hattons Solicitors will also be raising money for the Steve Prescott Foundation throughout the day, helping Christies Hospital and the Try Assist Fund.

Hattons are selling hospitality places for this racing evening to both businesses and guests alike.

The hospitality package includes...

• Entry Badges
• Racecards
• Viewing of 6 races
• Racing Papers
• Car Parking
• Four-course sit-down menu in the Park Suite
• Full Waitress Food and Drinks Service
• Fully stocked Cash Bar
• Simply Red performing Live on a Summers Evening
• Auction and Raffle

This event is the perfect way to impress your business clients, reward your staff, or simply to enjoy a top class event with friends and colleagues.

Individual hospitality places are available at £98.70 plus VAT per person, or £987 plus VAT for a table of 10.

Sponsorship of one of the individual races is also available, to give your business fantastic brand exposure on what is set to be a very lively and well attended evening at the races. To book your place or for further details on sponsorship packages, contact John Tabern on 07882 540998 or email john.tabern@stradoneltd.com

Mon Mome, Dream Alliance and Hello Bud are among the 21 contenders for this weekend's £100,000 Blue Square Gold Cup.

The potential runners also include two previous winners of the Welsh National - in Miko De Beauchene and Haydock Park regular L'Aventure.

Dream Alliance will use the three and a half mile steeplechase - which is always a good pointer to the Grand National - as a stepping stone to Aintree.

The weights for the race are headed by veteran Our Vic, winner of last month's Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park.

Saturday's races - with almost £240,000 in prize-money on offer - also includes the Joseph Heler Cheese Hurdle (registered as the Rendlesham Hurdle) and the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (registered as the Prestige Novices' Hurdle).

Dickon White, Haydock Park Racecourse's managing director, said: "With jump racing affected badly because of the wintry weather in recent weeks, it is welcome that we are putting on such a high class series of races.

"The Blue Square Gold Cup is certain to be a thrilling contest, and it would be marvellous to see the winners of the Grand National, Welsh National and Scottish National line up for it."

The opening race is scheduled for 1.55pm, with the afternoon wrapping up at 5.15pm with one of the most valuable amateur race on the calendar - the Bet On Your Mobile With Blue Square Walrus Hunters' Chase.

Accompanied children 17 years and under are, as always, given free admission, while senior citizens and students can enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price.

*Admission: Newton Enclosure £8; Tattersalls £15; County Enclosure £23; Premier Enclosure £34. Accompanied children under 16 enter free. Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price. More details about racing at Haydock Park are available on web site www.haydock-park.co.uk.

For further information, please contact:
Dickon White, managing director, at Haydock Park Racecourse, on 01942
725963

Following in the original Fab Four's footsteps, the Bootleg Beatles continue to keep the spirit and magic of the world's greatest pop group alive with sell out performances of classic hits such as 'Love Me Do', 'A Hard Day's Night' and 'Let it Be'.

Launching this year's Music Night concert series at Haydock Park, the internationally acclaimed Bootleg Beatles are the latest band confirmed for this year's line up; joining British soul sensations Simply Red who are set to wow crowds live after racing on Saturday 17 July.

With a further music night to be confirmed in the near future, the announcement of the Bootleg Beatles and Simply Red make up the strongest line up that has so far performed at Haydock Park Racecourse's concert night series and which is already set to be a huge hit for racing and music fans alike.

Dickon White, Haydock Park Racecourse's managing director, said: "Haydock Park's series of music nights after racing has got better year after year and the crowds keep returning in even big numbers. We are extremely excited to be welcoming the Bootleg Beatles on Saturday 24 April as we launch the 2010 season of music nights."

Tickets include the evening's horse racing and after racing concert and are on sale now.

Bookings can be made online at www.haydock-park.co.uk, by telephone on 0844
579 3006 or from Haydock Park Racecourse.

Tickets are priced at: Premier Enclosure £43; County Stand £28; Tattersalls £18; Newton Enclosure £10.

For further information, please contact:
Dickon White, managing director, at Haydock Park Racecourse, on
01942 725963

Sunday 7th March 2010

Calling all Brides To Be!

Haydock Park Racecourse will be hosting a Wedding Fayre on Sunday 7th March 2010.  This is your opportunity to come and view our fantastic suites, all laid out for a Wedding Reception! 

Or, if you already have your venue booked, come and visit the numerous stand-holders here on hand to give you some great tips and innovative ideas for your big day!

Doors open at 12 noon until 4pm with Fashion shows commencing from 2pm.

Entrance Fee £1.00 with complimentary 'Just Brides' Brochure, Bucks Fizz and Canapes on arrival. 

Car Parking is FREE!

More than a decade since Simply Red's phenomenal performance at Haydock Park, the legendary band are set to return to the racecourse on Saturday 17th July 2010 as part of their 'Live on a Summer Night's' tour.

The first of three acts confirmed to perform live after evening racing at next year's concert series, 2010 is already looking to be a year packed full of entertainment and top racing.

With a career spanning more than 25 years in the music industry, Simply Red, fronted by legendary British soul singer, Mick 'Red' Hucknall, will be performing hit after hit; from Money's Too Tight (To Mention), through to Holding Back The Years, If You Don't Know Me By Now, Stars and Fairground.

Dickon White, Haydock Park Racecourse's Managing Director, said: "Haydock Park's summer series of music nights after horse racing has just got better year after year – and the crowds return in big numbers.

"We're extremely excited to be welcoming back Mick Hucknall and the band 11 years after the first-ever concert at Haydock Park."

Tickets for the horse racing fixture and the Simply Red concert on Saturday 17 July are now on sale and can be booked online at

www.haydock-park.co.uk or by calling 0844 579 3006.

Premier Enclosure £45; County Stand £34; Tattersalls £20;
For more information, go online at www.haydock-park.co.uk.RACING

The event recognises the excellence and achievements of all those businesses, organisations and individuals who contribute so much to the Borough's growing tourism industry.

A variety of categories cover the whole spectrum of the industry, from Most Welcoming Receptionist to Tourism/Leisure Entrepreneur of the Year. Independent guest judges from across Merseyside reviewed a host of applications and interviewed successful nominees to determine the most deserving winners in each category.

Ellie Senior, Marketing Co-ordinator at Haydock Park won the ‘Outstanding Young Person of the Year' award and Haydock Park's Operations Team won the ‘Team of the Year' category.

The Awards ceremony is the perfect showcase for one of the Borough's most important and dynamic growth sectors in terms of developing the local economy. St.Helens has become a new destination of choice for visitors to the Northwest with an eclectic mix of premier sport, glorious countryside, fascinating heritage, vibrant nightlife and quality events."

The St.Helens Tourism & Leisure Awards are funded by St.Helens Council, the North West Regional Development Agency, The Mersey Partnership, the Merseyside Objective 1 programme and the private sector.

Dickon White, Managing Director of Haydock Park Racecourse congratulated the winners “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ellie and the Operations Team on their success.  This is a great achievement for the racecourse and is a reward for all their efforts.”

The seven-year-old, owned by the Glass Half Full partnership that includes Aintree Racecourse chairman Lord Daresbury, is one of 49 high-class entries, up from 39 in 2009, for the prestigious handicap chase.

Lee revealed today: "The Blue Square Gold Cup is definitely Le Beau Bai's target at the moment - hopefully it will rain enough for him. He is also in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown but he is unlikely to run in that because I see that Money Trix is in there and it doesn't seem terribly sensible to take him on at level weights.

"Haydock is a good, stiff track that should play to Le Beau Bai's strengths and is very much plan A."
Ridden by his usual partner, the smart amateur Oliver Greenall - Lord Daresbury's son - Le Beau Bai finished less than eight lengths behind Dream Alliance (12/1) when sent off favourite for the Welsh National at Chepstow on December 28, and could line up for the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree in April after running at Haydock Park.

Lee continued: "We were absolutely thrilled with him in the Welsh National because he's only a pony, he's tiny and I thought he ran a tremendous race.

"Lord Daresbury is very keen for Le Beau Bai to be entered in this year's John Smith's Grand National. The horse is very short on experience but he is the sort that would jump around there. For all he is only little, he is very careful and clever as a cat.

"Oliver would ride him as he gets on very well with the horse. His father has horses in the yard but I use him because he is a very good rider. He is a great horseman and I am lucky to have him."

Big race veteran Our Vic (20/1) won the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on January 23, and is one of three horses entered by trainer David Pipe. The others are his fellow David Johnson-owned horses The Package (10/1) and Comply Or Die (20/1), winner of the 2008 John Smith's Grand National.

The Blue Square Gold Cup could see another John Smith's Grand National hero in the field as Venetia Williams has engaged last year's winner, Mon Mome (20/1), alongside Miko de Beauchene (10/1), successful in the 2008 renewal of the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup, as well as that season's Welsh National.

Philip Hobbs has entered this season's Welsh National victor Dream Alliance, while another winner of that Chepstow contest also engaged at Haydock is the Alan King-trained Halcon Genelardais (16/1), successful in 2006. The Lucinda Russell-trained Silver By Nature was runner-up in this season's renewal and currently heads the market with Blue Square at 8/1.

Hello Bud (20/1) landed the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in April for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has also entered Beat The Boys (20/1), Ballyfitz (16/1), Irish Raptor (25/1) and Knowhere (25/1).

