Northwest Racing Masters 2008

Racing Towards another Winning Day Out this November.

The Northwest Racing Masters weekend is back on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November and again promises to offer a fantastic opportunity to indulge in the thrill of racing with a visit to the region’s best racecourses. The weekend will see some of racing’s biggest star runners take to the race track at both Haydock Park and Aintree in what are known as the regions biggest and most prestigious race meetings outside of the Grand National festival.

On the second day of the Northwest Racing Masters weekend, Aintree Racecourse will mark the start of the festive period with a winter warming raceday which promises a feast of festive delights, as Father Christmas pays a visit to the famous course with his real reindeer.  These special guests will be just part of the Christmas entertainment on offer for all the family as Aintree offers a taste of the festive season with racing over the Grand National course, the only time in the year it is raced over outside of the Grand National meeting.
 
With Christmas just weeks away, children will have the chance to feed and pet Father Christmas’ reindeer before heading into Aintree’s grotto in the Old Weighing Room to the visit the famous man himself.   An ice rink complete with free boot hire will give families a chance to try a traditional winter activity or if racegoers are after something a little more sedate, browsing Christmas concessions whilst listening to carols played by a full brass band is guaranteed to add that magic sparkle to get racegoers in the Christmas spirit.  With two races over the Grand National fences on this day, it promises to be a traditional family day out, with admission for children free.
 
Known as totesport Becher Chase Day, the day features six races, which include the totesport Becher Chase and the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, both of which are now established Grand National trials. The raceday is part of the Northwest Racing Masters weekend, which opens with Betfair Chase day at Haydock Park on Saturday 22nd November, another of the Northwest’s premier racecourses. Sunday’s raceday at Aintree closes the weekend with top flight racing along with family entertainment - a winter warming treat at the home of the Grand National.
 
The weekend has quickly established itself as a popular event with the racing fraternity and the public. Day one of the racing weekend sees Haydock Parks hosts the £225,000 Grade One Betfair Chase, which was won in great style by Kauto Star for the second year running in 2007.
 
Emma Owen, Marketing and PR Manager, Aintree Racecourse, commented, ‘With Christmas just around the corner, and following on from the success of our Family raceday in October, we’ve giving racegoers the chance to take part in some festive activities for all the family at this meeting to get them in the mood for Christmas. We’re particularly excited about having real reindeer at the course – and with this being our final raceday before the Grand National next April; it promises to be a magical end to the year at Aintree.’
 
Tickets for Aintree’s taste of the festive season raceday are on sale now, at a special advance price of £16 if purchased on or before Friday 9th November (£19 thereafter and on the day), accompanied children aged 16 and under go free.  Admission to Haydock Park’s Betfair Chase day starts from just £20.  Weekend tickets are available to purchase from £32.  To book, call 0844 5793001 or buy online at www.aintree.co.uk <http://www.aintree.co.uk/>  or www.haydock-park.co.uk <http://www.haydock-park.co.uk/> .  Hospitality is also available by calling 01942 402624 (Haydock) or 0151 522 2911 (Aintree).