TOP-CLASS action is in prospect when Thirsk racecourse stages its opening meeting of the 2016 season on Saturday, April 16.

In the first of 17 meetings at the North Yorkshire track this year, a high-quality batch of middle-distance performers are expected to line up for the feature race on the card, the Eileen House 80th Birthday Handicap, over a mile and a half, for four-year-olds and upwards, which carries prize money of £22,000.

The main supporting race is the seven-furlong Michael Foster Conditions Stakes, commemorating the long-serving director and former chairman of Thirsk.

A Class 3 event carrying prize money of £15,000, the race usually attracts quality entries from several of the top Northern and Southern stables and was won last year by the Richard Fahey-trained Heaven’s Guest, who went on to win a valuable handicap at Ascot as well as finishing fourth in the listed Sky Bet City of York Stakes at York.

Racegoers will also be able to follow all the action on the big screen opposite the stands and Paddock.

As well as some thrilling racing on the track, there will be plenty of entertainment off it with music from Gary Grace, “The New King Of Swing”, while there will be plenty to keep the younger racegoers occupied with bouncy castles and a playground in the Family Enclosure.

Entry to the Premier Enclosure costs £25 (£24 if booked online), while Paddock admission can be obtained for £16 (£15 online). There are also reductions for group bookings. For more information go to www.thirskracecourse.net

Gates open at 11am ahead of the first race at 1.50pm.