The Nicky Henderson-trained Trabolgan (12/1) won the Grade One RSA Chase at The Festival in 2005, while the Martin Todhunter-trained Star De Mohaison (25/1) won that same contest in 2006, when in the care of champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

Nicholls has engaged Nozic (20/1) and Tricky Trickster (10/1), winner of last season's National Hunt Chase at The Festival and currently at the head of the market for the John Smith's Grand National.

The Donald McCain-trained Cloudy Lane (16/1) has notched five successes at Haydock, including the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase in 2009, while Air Force One (25/1), trained by Charlie Mann, has plenty of talent and is being aimed at the John Smith's Grand National.

Character Building (14/1) won the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival for trainer John Quinn, while the Ferdy Murphy-trained New Alco (25/1) was runner-up in the Grade

Three William Hill Trophy at the 2008 Festival and the Jeremy Scott-trained Gone To Lunch (16/1) filled the same berth in the Grade Three Scottish Grand National at Ayr in April.

There are eight Irish-trained entries, headed by a quartet from the Willie Mullins yard. The trainer has engaged Troytown Handicap Chase winner Beroni (14/1), Ballytrim (20/1), Arbor Supreme (20/1) and Pomme Tiepy (20/1). Noel Meade has engaged Grade Two winner Parsons Pistol (20/1), while Tony Martin has entered Newbay Prop (20/1), Hold The Pin (14/1) and Lochan Lacha (25/1). 

Others of note include Cappa Bleu (14/1), Snoopy Loopy (40/1), Companero (14/1), Belon Gale (16/1), Abbeybraney (12/1), Chief Dan George (20/1), According To Pete (16/1) and last season's Blue Square Gold Cup runner-up Coe (14/1).

Weights for the Blue Square Gold Cup will be released on Wednesday, February 3. The maximum number of runners for the Grade Three contest is 20, with two reserves.

The excellent seven-race card at Haydock Park on February 20, also features the £45,000 Grade Two Joseph Heler Cheese Hurdle (2.20pm) over three miles and a furlong, and the £30,000 Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2.55pm) over the same distance.

Dickon White, Managing Director at Haydock Park, commented: "The entries for the Blue Square Gold Cup this year are very strong.

"To have two Grand National winners and several proven Haydock Park performers among the entries is very pleasing while we are also delighted to have received such a strong entry from Ireland."

Opening prices from Blue Square:
8/1 Silver By Nature, 10/1 Miko De Beauchene, 10/1 The Package, 10/1 Tricky Trickster, 12/1 Abbeybraney, 12/1 Dream Alliance, 12/1 Le Beau Bai, 12/1 Trabolgan, 14/1 Beroni, 14/1 Cappa Bleu, 14/1 Character Building, 14/1 Coe, 14/1 Companero, 14/1 Hold The Pin, 16/1 According To John, 16/1 According To Pete, 16/1 Ballyfitz, 16/1 Belon Gale, 16/1 Chiaro, 16/1 Cloudy Lane, 16/1 Gone To Lunch, 16/1 Halcon Genelardais, 16/1 Jass, 16/1 L'Aventure, 20/1 Arbor Supreme, 20/1 Ballytrim, 20/1 Beat The Boys, 20/1 Chief Dan George, 20/1 Comply Or Die, 20/1 Hello Bud, 20/1 Kornati Kid, 20/1 Mon Mome, 20/1 Mumbles Head, 20/1 Newbay Prop, 20/1 Nozic, 20/1 Our Vic, 20/1 Parsons Pistol, 20/1 Pomme Tiepy, 25/1 Air Force One, 25/1 Eric's Charm, 25/1 Irish Raptor, 25/1 Knowhere, 25/1 Lochan Lacha, 25/1 New Alco, 25/1 Oscar Park, 25/1 Out The Black, 25/1 Sherwoods Folly, 25/1 Star De Mohaison, 40/1 Snoopy Loopy
Each-way 1/4 - 1,2,3,4
All quoted

For further information please contact Dickon White, Managing Director at Haydock Park, on 01942 725963 or 07798 928924 or e-mail: dickon.white@jockeyclubracecourses.com

Women are being urged to enter Cancer Research UK's Race for Life and share amazing moments as they become part of the biggest female-only team in the UK.

A team of ladies and Harriet the horse from Haydock Park Racecourse are encouraging them to recruit their friends, family and colleagues now that entry to the Haydock Park event is officially open.

Race for Life is the UK's largest women-only fundraising event series where all the money raised goes to fund Cancer Research UK's life-saving work.

This year Race for Life Haydock Park takes place on Sunday 25th July  at 11.00am at Haydock Park Racecourse.

 2010 will be the first year that Race for Life is taking place at Haydock Park Racecourse. 

Dickon White Managing Director of Haydock Park commented "We are very much looking forward to welcoming Race for Life to Haydock Park Racecourse in summer 2010.  We are delighted to be able to work with Cancer Research UK and play our part in supporting their life-saving work"

In 2010, organisers are encouraging 2000 women to put their best feet forward and raise £97,580.

Race for Life 2010 is going to be full of amazing moments for everyone as women of all ages and fitness abilities join together to walk, jog or run 5k to help beat cancer.

All women are welcome, regardless of whether they are taking part on their own or as part of a group.

Every day, around 96 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West. Race for Life started in 1994. At the time, many people diagnosed with cancer did not survive.  But over the last 16 years, money generated by Race for Life has supported Cancer Research UK's work and now the overall death rate for the disease has dropped by 15 per cent.

Hannah Thomas, Cancer Research UK's North West Event Manager, said: "This year Cancer Research UK's Race for Life is going to be full of amazing moments for everyone - from lining up at the start, side-by-side with thousands of other women, to reading the inspirational 'back-signs' worn by participants to the fantastic sense of achievement from crossing the finish line."

She added: "Women of all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes take part take part in Race for Life. They motivate and inspire each other to complete the 5k course.  Many simply walk round, chatting and having fun but they all share the wonderful atmosphere at the event."

Haydock Park participants will be part of a total of 700,000 women taking part in over 230 events across the UK between May and July.  Cancer Research UK hopes that together they will raise a total of £60 million to fund the charity's life saving work.

Hannah Thomas continued: "One-in-three people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives.  But the good news is that more people are beating the disease than ever before.  Cancer Research UK's work is at the heart of that progress. By helping to raise money through Race for Life, our supporters are turning hope into reality."

Cancer Research UK supports the work of scientists, doctors and nurses who are dedicated to curing cancer by understanding its causes and investigating how best to prevent, diagnose and treat it.

Cancer Research UK spent over £19.5 million in the North West last year on a wide range of research into children's and adult cancers.  Much of this funding goes towards the pioneering work of the doctors and scientists at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research.

Women can enter Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0871 641 1111.

For press enquiries please contact Hannah Thomas, Area Event Manager, on 07918 720 638. Hannah.thomas@cancer.org.uk

About Race for Life

• Cancer Research UK's Race for Life 2010 is the UK's largest women only fundraising series where thousands of women all round the UK come together to share amazing moments and simply walk, jog or run 5k to raise money to help beat cancer.

• Entry fee is £12.99 to cover organisational and administration costs of the series.

• There are over 230 Race for Life events around the UK from May to the end of July.

• Cancer Research UK hopes that over 700,000 women will come together to raise over £60 million to fund Cancer Research UK's life-saving work.

• Race for Life started in 1994 and is celebrating its 16th birthday this year. The first event took place at Battersea Park with 680 participants.

• Since Race for Life began in 1994, an incredible 4.7 million participants across the UK raised over £327 million to fund Cancer Research UK's life-saving work.

• Cancer Research UK's Race for Life 2010 is supported by the following Official Partners, Tesco, NIVEA, Diamond car insurance and Go-Ahead.

About Cancer Research UK

• Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.
• The charity's groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.  This work is funded entirely by the public.
• Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates double in the last thirty years.
• Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of more than 4,800 scientists, doctors and nurses.
• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer.

For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121 6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org

As jump racing gets going again in Britain following the big freeze, Haydock Park is preparing for the classiest sport of the year so far on Saturday (23 JANUARY).

The popular ‘Peter Marsh Chase day' offers more than £200,000 in prize-money and is an occasion that attracts the keenest followers of racing.

And Grand National hero Mon Mome could be heading to Haydock for the feature race – the Peter Marsh Chase which is worth £70,000 alone in prize-money.

Trainer David Pipe may run the veteran Our Vic or Tamarinbleu, while Cheshire's Donald McCain could send Will Be Done for the three-mile race.

The sportingbet.com Champion Hurdle Trial has been re-opened for entries which will include the current Champion Hurdler Punjabi.

An array of veteran steeplechasers will come out for the Tim Molony Chase over three and a half miles.  Included in the entries are 2008 Midlands Grand National winner Himalayan Trail as well as the popular Bob Bob Bobbin.

The afternoon rounds off at 4pm with a race over Haydock Park's “fixed brush” hurdles.

Dickon White, Haydock Park Racecourse's managing director, said: “Peter Marsh Chase day is always one of the highlights of the jump racing season.  Once again, we look certain to attract some of the most talked about horses in the sport, making for a superb attraction for all our visitors.

“Jump racing fans have been starved of a lot of racing because of the recent freezing weather so Haydock Park will warm them up this Saturday.

“Admission starts at just £8.  Accompanied children aged 17 and under are given free admission, while senior citizens and students can enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price.”

