Redcar's Easter treat

The meeting starts at 2pm with the Market Cross Jewellers Fillies’ Handicap Stakes over five furlongs.

It is the first of seven scheduled races on the card.

Redcar’s brewing partner, InBev of Castle Eden, supports the feature race of the afternoon, the Boddingtons Redcar Straight-Mile Championship Stakes, a handicap contest.

It is the first of eight qualifying races in a special series at Redcar, which culminates in a £30,000 final on Saturday, October 3. Last year’s Series’ winner was Charlie Tipple, trained near Malton by Tim Easterby.

The Syd Burgess Octogenarian Handicap Stakes (seven furlongs) forms part of the 80th birthday celebrations of a keen follower of racing, who lives in Marske, while The Commitments Performing here on 29th August Selling Stakes, also over seven furlongs, draws attention to the band, The Commitments, who are set to play live on stage after racing on that Saturday evening in August.

A jazz band provides the musical entertainment during racing on Easter Monday, while the big screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable race-goers to follow all of the action on the track.

There are bouncy castles for children in the Course Enclosure. Weather permitting, there’s also a barbecue.

Redcar’s new general manager, Amy Fair is looking forward to the opening fixture, and said: “Easter Monday always gets the racing season off to a great start.

“As well as our regular visitors, it’s a splendid opportunity for people who haven’t been racing before to try out the sport for the first time.”

The course’s revamped website (www.redcarracing.co.uk) is now offering race-goers the convenience of booking tickets on-line for every race meeting during the season.

New racing packages which have been introduced this year to complement the popular ‘Punter’s Package’ are the ‘Garden Party Package’ and the ‘BBQ Package’.

General admission on Easter Monday (parking is free) are: Grandstand £15 (£12 on regular days); Course Enclosure £5 (£4 on regular days). Accompanied children 16 always admitted free of charge.

Seniors £9 Grandstand (£8 regular days) and £3.50 Course Enclosure (£2.50 regular days). Annual badges are currently on sale: £145 single; £225 double.