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With Spring here and Summer just around the corner, the flat season roars back in to action at Pontefract with a quality race meeting on Tuesday 11th April. With 74,000 worth of prize money on offer, the card often throws up some impressive early season types.

The Racecourse has been busy over the Winter and will take the wraps off their new Parade Ring for the first time. The Paddock has been regraded and has brand new terracing for enhanced viewing for racegoers. The modern, state of the art Parade Ring has cost just under £½ million and is an exciting upgrade for the West Yorkshire track. The Dalby Stand and Premier Enclosure entrance has also had a facelift and racegoers will be welcomed by a bright, modern reception area.

The highlight of the racing programme is the £25,000 Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap over 1m 2f. A classy field assembled for the 2016 renewal with strong representatives from the Newmarket yards. The prize stayed in the North though as Master of Finance won the race for the second year running!

The £15,000 1m4f EBF Maiden on this day has a rich roll of honour. Luca Cumani’s ‘High–Rise’ won this race on his way to victory in the Epsom Derby and lends his name to this race. Du Moto won the 2016 contest for Sir Michael Stoute. While he didn’t head to Epsom, he remained unbeaten for the rest of the season. Will 2017 unleash a potential superstar?

Of all the races run over the years at Pontefract, the Stayers races evoke the strongest memories among the race going public. With course favourites like Dan Buoy, Jamaican Flight and Bluff Cove all laden with stamina, the Stayers Championship has proved a popular addition to the racing programme in recent seasons. Round 1 of the 2017 championship gets underway with The Jamaican Flight Handicap over 2m2f. The 2016 series champion, Riptide is due to return to his beloved Pontefract in order to defend his title – one he’s already won on two occasions!

Tuesday 11th April marks the start of the new ‘Wall of Fame’ promotion at the course. Racegoers who visited in 2016 may already have spotted their face on the website dedicated to the promotion (www.pontefract-races.co.uk/walloffame ) but the new life size artwork will be unveiled in the Paddock Bar at the opening race meeting of the year. Anyone spotting themselves will be able to claim a prize from the Office on any raceday during the season. With 462 faces on show, there are plenty of great prizes to be won!

Those with a Harrogate postcode can pick up a free ticket for this meeting if they register for the Racecourse Postcode Lottery scheme before the day – all postcodes throughout Yorkshire will be able to get tickets to specific meetings throughout the year. Full details are available on the website at www.pontefract-races.co.uk .

Contact:           Richard Hammill (Assistant Manager/Clerk of the Course) 01977 781307