First race time is 1.10pm.

*Admission: Newton Enclosure £8; Tattersalls £15; County Enclosure £23; Premier Enclosure £34.  Accompanied children under 16 enter free.   Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price.  More details about racing at Haydock Park are available on web site www.haydock-park.co.uk

For further information, please contact:
Dickon White, managing director, at Haydock Park Racecourse, on 01942 725963

Until now, the racecourse – in common with the majority in Britain – admitted accompanied under 16s without charge. The age has now been lifted to all those ‘17 and under'.  No one will pay until they become an adult.

Dickon White, the racecourse's managing director, said: “We're endeavouring as a racecourse and as a sport to attract as many young people as possible. “With that in mind, the first logical step was to raise our free admission policy to ALL children.  “It is one of the great selling points of horse racing that youngsters are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult.  That's just got better.”

The new policy comes into effect at this Saturday's fixture (23 JANUARY) – the opening meeting of 2010 at Haydock Park.

Admission for adults starts at £8 – and senior citizens and students can enter the Tattersalls and Newton Enclosure Enclosures at half price.

The first race time is 1.10pm.
*Admission: Newton Enclosure £8; Tattersalls £15; County Enclosure £23; Premier Enclosure £34.  Accompanied children aged 17 and under enter free.   Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price.  More details about racing at Haydock Park are available on web site www.haydock-park.co.uk.

For further information, please contact:  Dickon White, managing director, at Haydock Park Racecourse, on 01942 725963

Trainer Peter Bowen is optimistic that Souffleur can provide his handler with a change of luck in the £100,000 Listed Timeform Betfair Racing Club "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle (2.20pm), one of the highlights of a superb seven-race card at Haydock Park on Saturday, November 21.

The Pembrokeshire-based handler sent out Irish Wolf to be a close second in the three mile, one furlong contest in 2006, and saw his Special Envoy fall at the final flight with the race at his mercy the following year, handing victory to Millenium Royal.

Last year, Souffleur found only According To Pete nine lengths too strong when burdened with top-weight. The six-year-old, successful in the Grade One Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury in December, 2007, missed the rest of last season with a leg injury but is reported to be in fine shape by his handler.

Bowen reported today: "Souffleur is on course for the Timeform Betfair Racing Club "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle. He came back with some heat in his leg after he ran in the race last year so we felt that he could do with some time off. He needed three or four months off and the season would have been over by the time we got him back so we decided to wait until this term.
"He is in very good form at the moment and I think that he is getting back to his best. He should get soft ground at Haydock and he ran a blinder in last year's race - especially considering that he came back with the heat in his leg and he was giving weight all round.
"I am hoping that he can become a leading candidate for some of the top staying hurdles this season. He is going to Haydock in great shape and I am hopeful that he can run well.
"I know that we haven't had the best of luck in the race in recent years, with Irish Wolf getting pipped on the line by Halcon Genelardais and Special Envoy falling, but the victory of Snoopy Loopy in the Betfair Chase more than made up for those disappointments."

Souffleur may be joined in the Timeform Betfair Racing Club "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle by the progressive Time For Rupert, from the stable of Paul Webber. The progressive five-year-old comfortably landed novice hurdles at Catterick and Huntingdon last season before gamely fighting off Inchidaly Rock to triumph in the Listed totepool Handicap Hurdle at Aintree's John Smith's Grand National meeting in April. Webber revealed: "We have given Time For Rupert the option of the Timeform Betfair Racing Club "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle and it depends on the going. It is a bit of a worry running him on heavy ground on his seasonal return, especially over three miles and a furlong under a large weight.
"He also has the option of going to Ascot for the Grade Two hurdle there, which looks like it will be a hot race. He will run somewhere and the more sensible competition will be at Haydock, but I just don't want to bottom him on heavy ground - he's a possible runner rather than a probable runner at the moment.
"He has done fantastically over the summer - physically he has improved tremendously and he is much stronger. He is fitter now then he was on his first start of last season but he is facing stronger competition this time round.
"He's only five and the plan is to keep him over hurdles this term. It looks like there is going to be a tremendous bunch of novice chasers this season and we thought that it might be wiser to keep him over the smaller obstacles.
"We are very pleased with him indeed and we are keen to get him to a racecourse this weekend."

A top-quality entry of 28 for the Timeform Betfair Racing Club "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle also includes Diamond Harry, who took last season's Challow Novices' Hurdle prior to coming third in the Grade One Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, as well as Cheltenham Festival winners No Refuge, Naiad Du Misselot, Oscar Park and Kayf Aramis.

Other notable contenders include last season's John Smith's Grand National fourth State Of Play, Grade Two runners-up Ring The Boss and Wendel, and the progressive Charity Lane.

Saturday's card also features the £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase (3.00pm), for which 13 horses were confirmed yesterday headed by dual winner Kauto Star, Irish Grade One scorer Notre Pere, dual Grade Two victor Madison Du Berlais and Imperial Commander, successful in the Grade One Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season.

The second day of the Northwest Racing Masters at Aintree on Sunday, November 22, features two races over the formidable National fences. The three and a quarter-mile £100,000 Listed totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase (1.45pm) is a leading trial for the John Smith's Grand National, with both Amberleigh House and Silver Birch having triumphed in both races in recent years.
Plenty of John Smith's Grand National clues are also set to be revealed in the £70,000 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (12.35pm), which is run over an extended two miles and five furlongs of the National course and is an open handicap for the second time this year.

Peter Bowen is no stranger to success over the unique obstacles, having sent out Dunbrody Millar to win the 2007 John Smith's Topham Chase, and the trainer is keen to see how Valley Ride and Always Waining fare over the world famous fences.
Valley Ride landed a Listed handicap chase at Market Rasen on his first appearance for Bowen at the end of September before coming home 11th in a similar contest at Wincanton on November 7.
Always Waining was seventh behind his stable-companion at Market Rasen, having triumphed in the same race 12 months earlier. The eight-year-old gained valuable experience over the National fences when coming fourth in last season's John Smith's Topham Chase but struggled on his latest start to be 13th in a Listed Handicap Chase at Ascot on October 31.
Bowen commented: "Valley Ride has been given an entry in both the totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase and the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase and he will run in one or the other.
"I felt that he travelled a bit too well at Wincanton and just failed to get the trip. Up until then, I had thought that he would stay three miles easily but he had never travelled so well in his races for his previous connections.
"So he could run over the shorter trip of the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, but we really want to get him over the National fences to see how he adapts to them.
"Always Waining will also be running over the National fences this weekend and we will decide nearer the time which race to go for. He had a little bit of a blip last time out at Ascot but I think that it was a fact that Sam Thomas didn't know the horse too well.
"Soft ground wouldn't be the ideal situation for him but he has jumped well over the fences before, which is always a big plus."

About the Northwest Racing Masters
A superb seven-race card on the first day of the Northwest Racing Masters at Haydock Park on Saturday, November 21, is headed by the Betfair Chase, now in its fifth year and won by the great Kauto Star in 2006 and 2007. Day one also includes the £100,000 Listed Timeform Betfair Racing Club "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle and the £50,000 Tune Into Timeform Radio Hurdle.

The second day of the Northwest Racing Masters at Aintree on Sunday, November 22, features two excellent contests over the world-famous Grand National course among six races, the totesport.com Becher Chase and the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase.

Tickets for both days can be booked online at www.aintree.co.uk and www.haydock-park.co.uk

The Northwest Racing Masters, from the first running in 2005, has established itself as an event, giving racegoers the opportunity of experiencing two different historic courses within a short journey of each other. Haydock Park is between Manchester and Liverpool, close to St Helens, Wigan and Warrington. Aintree is on the northern edge of Liverpool.

The two racecourses are easily accessible by motorway, with Haydock Pak within a mile of the M6 off junction 23 and Aintree close to the end of both the M57 and M58. Both courses boast superb facilities and are ideal for a day out. The whole family can come, with accompanied children aged 16 and under admitted FREE OF CHARGE.

Why not make a weekend of it and enjoy what the region has to offer….
http://www.visitsthelens.com/
http://www.visitsouthport.com/
http://www.visitliverpool.com/

For further information on the Northwest Racing Masters, please contact:
Dickon White, Managing Director at Haydock Park, on 01942 725963 or 07798 928924 or e-mail: dickon.white@jockeyclubracecourses.com
Emma Owen, Marketing & PR Manager at Aintree, on 0151 522 2906 or 07917 266511 or e-mail: emma.owen@jockeyclubracecourses.com

The eight-year-old made a successful raid over the Irish Sea last December when storming to victory in the Grade Three Welsh National at Chepstow, and ended the campaign with a brilliant display of jumping to take the Grade One Punchestown Gold Cup in stunning fashion.

He was sent off a warm order for his seasonal return on his favoured soft ground in the Grade One Down Royal Champion Chase on November 7, but a rare error saw him depart five fences from home.

Kilsallaghan-based Dreaper revealed: “Notre Pere is a possible runner for the Betfair Chase as things stand. He came out his fall at Down Royal fine and it was just one of those things that can happen in racing.

“We will do a more serious schooling session on Tuesday - his jumping seems to be fine - and we will delay a final decision until after that. At the moment, there is a good chance that he will come over to Haydock Park, especially if the ground is soft. 

