Yorkshire Jockeys Horse Racing

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AFTER a fantastic Festival Friday, get set for a super Summer Saturday at Thirsk this weekend when the Totepool Thirsk Summer Cup will be the highlight of a two-day meeting at the North Yorkshire track.

With £30,000 in prize money and run over a distance just short of a mile, the Summer Cup has proved a highly competitive race since its introduction into Thirsk’s racing calendar in 2012.

In its short history, it has proved to be a benefit for Northern trainers and a graveyard for favourites, although the second of those sequences was cracked last year when Ginger Jack, starting at 9-2 joint favourite, was one of the last winners for Stockton trainer Garry Moss.

Before Ginger Jack brought some relief to backers, Osteopathic Remedy, who won the 2014 renewal for Darlington trainer Michael Dods, had been the only winner under 10-1 with even Richard Fahey’s 2012 winner Lord Aeryn going off at 20-1!

On a terrific Saturday card, the main support to the Summer Cup comes from another class three contest, the Peter Bell Memorial Handicap, commemorating one of the most important figures In Thirsk’s recent history.

Friday’s card features two class three events, the Tomrods Steel Stockholders Nursery Handicap and the Breeders Backing Racing EBF Conditions Stakes before attention turns the Saturday card and the latest renewal of the Summer Cup, a race which has quickly established itself with owners, trainers and the racing public alike.

Racegoers will also be able to follow all the action on the big screen opposite the stands and Paddock, with action from the big meeting at Glorious Goodwood interspersed with the racing at Thirsk.

As well as some thrilling racing on the track, there will be plenty of entertainment off it lots of exciting activities to keep the younger racegoers occupied in the Family Enclosure.

Entry to the Premier Enclosure costs £28 on Saturday (£25 if booked online ahead of the day), while Paddock admission can be obtained for £16 (£15 online). There are also great reductions for group bookings. For more information go to www.thirskracecourse.net

Gates open at 11am ahead of the first race at 2.15pm, while on Friday the gates open at 11.30am with the first race at 1.40pm.