The Darlington-based company was founded 35 years ago by former jockey and trainer Ian Vickers and is now managed by his daughter Jo Vickers.

Jo oversaw the launch of www.vickers.bet in 2020 and the online business has gone from strength to strength, with more than 18,000 registered customers.

Vickers said: “The shop in Darlington has been quiet because of the pandemic and even now it has not quite recovered, which is why we decided to go online.

“In fairness, starting the website was a lot easier than I anticipated. We budgeted for all sorts of outcomes because we weren’t sure how it would go but we have had brilliant support from our customers. Now that we have made the transition, it has shocked me how much business is out there.

“We pride ourselves on customer service and I would like to think that we are the best at it. We are small and try to treat every customer as if they were in the shop. You can’t please absolutely everyone, but we give it a good go!”

Alongside regular racecourse sponsorships, Vickers has a portfolio comprising four jockeys, headed by former Flat champion Paul Hanagan, British Speedway rider Luke Crang and European Tour golfer Andrew Wilson.

Jo added: “We like to give back as much as we can because, at the end of the day, we are making a living from betting on these sports – plus it is nice get the branding out there!

“We have been fortunate to work with some lovely people through our sponsorships and it is something we are keen to continue going forward.”

Racegoers can win premier entry for two for Thirsk’s opening fixture as well as a £250 funded account courtesy of Vickers. Full details of the competition can be found here https://bit.ly/36KVQZi

Headlining the racing action is the Join Our Bet Club At Vickers.Bet EBF Michael Foster Conditions Stakes (2.40pm), won last year by subsequent G3 scorer Toro Strike.

The 10 entries for the seven-furlong contest include Rhythm Master, who is set to have his first start for James Horton.

Horton spent six and a half years as assistant trainer to Sir Michael Stoute and now oversees a training enterprise in Middleham for owner John Dance and his wife Jess.

Rhythm Master finished third in the G1 Prix Morny as a juvenile and was highly tried last year as a three-year-old by Richard Fahey, with a fourth in the G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot among the pick of his efforts.

Horton said: “Rhythm Master came to us at the end of January and, provided the ground stays soft, it will be exciting to get him on the track.

“He did a piece of work on Saturday morning and I was very pleased with him. He looks fantastic and seems in a very good spot.

“He was aimed quite high as a two-year-old and three-year-old and we think this race looks a good starting point as we are still learning about him.

“It is fantastic to have a horse like him in our first season. With his rating, he will be able to compete at the big Saturday meetings and that is a huge asset.”

The opposition could include Safe Voyage, who won a brace of G2 contests in 2020 for John Quinn, and Kevin Ryan’s Ayr Gold Cup hero Bielsa.

Mutasaabeq finished seventh in last season’s G1 2,000 Guineas and has won three of his four starts over this distance for Charlie Hills.

G3 winner Brad The Brief is in line to have his first start for Hugo Palmer. Course scorer Symbolize and Rhoscolyn, trained by Andrew Balding and David O’Meara respectively, are other entries to note.

Following the final race at 5.00pm, racegoers are encouraged to stay and watch the Grand National at 5.15pm on the big screens and across all of the site.