“I wouldn't be concerned about taking on Kauto Star - we need to get Notre Pere running after that blip the other day. We could wait until the Hennessy, which is always a very competitive race, but we are inclined to go for the first race that is available to him.”

This year's renewal of the Betfair Chase looks set to be another top-class affair, with the outstanding chaser of recent years, Kauto Star, bidding for a third victory in the race to go with his two Cheltenham Gold Cups and three King George VI Chases.

Apart from Notre Pere, the Paul Nicholls-trained chaser is set to take on last season's Grade One Ryanair Chase victor Imperial Commander, from the in-form stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies. The Nicky Henderson-trained Barbers Shop may make his seasonal return at Haydock after coming seventh behind Kauto Star in the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Albertas Run, Madison Du Berlais and Nacarat may also line up in the three-mile contest.

About the Northwest Racing Masters
       
A superb seven-race card on the first day of the Northwest Racing Masters at Haydock Park on Saturday, November 21 is headed by the Betfair Chase, now in its fifth year and won by the great Kauto Star in 2006 and 2007. Day one also includes the £100,000 Listed Timeform Betfair Racing Club "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle and the £50,000 Tune Into Timeform Radio Hurdle.

The second day of the Northwest Racing Masters at Aintree on Sunday, November 22, features two excellent contests over the world-famous Grand National course among six races, the totesport.com Becher Chase and the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase.

Tickets for both days can be booked online at www.aintree.co.uk and www.haydock-park.co.uk

The Northwest Racing Masters, from the first running in 2005, has established itself as an event, giving racegoers the opportunity of experiencing two different historic courses within a short journey of each other.  Haydock Park is between Manchester and Liverpool, close to St Helens, Wigan and Warrington. Aintree is on the northern edge of Liverpool.

The two racecourses are easily accessible by motorway, with Haydock Pak within a mile of the M6 off junction 23 and Aintree close to the end of both the M57 and M58. Both courses boast superb facilities and are ideal for a day out. The whole family can come, with accompanied children aged 16 and under admitted FREE OF CHARGE.

Why not make a weekend of it and enjoy what the region has to offer….

http://www.visitsthelens.com/
http://www.visitsouthport.com/
http://www.visitliverpool.com/
                                           
For further information on the Northwest Racing Masters, please contact:
Dickon White, Managing Director at Haydock Park, on 01942 725963 or 07798 928924 or e-mail: dickon.white@jockeyclubracecourses.com
Emma Owen, Marketing & PR Manager at Aintree, on 0151 522 2906 or 07917 266511 or e-mail: emma.owen@jockeyclubracecourses.com

Next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22, 2009, marks the fifth Northwest Racing Masters which sees thrilling top-class horseracing at two of Britain's best racecourses, Haydock Park and Aintree.

The Northwest Racing Masters, from the first running in 2005, has established itself as a tremendous event, giving racegoers the opportunity of experiencing two different historic courses within a short journey of each other - Haydock Park, between Manchester and Liverpool and close to St Helens, Wigan and Warrington, and Aintree on the northern edge of Liverpool and not far from Southport. The racing is superb over the two days, with Haydock Park staging the £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase as the highlight of a brilliant seven-race card on the first day of the Northwest Racing Masters and Aintree holding two excellent contests over the world-famous Grand National course among six races on day two, the £100,000 totesport.com Becher Chase and the £70,000 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase.

This year's renewal of the Betfair Chase is going to be a cracker. The outstanding chaser of recent years, Kauto Star, is due to bid for a third victory in the race and the expectation is that Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old can make amends after falling at the final fence last season. Kauto Star has won two Cheltenham Gold Cups. His main rivals for the three-mile chase are set to include last season's Grade One Ryanair Chase victor Imperial Commander, from the in-form stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies, and the Nicky Henderson-trained Barbers Shop who may also make his seasonal return at Haydock after coming seventh behind Kauto Star in the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

David Pipe was narrowly denied 12 months ago when Tamarinbleu was collared near the line by Snoopy Loopy and the Pond House handler will this year be represented by Madison Du Berlais, who notched big-race victories last term in Newbury's Hennessy Gold Cup, the Levy Board Chase at Kempton and the totesport Bowl at Aintree in April. Nacarat made an eye-catching debut in Grade One company when coming third in the John Smith's Melling Chase at Aintree in April and trainer Tom George is expecting his stable star to improve significantly on his seasonal return, when he could only finish eighth in the Grade Two Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter at the start of November. The Donald McCain-trained Cloudy Lane has won on five of his eight starts at Haydock Park, including when taking the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase in January, while a return to the course is also on the cards for Rambling Minster, who landed the Grade Three Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock before being pulled up when well fancied for last season's John Smith's Grand National. 

Day two of the Northwest Racing Masters at Aintree on Sunday, November 22, features the £100,000 Listed totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase, which give horses the chance to test their John Smith's Grand National credentials over the Grand National fences. Last year, Black Apalachi revelled on the heavy ground to score a convincing victory over the 2007 winner Mr Pointment and the Dessie Hughes-trained chaser was leading the John Smith's Grand National prior to unseating Denis O'Regan at Becher's Brook in the second circuit.  Hughes is set to bid for a second successive victory in the totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase with his smart performer Vic Venturi, who was placed in Grade One company as a novice chaser and comfortably won a Clonmel chase on his seasonal return at the end of October.
Another potential Irish challenger is the Charlie Swan-trained Offshore Account, who landed a Grade One novice chase at the 2007 Punchestown Festival and came 15th in last season's John Smith's Grand National.  Nigel Twiston-Davies, the only current handler to have won the John Smith's Grand National on two occasions, could be represented by last year's John Smith's Topham Chase victor Irish Raptor and Hello Bud, who won theScottish Grand National at Ayr in April. Other likely runners include yesterday's second The Sawyer, who took a Grade Three handicap chase last season for trainer Bob Buckler, and the Charlie Longsdon-trained Palypso De Creek, a Grade Three winner over Auteuil's fences for former handler Jehan Bertran de Balanda.

The two racecourses are easily accessible by motorway, with Haydock Pak within a mile of the M6 off junction 23 and Aintree close to the end of both the M57 and M58. Both courses boast superb facilities and are ideal for a day out. The whole family can come, with accompanied children aged 16 and under admitted FREE OF CHARGE.

Entrance on the day at Haydock Park costs £45 (Premier Enclosure), £34 (County Enclosure), £20 (Tattersalls Enclosure) and £11 (Newton Enclosure), while Aintree has one enclosure at £19.
Aintree's raceday has one of the warmest, friendliest family atmospheres with Christmas activities marking the start of a very special season - there will be a visit from Santa and his real reindeer.
Dickon White, Managing Director at Haydock Park, said: "The Northwest Racing Masters is now in its fifth year and has firmly established its place in the racing calendar. With its two-day format at Haydock Park on the Saturday and Aintree on the Sunday, it has grown into a mini festival with a significant impact on the local economy in terms of hotel bookings as well as spending in restaurants and other entertainment facilities in the local area.

"We could not have asked for racing of a higher standard in the last four years, with Kauto Star's two Betfair Chase victories standing out. This year is all set to be another fabulous two days of the finest jump racing to be found anywhere and it will be an enthralling spectacle when Kauto Star returns to Haydock Park to attempt a third Betfair Chase victory. Our thanks go to Betfair for their continued sponsorship, while we are also grateful of the significant support of the local authority in their promotion of the Northwest Racing Masters."

Betfair's Head Of Media Tony Calvin commented: "This is our fifth year of the Betfair Chase and it has continued to attract the top-class horses from reigning Gold Cup winner Kicking King in 2005 to the imperious Kauto Star in recent seasons.

"Everyone is focusing on Kauto Star going for a third Gold Cup this year and a fourth King George, but he has also won the small matter of two Betfair Chases, the only other Grade One staying chase in the UK racing calendar. Let's hope he can make it three wins this year. In fact, it could have been the four-timer had he not stumbled and unseated his rider last year - I seem to recall that he was trading at 1-10 in running on Betfair at the time."

Emma Owen, Marketing & PR Manager at Aintree, remarked: "Day two of the Northwest Racing Masters at Aintree features two races over the Grand National fences, including the totesport.com Becher Chase which has proved to be a significant pointer to the John Smith's Grand National itself since its inception in 1992.

"Our thanks go to the tote for sponsoring that race again and the other contest over the Grand National fences, the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase.

"The day also offers fun and activities for all members of the family, while the start of the festive season ensures a tremendous atmosphere complete with Santa and his reindeer!"

George Primarolo of the tote said: "The Northwest Racing Masters has established itself as one of the main festivals in the National Hunt calendar and the racing at both Haydock and Aintree is nothing short of top-class.

"We are proud to have sponsored the totesport.com Becher Chase since 1998 and in that time the race has grown both in stature and in value. It has also become one of the most important Grand National trials of the year with two winners of the race having gone on to win the big one in April in the shape of Amberleigh House and Silver Birch."

For further information on the Northwest Racing Masters, please contact:
Dickon White, Managing Director at Haydock Park, on 01942 725963 or 07798 928924 or e-mail:
dickon.white@jockeyclubracecourses.com
Emma Owen, Marketing & PR Manager at Aintree, on 0151 522 2906 or 07917 266511 or e-mail:
emma.owen@jockeyclubracecourses.com

 THE SAWYER AIMING FOR TOTESPORT.COM BECHER GLORY AT AINTREE

 This year's £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase could meet with the royal seal of approval with the Queen's Barbers Shop under consideration for the prestigious three-mile contest, highlight of racing at Haydock Park on Day One of the Northwest Racing Masters, Saturday, November 21.

