Warrington's nearest racecourse hosts £100,000 finale to The Jockey Club grassroots jumps series (From Warrington Guardian)

Haydock Park Racecourse hosts £100,000 finale to The Jockey Club grassroots jumps series

10:10am Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport

HAYDOCK Park is teaming up with online betting provider BetVictor.com to host a spectacular climax to the racecourse’s 2012/13 jump racing season on Easter Saturday.

As excitement grows to the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree in April, the North West racecourse hosts a £100,000 finale to The Jockey Club’s Grassroots Jumps Series.

Races held at tracks run by Jockey Club Racecourses since the start of December - injecting valuable prize-money into the grassroots of jump racing - are leading all the way to Haydock Park on Saturday 30 March on a day when the racecourse puts on an array of free children’s entertainment for Easter.

Garry Fortune, the new general manager of the racecourse, said: “We are thrilled that BetVictor is sponsoring all seven races on Easter Saturday, including both finals of The Jockey Club Grassroots Jumps Series over hurdles and steeple chase fences.

“Haydock Park traditionally holds a fixture on Easter Saturday and, with spring having well and truly started, it’s a day when families come out to enjoy a great day of sporting entertainment.”

The Jockey Club Grassroots Jumps Series consists of 32 qualifying races, divided evenly between hurdles and steeple chases. To qualify for entry into either of The Jockey Club Grassroots Jumps Series finals – a 2m 6f handicap chase and a 2m 4f handicap hurdle – horses must run at least once in a corresponding qualifying race.

As well as the two £50,000 finals in The Jockey Club Grassroots Chase Series, Haydock Park’s races on Easter Saturday include the £50,000 BetVictor.com Levy Board Chase and the historic BetVictor.com Tim Molony Chase, held in tribute to the late champion jump jockey of the 1940s and 1950s.

On Easter Saturday there is a multitude of family entertainments, including free activities for children during the racecourse’s Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory racing day.

As always at regular race meetings at Haydock Park, accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge. Adult admission starts at £11.70 in advance or £13 on the day.

For the children there is Golden Ticket Cube, Wonka’s Wonderland, Charlie Bucket’s craft workshop, Verucca’s pony rides, Willy Wonka balloons, funfair rides and face painting.

Children also eat free from their own Wonka-themed buffet when accompanied by adults in the Colours Restaurant.

The racecourse opens at 12 noon and the first race is scheduled for 2.05pm. The finale is at 5.35pm.

On-the-day admission: Premier £45 (£40.50 in advance); County Stand £30 (£27); Tattersalls £20 (£18); Newton Enclosure £13 (£11.70). Accompanied children under 18 are admitted free of charge. More information is available at www.haydock-park.co.uk where tickets can be bought online. Telephone bookings can be made on 0844 579 3006.