RACING WEEKEND AT RASEN

Market Rasen Racecourse is the venue this weekend (Saturday and Sunday 25/26) for the sport of jump racing ending its summer season and launching its winter campaign.
This is the fourth festival, the first three having attracted some jump racing hotshots to the Lincolnshire track.
The racecourse management is hoping for more of the same this year and, with £175,000 in prize-money on offer over the weekend, the races are set to attract big names once again.
The opening day has attracted the cameras of Channel 4 Racing. Sunday is a family day, with free face painting, balloon modelling, Punch and Judy and a magician.
Pip Kirkby, the racecourse's managing director, said: "We're really looking forward to what is already one of our annual highlights - a combination of a tremendous quality of racing on Saturday in front of the TV cameras and a more relaxing day on Sunday when I'm sure we'll see lots of families on course."
The big races on Saturday are the £50,000 Read Paul Nicholls Exclusively on Betfair Handicap Chase and the £40,000 40% Better Off on Betfair SP Handicap Hurdle.
The feature steeplechase has been won for the last three seasons by horses trained in west Wales by Peter Bowen. On each occasion, the current champion jockey Tony McCoy has been on board the runner-up. In a year during which he won his first ever Grand National at Aintree, the top National Hunt jockey of all time will be endeavouring to get another monkey off his back.
Saturday will also include the announcement of the winner of the racecourse's Tom Halliday Scholarship, chosen from nominations by the public.
The scholarship is in memory of young rider Tom Halliday who died after a fall at the racecourse in the summer of 2005.
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the racecourse set up the scholarship through which a conditional jockey - one who is serving his or her apprenticeship - receives expert sessions on schooling, nutrition, and media training, plus coaching from staff at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster.
*On Saturday, the Sakura club in Lincoln will be hosting the official post-racing party where jockeys, trainers and punters alike will be soaking up the atmosphere. Sakura is offering half price admission for anyone who has purchased a ticket to the races on Saturday afternoon. Visitors need to take their racecourse admission badge to the club at 9pm for exclusive access until 10pm, after which the club is open to the general public until 4am.

General admission

A special advance sale 'Punters Package' is on offer for Saturday for £17, which includes Tattersalls admission (on-the-day price £15), a pie & pea lunch and a discounted Tote bet.
Another special offer - for Sunday - is a family ticket for the family enclosure for £9, based on two adults and two children. Advance sales only either online at www.marketrasenraces.co.uk or by calling 08445 793009, quoting MRFFD10.
First race times are 2.15pm and 2pm respectively on Saturday and Sunday. Premier Members £27 Saturday & £25 Sunday; County Enclosure £20 & £18; Tattersalls £15 & £13; Family Enclosure £9 & £8; Picnic Car Park £5 per car + Family Enclosure admission per adult. Accompanied children 18 always admitted free of charge. More information at www.marketrasenraces.co.uk.