The seven-year-old chaser was second to subsequent Ryanair Chase winner Imperial Commander on his seasonal return last year in the Grade Three Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November before going on to a facile victory in a Listed Intermediate Chase at Sandown the following month.

He ended his campaign with a respectable seventh behind Kauto Star on his first appearance in Grade One company in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Sir Michael Oswald, racing manager for The Queen's Jump horses, reported: “We will certainly think about giving Barbers Shop an entry in the Betfair Chase. He has also been entered in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Hennessy but, realistically, he might be too highly rated to run in handicap company. He would be giving lumps of weight away and it could be wiser to go for more open races like the Betfair Chase.

“From what he has done so far in his career, you wouldn't see him threatening the likes of Kauto Star. I was worried about running him in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year because there have been so many horses who experience a tough race at Cheltenham and never come back.

“But he didn't really get involved in a hard finish - he ran well and jumped the course beautifully - and Barry (Geraghty) said that he wasn't quite strong enough yet. He's only seven and I would hope that, by getting a little bit stronger, he would be that much better.

“He has got an awful lot of promise over fences and it is just a question of how much improvement has come from a summer of strengthening up. Everything looks good at the moment - he is moving good, working well - but it's hard to tell how good he is unless we test the water against the very top chasers.

“I think that the best plan is to enter him for all of the top races, see how they look, and then eventually we will have to go for one. We will have to bite the bullet at some point and see how good he is.”

This year's Betfair Chase looks set to be another top-quality renewal, with the likes of Kauto Star, successful in the 2006 & 2007 Betfair Chase, Imperial Commander, Nacarat and last year's winner Snoopy Loopy all set to meet at Haydock Park. A superb seven-race card also includes the £100,000 Listed Timeform Betfair Racing Club "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle and the £50,000 Tune Into Timeform Radio Hurdle. 

Entries for the Betfair Chase close next Tuesday, November 3.

The second day of the Northwest Racing Masters at Aintree on Sunday, November 22, features the £100,000 Listed totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase, which gives horses the chance to race over the Grand National Course.

Somerset trainer Bob Buckler sees the three and a quarter-mile contest as the ideal opportunity for The Sawyer to stake his claim for the John Smith's Grand National.  The nine-year-old landed a Grade Three handicap chase at Cheltenham in January before falling at the last when lying sixth on his debut over the formidable National fences in the John Smith's Topham Chase on April 3, 

He went on to post two solid efforts in the space of three days at the Punchestown Festival, including when taking second behind J'y Vole in a two and a half mile handicap chase.

Buckler revealed: “The Sawyer would need to be a bit higher in the handicap to be guaranteed a run in the John Smith's Grand National and the totesport.com Becher Chase could be on the agenda for him.

“He's a big, burly horse and I might just be a bit too easy on him at home - He actually looked half-fit having run twice at the Punchestown Festival!

“He was still going well when he fell in the last in the John Smith's Topham Chase and it was just one of those silly mistakes. He might have been getting a bit tired but he seemed to take to the fences there and I would like to see him go over them again.”

Aintree's six race card also includes the £70,000 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, run over two miles and five furlongs of the Grand National Course, as well as the £30,000 Best Odds Guaranteed At totesport.com Handicap Hurdle.

For further information on the Northwest Racing Masters, please contact:
 
Dickon White, Managing Director at Haydock Park, on 01942 725963 or 07798 928924 or e-mail:
dickon.white@jockeyclubracecourses.com
 
Emma Owen, Marketing & PR Manager at Aintree, on 0151 522 2906 or 07917 266511 or e-mail:
emma.owen@jockeyclubracecourses.com

DAY ONE
Saturday, November 21, 2009

12:25pm New Download At Betfair Casino Novices' Hurdle (Listed) 2m 110y £27,500   
12:55pm Betfair Mobile Handicap Chase (0-140) 2m   £25,000  
1:25pm Tune Into Timeform Radio Hurdle 2m 110y £50,000    
1:55pm Betfair Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race 2m 110y £7,500
2:25pm Timeform Betfair Racing Club “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 3m 1f £100,000 
3pm Betfair Chase (Grade One) 3m £200,000 
3:30pm Betfair Racing Multiples Handicap Chase (0-145) 3m £35,000
 

DAY TWO
Sunday, November 22, 2009

12:05pm Weatherbys Bank Maiden Hurdle 2m 110y £8,000   
12:35pm totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase GNC    2m 5f 110y £70,000
1:10pm Best Odds Guaranteed At totesport.com Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f   £30,000  
1:45pm totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase (Listed) GNC 3m 2f   £100,000 
2:20pm Aintree Equestrian Centre Handicap Chase (0-125) 3m 1f   £12,000
2:55pm Christmas Party At Aintree Novices' Handicap Hurdle (0-120) 2m 4f   £10,000 

PAST RESULTS OF MAIN RACES AT THE NORTHWEST RACING MASTERS

£200,000 BETFAIR CHASE - HAYDOCK

Year Horse Owner   Trainer Age/Weight Jockey SP RAN
2005  Kingscliff    Arnie Sendell     Robert Alner    8-11-08   Robert Walford  8/1  7
2006  Kauto Star    Clive Smith     Paul Nicholls   6-11-08   Ruby Walsh   11/10F 6
2007  Kauto Star    Clive Smith     Paul Nicholls    7-11-07  Sam Thomas    4/5F  7
2008 Snoopy Loopy Walters Plant Hire/Egan Waste Peter Bowen 10-11-07 Seamus Durack 33/1 6
 
HISTORY OF THE BETFAIR CHASE
 
In the space of just four years, the Betfair Chase has established itself as one of the highlights of the jumping calendar. The three-mile race, for the leading staying chasers, represents the first real test of the season for any horse with aspirations of joining the elite of jump racing.
Highlight of the first day of the Northwest Racing Masters, the Betfair Chase is run over three miles at Haydock Park and is worth £200,000, making it one of the most valuable contests of the season.
The inaugural Betfair Chase in 2005 attracted a superb field of seven, headed by Kicking King, whose four Grade One victories the previous season had included triumphs in both the King George VI Chase at Kempton and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Further Irish interest came courtesy of Beef Or Salmon, who had become a standing dish in his homeland's top chases, with six Grade One victories to his name, while the British challenge was headed by Ollie Magern and Kingscliff, who had fought out the finish to the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby the previous month.
Connections were also given the chance to gain the lucrative Betfair Million, which rewarded horses who went on to further glory in top chases later in the season. The bonus was the largest incentive in jump racing and one of the few to have been landed in recent years.
With the field well bunched turning for home, Kingscliff bravely repelled the efforts of the staying-on Beef Or Salmon and Kicking King to give the Robert Alner-trained chaser a deserved success at the highest level.
Royal Auclair, trained by Paul Nicholls and sporting the golf course-inspired silks of Clive Smith, came home fifth in 2005 and the same owner/trainer returned to Haydock Park 12 months later with the rising star Kauto Star.
The French import had already announced himself as a top-class chaser with victory over two miles in the previous season's Grade One Tingle Creek Chase and went into the Betfair Chase on the back of a facile success in the Grade Two Old Roan Chase at Aintree.
Relishing the step up to three miles in the Betfair Chase, Kauto Star posted an imperious display of jumping under Ruby Walsh to record an impressive 17-length victory over Beef Or Salmon, with French raider L'Ami another length back in third.
Kauto Star dropped back down to two miles to successfully defend his crown in the Tingle Creek Chase before surviving a last fence blunder to win the King George VI Chase at Kempton. He also blundered his way to victory in the Grade Two AON Chase at Newbury and went on to land the £1-million Betfair Bonus with success over Exotic Dancer in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. 
Despite suffering his first defeat in over 18 months when conceding a stone to Aintree specialist Monet's Garden in the Old Roan Chase on his seasonal debut, few people expected Kauto Star to be beaten in the 2007 Betfair Chase despite a field that included Exotic Dancer, Beef Or Salmon and My Way De Solzen, who had landed the World Hurdle and the Arkle Chase at the previous two Cheltenham Festivals.
With Sam Thomas stepping in for the injured Ruby Walsh, Kauto Star again failed to jump with his usual fluency but, showing the heart of a champion, found plenty under pressure in the Betfair Chase to beat Exotic Dancer by half a length with Beef Or Salmon in third and My Way De Solzen disappointing back in fifth.

Kauto Star posted a superb seven-length victory in the King George VI Chase but he was denied another bumper pay day at Cheltenham when second to stable companion Denman, who ground his rival into submission with a devastating front-running performance.
Despite the absence of Denman due to an irregular heartbeat, Haydock Park and Betfair were rewarded with another top-class field for last year's Betfair Chase, including the hat-trick seeking Kauto Star, the previous year's runner-up Exotic Dancer and Haydock specialist Cloudy Lane, who had been sixth in the previous season's Grand National.
Kauto Star had posted a facile success on his seasonal return at Down Royal and was expected to wrap up a third Betfair Chase with the minimum of fuss but he made a mistake three fences out and unshipped jockey Sam Thomas making his challenge at the final obstacle.
In a thrilling finish, Tamarinbleu found himself three lengths clear after Kauto Star's departure but the David Pipe-trained eight-year-old could not repel the gutsy challenge of Snoopy Loopy near the line, who gave jockey Seamus Durack and trainer Peter Bowen the biggest wins of their careers. Exotic Dancer finished third.            

