Northwest Racing Masters
Northwest Racing Masters (incorporating The Betfair Chase)
The weekend of Saturday and Sunday, November 20 and 21, 2010, marks the sixth Northwest Racing Masters which sees thrilling top-class horseracing at two of Britain's favourite racecourses, Haydock Park and Aintree.
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, 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.
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.
A joint ticket to the Tattersalls Enclosures of both courses costs just £25 and is only available for advance bookings, a saving of £14 against the on-the-day admission charges.
County Enclosure admission at Haydock combined with Aintree's one enclosure on the Sunday is £35 in advance, saving £18 against the on-the-day admission charges.
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 would be great if 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 is allowed to 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
Accommodation contacts:
Park Inn St.Helens
Linkway West, St.Helens, WA10 1NG
01744 453444
www.sthelens.parkinn.co.uk
Thistle Haydock
Penny Lane, Haydock, St.Helens, WA11 9SG
0871 3769044
www.thistle.com
Holiday Inn Haydock
Lodge Lane, Haydock, St.Helens, WA12 0JG
0871 9429039
www.ichotelsgroup.com
Ramada Encore Haydock
Piele Road, Haydock, St.Helens, WA11 0SG
01942 290040
www.encorehaydock.co.uk
Premier Travel Inn - St.Helens North
Garswood Old Road, East Lancashire Road, St.Helens, WA11 7LX
0870 9906374
www.premierinn.com
Premier Travel Inn - St.Helens South
Micklehead Green, Eurolink, Lea Green, St.Helens, WA9 4TT
0870 1977237
www.premierinn.com
Premier Travel Inn - Liverpool Rainhill
804 Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6PE
0870 9906446
www.premierinn.com
Travelodge Haydock
Piele Road, Haydock, St.Helens, WA11 0JZ
0870 1911645
www.travelodge.co.uk
Today
'Summer Loving' Evening Racing
6:10PM
© 2010 Haydock Park Race Course. Horse Racing and Conference Centre