Racing News
HAYDOCK PARK PREPARES FOR SHOWPIECE OCCASION OF THE FLAT RACING SEASON
THE countdown to the richest horse race of the year at Haydock Park - and the climax to the racecourse’s Flat racing season - has begun in earnest.
Some of the fastest racehorses in Britain and Ireland will be making their way to the North West for the 45th year of the £275,000 Betfred Sprint Cup on Saturday 4 September.
The total prize fund on the day is not far short of £½ million.
Dickon White, the managing director of Haydock Park, said: “The Betfred Sprint Cup meeting is a hugely popular occasion with racing fans, attracts a big crowd, and is the highlight of our Flat racing season.”
A maximum of 17 horses will take part in the six-furlong race from the 20 that remain as possibles.
The Group One Betfred Sprint Cup is a race that top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has yet to win. On Saturday, he may saddle the favourite – the Australian-bred colt Starspangledbanner. A decision about whether the horse runs or not will be made later this week.
The sponsors Betfred make Starspangledbanner – a winner at Royal Ascot this year and the hero of the Darley July Cup at Newmarket - their 2-1 ante-post favourite (CORRECT AS OF MONDAY 30 AUGUST).
Opposing him are last year’s winner Regal Parade, last year’s third-placed horse High Standing, Equiano who was fifth last year, and the 2009 Nunthorpe Stakes winner Borderlescott.
The entire racecard at Haydock on Saturday 4 September is very classy, including the Betfred Kingspin Old Borough Cup, the Betfred ‘Goals Galore’ Superior Mile and the Betfred ‘The Bonus King’ Be Friendly Handicap, which commemorates the horse that won the first two runnings of the Sprint Cup in 1966 and 1967.
Be Friendly – owned by the former BBC ‘Voice of Racing’ Sir Peter O’Sullevan - remains the only horse to have won the race twice, and a life-size bronze of him now stands resplendent in the paddock at Haydock Park.
The first race on Saturday is at 2pm. Gates open at 12 noon.
*Admission into the Newton Enclosure is £11; it’s £20 into Tattersalls; £34 into the County Enclosure; and £45 into the Premier Enclosure. Accompanied children aged under 18 enter free. Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price. More details are available at web site www.haydock-park.co.uk.
GRAND SHOW AT HAYDOCK PARK ON SATURDAY
Tue 16th Feb 10 - 10:31
THE latest winners of the Grand National, Welsh National and Scottish National could line up to race at Haydock Park on Saturday.
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
Tuesday 14th September
Raceday
2:30PM
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