£100,000 TIMEFORM BETFAIR RACING CLUB "FIXED BRUSH" HANDICAP HURDLE - HAYDOCK
Year Horse  Owner   Trainer  Age/Weight Jockey SP RAN
2005   St Matthew    Keith Nicholson   Sue Smith    7-11-04   Padge Whelan   25/1  14
2006   Halcon Genelardais Ian Payne/Kim Franklin Alan King    6-10-02   Robert Thornton 5/1JF  17
2007  Millenium Royal  J Vasicek    Francois Doumen FR  7-11-12  Christophe Pieux 20/1 18
2008 According to Pete P Nelson   Malcolm Jefferson  7-10-13  Graham Lee  11/2 F   15
 
NB: the contest was run over traditional hurdles in 2005 and 2006. It was run over Fixed Brush hurdles for the first time in 2007

HISTORY OF THE TIMEFORM BETFAIR RACING CLUB "FIXED BRUSH" HANDICAP HURDLE
Trainer Peter Bowen will be hoping for better luck in the 2009 renewal of the £100,000 Timeform Betfair Racing Club "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle.
The Pembrokeshire-based handler has not enjoyed the rub of the green in the past three runnings of the valuable three-mile contest. Irish Wolf was headed near the line by the Alan King-trained Halcon Genelardais in 2006, Special Envoy fell at the last flight when four lengths clear and looking a likely winner in the 2007 renewal which went to France's Millenium Royal and Souffleur came second to According To Pete last year.
According To Pete was the well-backed 11/2 favourite, who opened at 8/1 on course, and raced at the head of affairs under Graham Lee and put his proven stamina to good use as he galloped clear in the home straight to defeat Souffleur by nine lengths.
The inaugural running in 2005 went to the Sue Smith-trained outsider St Matthew who won under Padge Whelan at odds of 25/1.        
 
£100,000 totesport.com BECHER CHASE - AINTREE
over the Grand National Fences
Year Horse   Owner   Trainer Age/Weight Jockey SP RAN
1992   Kildimo     Lady Harris     Sue Smith   12-10-03   Lorcan Wyer    9/1  9
1993   Indian Tonic     Joanne Richards   Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-10-06   Chris Maude    4/1 11
1994   Into The Red     John Huckle     John White   10-10-04   Richard Guest 13/2 9
1995   Young Hustler   Gavin MacEchern   Nigel Twiston-Davies 8-12-00   Chris Maude    2/1F 10
1996   Into The Red     John Huckle     Mary Reveley   12-10-00   Tony Dobbin    9/2 8
1997   Samlee     White Lion Partnership Philip Hobbs   8-10-00   Rodney Farrant 6/1 11
1998   Earth Summit    The Summit Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies 10-12-00  Tom Jenks    6/1 8
1999   Feels Like Gold  Independent Twine Man. Co Ltd Nicky Richards 11-10-00  Tony Dobbin    9/1 12
2000   Young Kenny    Trevor Hemmings   Peter Beaumont 9-12-00   Russ Garrity    9/4F  11
2001   Amberleigh House Halewood International Ltd Ginger McCain 9-10-09   Warren Marston  33/1 15
2002   Ardent Scout    Alicia Skene & W S Skene Sue Smith   10-9-11   Dominic Elsworth 14/1 15
2003   Clan Royal     J P McManus     Jonjo O'Neill  8-10-12   Liam Cooper    11/2 15
2004   Silver Birch     Des Nichols     Paul Nicholls   7-10-01   Ruby Walsh    4/1F 14
2005   Garvivonnian    Angela Long     Ned Mitchell IRE 10-10-04   Garrett Cotter    33/1 19
2006   Eurotrek     Paul Green     Paul Nicholls   10-11-07   Liam Heard    25/1 21
2007   Mr Pointment    Stockton Heath Racing Paul Nicholls   8-11-05   Sam Thomas    15/2 19
2008 Black Apalachi  Gerard Burke   Dessie Hughes IRE 9-10-05  Denis O'Regan  15/2  13

HISTORY OF THE totesport.com BECHER CHASE
The inaugural running in 1992 of the totesport.com Becher Chase over the Grand National fences went to the Sue Smith-trained Kildimo and the Yorkshire trainer gained a second success a decade later when Ardent Scout prevailed under an excellent ride from Dominic Elsworth to get the better of 2004 John Smith's Grand National hero Amberleigh House by 24 lengths.
Amberleigh House himself won this prestigious handicap chase in 2001 when driven out by Warren Marston to prevail by two lengths from Smarty. The 2004 Grand National saw previous winners of the Becher Chase fill the first two places as Clan Royal was runner-up to Amberleigh House after being successful in this event by a short-head from that same rival in 2003.
Another Grand National winner to capture the totesport.com Becher Chase was Earth Summit. Seven months after he had won the world's most famous chase in 1998, Earth Summit returned to Aintree and defeated the previous year's Becher Chase winner Samlee by 16 lengths. In addition to saddling Earth Summit, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has also won the Becher Chase on two other occasions, courtesy of Indian Tonic in 1993 and Young Hustler two years later. Indian Tonic scored unchallenged by six lengths from Southern Minstrel, while Young Hustler was successful by the same margin from Sir Peter Lely.
Young Kenny was cheered home in 2000 as the market leader, beating subsequent winner Ardent Scout by half a length for popular Yorkshire-based trainer Peter Beaumont. The Ardross gelding fell on his only attempt at the John Smith's Grand National, but he did win the Scottish version in 1999.
Into The Red is the only dual winner of the totesport.com Becher Chase so far. He was victorious for trainer John White in 1994, when coming home unchallenged by 15 lengths from Feathered Gale and then, two years later, when under the care of Mary Reveley, he ran on well for Tony Dobbin to score by three and a half lengths and deny 1995 victor Young Hustler successive wins.
Tony Dobbin was on the scoresheet again three years later aboard the Nicky Richards-trained Feels Like Gold. The 11-year-old galloped clear of his opponents and eventually won eased down, with Him Of Praise taking the runner-up spot, 11 lengths adrift.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Silver Birch justified favouritism in the 2004 totesport.com Becher Chase under Ruby Walsh to master Just In Debt by a length in a thrilling renewal. He also captured the Welsh National in 2004 and, after being sold out of Nicholls' stable for just 20,000 guineas, made one of the greatest comebacks to win the 2007 John Smith's Grand National for Irish trainer Gordon Elliott.
Ned Mitchell's Garvivonnian became the first Irish-trained winner of the totesport.com Becher Chase when taking the contest in November, 2005, at the initial running at the Northwest Racing Masters weekend. He held on in a thrilling finish from the fast-finishing Nicholls-trained Le Duc by three quarters of a length, with Just In Debt a neck away in third.
Nicholls claimed his second win in the totesport.com Becher Chase in 2006 with Eurotrek, who defied top-weight to defeat Bewleys Berry and 19 others in decisive fashion under Liam Heard, though there was drama after the last when it momentarily looked as if the winning jockey was going to take the wrong course.
The champion trainer was back for more in 2007 when he equalled Nigel Twiston-Davies' record of three totesport.com Becher Chase victories by saddling Mr Pointment. The eight-year-old excelled over the Grand National obstacles, beating the previous year's runner-up Bewleys Berry by a length.
Last year saw a fine front-running performance from Black Apalachi, under Denis O'Regan, who galloped resolutely all the way to the line to secure success in the totesport.com Becher Chase. The 15/2 chance, trained by Dessie Hughes in Ireland, came home a distance clear of the Mr Pointment in the three and a quarter mile event, with his stablemate Oulart a further half-length back in third. Black Apalachi was the second Irish-trained success in the totesport.com Becher Chase, following Garvivonnian in 2005.
The totesport.com Becher Chase attracts plenty of runners, many of whom are having their first start over the Grand National fences and the race is seen as one of the best John Smith's Grand National trials, with two winners -  Amberleigh House and Silver Birch - going on to success in the world's greatest chase.
Three favourites have prevailed - Young Hustler (1995), Young Kenny (2000) and Silver Birch (2004) - but there have also been three shock results - Amberleigh House was a 33/1 chance in 2001, while Garvivonnian (33/1 - 2005) and Eurotrek (25/1 - 2006) also caused upsets.

totesuper7 GRAND SEFTON CHASE - AINTREE
Over the Grand National Fences
Year Horse   Owner   Trainer Age/Weight Jockey SP RAN
2003   Dark Room     J P McManus     Jonjo O'Neill   6-10-06   Liam Cooper    7/1 11
2004   Forest Gunner   John Gilsenan    Richard Ford   10-11-02   Peter Buchanan  7/1F 15
2005   Hakim      T N Siviter     John Spearing  11-10-12   Paddy Brennan  18/1  23
2006   I Hear Thunder   Nick Elliott     Bob Buckler   8-11-02   Daryl Jacob    12/1 20
2007   Lampion Du Bost   The Dodoz Partnership Jim Goldie   8-9-11    Phil Kinsella    66/1  22 
2008 Endless Power  Fyffees   Jim Goldie  8-10-00  James Reveley 11/1 13

