Excitement builds for big raceday

Everyone is looking forward to the event, especially as we haven’t had a race this year so we’re all very excited to see some horses.

We have lost two meetings already due to waterlogging as we had two particularly bad areas, but the ground is looking good now. We’ve got covers on as we are expecting a bit of frost this week, but we are confident it will go ahead.

It’s going to be a family-orientated day and there really is so much going on, from racing to demonstrations as well as an appearance from Olympic silver medallist Tina Cook.

The Totepool National Spirit Hurdle is the main race and we have increased the prize pool by £20,000 to a massive total of £50,000 this year. Because of this, we have 13 entries including some quality campaigners, three from champion trainer Paul Nicholls and two from Alan King’s yard.

We also have the Josh Gifford Memorial Cup which will be held for the first time in memory of the local champion jockey and Grand National-winning trainer, who had strong links with the course before his death last year.

The particular cup being used for the event was previously won by Josh’s wife here back in the 1970s. It was for amateur racers and known as The Mad Hatters and we have had it re-engraved.

The Gifford family will be attending on Sunday to present the winning connections of the memorial race, including Josh’s daughter, London 2012 medalist Tina, who will be talking people through her medal routine.

It’s going to be a really good family day out and we have had a fairly good uptake already. I think we’ll get a fairly good walk-up on the day as well, when people see the good weather on Sunday.

We will also be offering free admission to annual members of all ARC tracks. We’d advise everyone to book in advance, which offers a saving, while children under-17 also go free.

To buy tickets, visit www.fontwellpark.co.uk or call 01243 543335.