HISTORY OF THE totesuper7 GRAND SEFTON CHASE
The totesuper7 Grand Sefton has attracted good fields since its revival six years ago after a 38-year break. The handicap chase is run over one circuit of the Grand National course, with 18 fences jumped during the two miles, five and a half furlongs. The old Grand Sefton took place over further - just under three miles - and ceased after the 1965 renewal, which was won by The Fossa.
The totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase was re-established in 2003. Well-known Irish owner J P McManus saw his famous green and gold colours carried to victory by the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Dark Room. Partnered by Liam Cooper, the six-year-old was one of eight in with a chance jumping the final fence and kept on best of all after the elbow to score by three lengths from Scotmail Boy.
The Richard Ford-trained Forest Gunner, under claimer Peter Buchanan, scored the following year. The winner had earlier taken the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase at the John Smith's Grand National meeting when ridden by the trainer's wife, Carrie. That pairing subsequently finished fifth in the 2005 John Smith's Grand National, equalling Rosemary Henderson's highest-placed finish by a woman in the race.
The 2005 renewal of the totesuper7 Grand Sefton was the first under the umbrella of the Northwest Racing Masters. The John Spearing-trained Hakim took the honours. Paddy Brennan soon had his mount out in front and Hakim jumped for fun. He stayed on gamely to defeat Fiori by two and a half lengths.
There were 20 runners in the 2006 contest which went the way of the Bob Buckler-trained I Hear Thunder, a 12/1 chance, who jumped well and stayed on strongly for then conditional jockey Daryl Jacob to come home seven lengths clear of Shannon's Pride. Hakim, attempting to land the race for a second year in a row, again tried to make all the running, but this time got no further than the eighth fence.
The race was even more popular in 2007 when 22 lined up before the starter. There was a shock result as 66/1-chance Lampion Du Bost, ridden by Phil Kinsella and trained by Jim Goldie in Scotland for the Dodoz Partnership, which included ex-Scotland striker Billy Dodds, won on merit, jumping exemplarily.

There were shades of the famous finish to the 1973 Grand National between Crisp and Red Rum as 11/1 chance Endless Power tired rapidly after the last in the 2008 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase 
However, the leader held on by two and a half lengths from Brooklyn Brownie under 3lb conditional James Reveley for Goldie, gaining a second Grand Sefton success. The winner jumped for fun over the famous fences, soon built up a commanding advantage and was still around 15 lengths in front over the last. 
 

Following on from this un-paralleled success we are delighted to announce that we are hosting the second British Discus Show in November 2009. The show will be held at the magnificent Haydock Park Racecourse, and will be bigger and better than last year's show.
BIDKA is a non-profit organisation established on the 13th November 2006.

The event will take place on the weekend of Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November, with benching taking place on Friday afternoon 27th November at

Haydock Park Racecourse
Newton-le-Willows
Merseyside
WA12 0HQ
Tel: +44 (0)1942 402624

Our aims are to promote the discus fish and to improve the quality of the fish available, both wild caught and domestically bred, and the understanding of what constitutes quality within the discus hobby. One of the mechanisms for this is to produce the 2009 British Discus Show.  This year we will have some 72 tanks of world class Discus in competition with entries from across Europe.  We already have confirmed visitors from the USA, Sweden, Germany and many other European countries.

Speakers and Judges
We have a world class line up of guest speakers and judges, which include:
Andrew Soh:  Andrew is a world renowned author and breeder of discus and many other fishes. Andrew is the author of the bestselling books "Discus the Naked Truth" and "Discus Problems and Solutions".  Andrew will be giving a talk on "Creating Designer Discus" and will also be acting as our senior judge again.
Jörg Stendker:  Jörg's hobby became full time in the 80s and the current company Discus Zucht Stendker Ltd was launched by the brothers in 1998. They have over 400 breeding pairs in more than 1,000 tanks.  At anytime they have around 80,000 young discus. Jörg will be giving a lecture entitled "Diskuszucht Stendker from beginning to now" and will also be judging.
Jeffrey Tan:  Jeffrey started breeding discus in 1987 and has had discus farms where he has exported fish from Ipoh, Malaysia worldwide.  Jeffrey was President of the Discus Society Malaysia from 2003 to 2007. Jeffrey is currently running an Arowana Farm, a Stingray Farm and a 20 hectare Pitaya [red pulp] Cactus fruit farm.  Jeffrey will be giving a lecture and will also be judging.
Dr Peter Burgess:  Dr Peter Burgess is an experienced aquarium hobbyist and fish health scientist. He has written over 300 articles and five books on fish health and is a visiting lecturer in Aquarium Sciences and Conservation at Plymouth University. Among his other roles, Peter is senior consultant to the Mars FishCare business and regularly runs fish health & husbandry courses for aquarists, fish scientists and vets.  Peter will be giving a lecture on "Parasites of discus and other fish".
Mike O'Sullivan:  Mike is an experienced aquarium hobbyist who has bred many difficult to breed species. He is currently working with discus, freshwater rays, cory cats and L no's.
Cuynet Birol:  Cuynet has been keeping and breeding discus in Turkey for over 25 years and has recently successfully completed Andrew Soh's judging exam.
Sid Adams:  Sid is an experienced aquarium hobbyist and discus judge who has been breeding discus and angel fish since the mid 90's.

Other Attractions
We will also have the best selection of discus and other tropical fish available for purchase and a huge selection of dried goods and fishkeeping equipment from some of the best suppliers in the UK!  The following will be at the show:
• Discus South
• Devotedly Discus
• Daydream Discus
• Underworld Products
• Practical Fishkeeping
• Interpet
• NT Labs
• Tetra UK
• BestLight Productions (Germany)
• Yorkshire Beefheart Producers
• ZM Systems
• Australian Black Worms
• Mars Fishcare Europe
• Premier Morphs (Reptiles)
• New Era Aquaculture
• Overnight Tropicals
• The BIDKA Team and members

We are hoping to have stands from other significant fish clubs including UKAPS, the British Cichlid Association and the Catfish Study Group.  There will be raffles tickets each day with many top prizes including fish keeping equipment and other dried goods.

Show Dinner
We will be holding our show dinner on the Saturday evening at the Thistle Hotel, this is open to everyone but numbers will be strictly limited so book soon! We will have an auction on the evening where there will a variety of fun items to bid on.

To get further details go to http://british-discus-show.com/ or http://forum.bidka.org/ or email to info@british-discus-show.com

North West racecourses pulled in 613,000 people in 2008, cementing its place behind football as the second-biggest sport in the UK.

According to a report by accountancy firm Deloitte, horse racing generated £3.4bn in 2008, up from £2.86bn in 2005.

Sports business group director Alan Switzer said attendance levels at Chester, Aintree and Haydock continued to hold up well despite economic conditions and hailed non-racing events, which form an "important part of the local economy".

Haydock holds 1,000 of these each year, bringing in a further 100,000 visitors.

The Moscow State Circus is truly world-renowned and regarded by many as the world's greatest circus, drawing an 80 year tradition which uses all the resources of the state of cultivated Circus as a pre-eminent popular art form. Their skills are incomparable and presented with a robust elegance and panache that is unmistakably Russian.

This unmissable spectacular event will be staged at Haydock Park Racecourse from Wednesday 30th September till Sunday 4th October 2009.

To purchase Tickets either call 07721 565558 or visit ticketmaster or their website on www.themoscowstatecircus.eu.  (Prices start from £7 for under 16 up to £27 for ring side adult seats.)

Leading horse racing television channel Racing UK (RUK) today announced it will become a stand-alone channel again following the demise of Setanta. 

RUK aims to continue broadcasting on Sky channel 432 but will move to a new EPG number if necessary. The price point will revert to its 2004 launch price of £20 a month but this will include the £9.99 monthly subscription to Racing UK's on-line services. Subscribers will also continue to benefit from £600 worth of free race day tickets per year and members' club packs.

Racing UK Chairman Will Wyatt said: “We enjoyed a good relationship with Setanta since  August 2006, and the current situation at Setanta is very unfortunate. Racing UK flourished as a stand-alone channel before Setanta, and now we have a stronger financial base and an even better relationship with our customers. Racing UK is sound, safe and assured of its future.”

Racing UK will be in contact shortly with its 55,000 residential subscribers on how to re-subscribe directly. The channel will be free to air (for all existing subscribers) while this happens.

All current broadband subscriptions and the 2,350 pubs which subscribe to Racing UK will be unaffected. The channel is in discussions with Virgin Media to continue supplying cable customers.

Monthly subscribers should not lose out through the closure/administration of Setanta and annual subscribers will get the channel free until their next annual renewal date.   

Commercial director Nick Mills explained: “It is a significant investment for Racing UK but we want to stand by our most loyal subscribers and didn't want them to have to pay again to watch the channel.”

So what's next for Racing UK, following Setanta's demise?
Here, we answer some of the most relevant questions:

Q: Will there be any interruption to RUK broadcasts during the changeover period
A: Hopefully not. A range of contingency plans have been drawn up, so that the channel will carry on as normal. RUK hopes to continue broadcasting on Sky channel 432, but has access to an alternative if necessary.  

Q: What should RUK residential subscribers do now?
A: RUK subscribers are currently contracted to Setanta.  Going forward they will have to re-subscribe direct with Racing UK.  We don't want to switch anyone off during this change over period so will ensure our existing subscribers see the channel.  

Q: What will happen to those annual subscriptions still left to run? 
A: They will get the channel free until their next annual renewal date.  We don't want our most loyal customers to have to pay twice, even though we will have to make good the cash lost in the Setanta administration.  

Q: What will be the new subscription price?
A: £20 per month.  The price point will revert to its 2004 launch price but this will include the £9.99 monthly subscription to Racing UK's on-line services. RUK members will also continue to benefit from £650 worth of free race day tickets per year.

Q:  What happens to current broadband subscriptions?
A: Nothing. Subscriptions continue as normal, as online coverage is independent of Setanta.

Q: What happens to the 2,350 pubs signed up to RUK?
A: It's business as usual as pubs are direct customers with RUK, so there is no change.

Q: What's the deal for cable customers?
A: We're working with Virgin Media to ensure coverage can continue

The perfect occasion to:

• Impress your business clients
• Provide a morale-building day for your employees
• Or simply enjoy a top-class raceday with your family and friends

The package includes:

• Exclusive Park Suite entrance 
• Reserved Parking Pass
• Racecard
• Drinks Reception
• Three-course meal
• Tipster and MC for the Day
• Raffle Prizes and Auction
• Full Waitress service

Prices are £800 for a table of 10 or £85 per person plus VAT. To reserve your place contact Emma Knight on 01744 455060 or email her at emma.knight@saintsrlfc.com.

Book now to avoid disappointment!

Corbettsports.com - New sponsor for 2009 PJA Apprentice Series.

Last Sunday television viewers saw Sir Alan Sugar choose his new apprentice as the series reached its climax – but another apprentice series has received a major boost with a new sponsor announced today.

Corbettsports.com, the family owned operator has signed up to sponsor the Haydock Park 2009 PJA Apprentice Series running from Thursday 11th June to September 25th, 2009. The Corbett family which runs the independent betting and gaming firm based near Chester will be supporting the series for up and coming jockeys at Haydock Park throughout the summer.

Michael Corbett from Corbettsports.com said 'As our online betting and gaming services continue to grow alongside the network of shops, we are actively seeking new routes to support the future of horse racing. The PJA Apprentice Series is well supported at Haydock Park and we are delighted to become a key partner with the racecourse and its premier events.'

Dickon White, managing director of Haydock Park Racecourse, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Corbettsports.com as the new sponsor of the PJA Apprentice Series.  It is hugely important for the sport of horse racing to invest in the full professional jockeys of the future, and our summer series of races designed specifically for apprentice riders helps in that process."

Corbett Bookmakers is a family owned company founded in 1947 by William T Corbett. The sports betting company with headquarters close to Chester has grown to over 60 independent betting shops in England and Wales with a growing online sports betting service at www.corbettsports.com. The sports, poker and casino firm has a longstanding record of supporting grassroots sport with highlights seeing the firm as the Official Betting Partner of the UniBond League, FC United of Manchester, and supporter of racing at Chester, Ludlow and Bangor on Dee racecourses including sponsorship of The 2009 PJA Apprentice Series at Haydock Park.

For Corbett Sports Betting visit www.corbettsports.com

Haydock Park, June 18th 2009
 
LOUGHBOROUGH, UK (January 16th 2009) Fisher Scientific, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., today announced that plans are well underway for the Science World, Fisher Scientific Laboratory Experience.

Now in its 11th year, Science World 2009 promises to be better than ever. Featuring world-leading industry names, Science World provides visitors with the opportunity to see products firsthand, including demonstrations, seminars and workshops. Furthermore, it's all FREE.
 
Taking place at the Haydock Park conference centre, it is ideally situated just off junction 23 of the M6 Motorway right in the heart of the North West and has guaranteed free parking.

One of the key benefits for attendees are exclusive offers, vouchers and free lectures from leading peers within the scientific community.  With budgets becoming ever tighter – can you afford to miss this event?

For more information and details of how to register, please go to www.fisherscienceworld.co.uk. (Fisher Scientific is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science).

About Thermo Fisher Scientific:
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With annual revenues of $10.5 billion, we have more than 30,000 employees and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com <http://www.thermofisher.com/>

Best of the Best in City Region's Visitor Economy Line Up for Top Honours and Celebrations

AFTER record entries for The Mersey Partnership's Annual Tourism Awards 2009, Liverpool City Region's official Tourist Board announced Haydock Park Racecourse in the shortlist for the final round of judging in the category of Tourism Marketing Project of the Year.

This award is one of a total of 17 Awards which will be presented during a celebration dinner at the BT Convention Centre, Liverpool on Thursday, 18th June, 2009.

The Tourism Marketing Project of the Year Award is one of 3 new categories introduced to reflect growth and diversity in the City Region's visitor economy.

The annual event, organised by TMP and supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA),  Merseytravel, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Liverpool ONE, ACC Liverpool and BBC Radio Merseyside,  celebrates the very best businesses in the City Region's visitor economy, now worth £1.3billon a year and supporting 23,000 jobs. 

BBC television presenter Ranvir Singh will host the night's celebrations in front of 500 guests and 11 of the TMP Annual Tourism Awards Category winners will automatically go through to the England's Northwest Tourism Awards organised by the NWDA later this year and the chance to represent the region in national finals.

For further information visit The Mersey Partnership website on www.merseyside.org.uk.

The sprinter, purchased for a bargain price, is proving to be one of Hungary's greatest talents in horse racing.  The owner of Overdose, Zoltan Mikoczy, has high hopes for the racehorse he stumbled across by accident.  Just for fun Mikoczy made a bid for Overdose during a sale in Newmarket and to his surprise the bid of £2,100 was accepted. Overdose is now worth millions after winning all 12 of his races in stunning fashion. He is credited with revitalising not only Hungary's ancient equestrian tradition, but the spirit of a country wearied by its political and economic woes.

Crowds of more than 20,000 were on hand to witness Overdose's seasonal reappearance at Budapest recently, where he made it 12 wins from 12 starts when winning a minor event by 8 lengths.

Wide-margin victories have been a common occurrence throughout Overdose's career.  His 18 length rout of his rivals on his debut at Budapest in June 2007 was a sign of things to come as he went on to win his next 4 starts by 6, 13, 16 and 8 lengths respectively.

By beating the best sprinters that Central and Eastern europe had to offer last summer, he earned the rigth to have a crack at the very top level in the Prix De L'Abbaye at Longchamp.  Unfortunately, while he left France with his 'wonder horse' status still very much intact, there will be no record of it in the form-book as he finished first past the post in what proved to be a void running of the Group 1.

For all Overdose's exertions counted for nothing, as a time trial it was a most impressive performance, his jockey Andreas Suborics on of several unaware of the falsh start and riding Overdose accordingly, the pair showing those rivals who did give chase a clean pair of heels to cross the line 3 and a half lengths clear of his nearest pursuer "Strike Up The Band" who ran another excellent race in the re-running a few hours later.

Overdose wasn't asked to contest the re-run, but his effort had raised his international profile considerably and he gained some compensation on his final start of 2008 in the Group 3 Premio Carlo e Francesco Aloisi at Rome, winning comfortably despite conceding weight all-round on the soft ground.

Connections have mapped out an exciting campaign for bargain-buy Overdose and from here at Haydock Park on 23rd May he is set to take in some of Europe's top sprints, including the King's Stand and Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot.

Haydock Park Racecourse, in association with their event partner, Business Doctors, will be hosting a full day business networking event for businesses from across the northwest.

Taking place Saturday 21st March 2009, over 100 guests from around the region will be treated to a first class day of racing and hospitality, including welcome refreshments, a hospitality suite overlooking the racecourse, VIP race day entry badge and racecard, a two course lunch and an exciting afternoon of top class racing. Plus, of course, the opportunity to network with some of the region's most dynamic business people.

Jonathon Chu, Business Development Executive at Haydock Park Racecourse, said: "This is the first event of the 'Haydock Park Business Club', which we hope will launch the Club onto the northwest networking scene."

In addition to a fantastic day of racing and networking, we are also offering a few select companies the opportunity to take an exclusive company marketing package.  The package, which includes a named race, full page advert in the racecard for your company, prime on-site banner locations, an exhibition stand within the suite or outside promotional vehicle siting and a link onto the Haydock Park website, provides a great value way for a company to reach a national audience.

Ticket prices for the event are £70 pp (inc. VAT) and are on a first-come, first-served basis.  To book your place, or for more information on the packages available, contact Jonathon Chu on 01942 407 294 or email Jonathon.Chu@jockeyclubracecourses.com or print off the attached form and return to Haydock Park Racecourse, Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, WA12 0HQ.

Further upcoming racedays at Haydock Park Racecourse include the Blue Square Gold Cup Raceday on Saturday 14th February 2009.  For further information on tickets or special hospitality options that are available, please call 01942 402624.

Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th March 2009 - 10am - 5pm

The event will consist of a wide variety of training and awareness sessions.  Attending the event will be DEWALT Power Tools, Fischer Fixings, Reactec, Yamaha and Renault Trucks.  Also attending are Construction Skills, Construction News, Careers in Construction, OPERC, HSE, UKCG and other industry companies.  Event includes:

Free entry
Free gift when you pre register and attend
Win a construction kit worth £4000

To Pre register for this event go to our website at www.DEWALT.co.uk/safety