HERE'S a news release about action coming up at Haydock Park..which which I'm posting ahead of my preview of the National Hunt jumps season.

THE countdown has begun in earnest to the Northwest Racing Masters - when
Haydock Park and Aintree Racecourses come together for a weekend of the highest
class jump racing action.

Sales of tickets have been brisk for the third year of the event.

The major horse racing attraction of the two-day occasion is the Grade 1
£200,000 Betfair Chase on Saturday, 24 November, at Haydock Park.

All eyes will be on the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kauto Star, whose victories in
the race at Haydock Park 12 months ago, at Kempton Park Racecourse on Boxing Day
and in Gloucestershire in March, landed a £1 million bonus prize from the online
betting exchange sponsors.

The horse is on a repeat mission between now and next March, and his appearance
is set to draw a large crowd to Haydock Park.

With so much prize-money on offer, the Betfair Chase is likely to bring horses
from Ireland and France to the North West of England.

The major hope of victory for 'The North' will be Aces Four, from the Yorkshire
stables of trainer Ferdy Murphy, while Ollie Magern - the winner of the first
major three-mile steeplechase of the autumn at Wetherby - will also be running.

At the inaugural Northwest Racing Masters two years ago, the opening day
attracted the biggest jump racing crowd seen at Haydock Park since the 1980s.
More than 12,000 people watched as British-trained Kingscliff defeated the
reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and Irish-trained Kicking King. Last year
almost as many people were present to see Kauto Star's victory.

The racecourse's managing director Dickon White said: "The first Northwest
Racing Masters was a fantastic success, with more than 20,000 visitors at the
two racecourses over the weekend.

"Year two was just as excellent an occasion, contributing not only to the
sporting attractions of the North West but also to the region's tourism. With
advance ticket sales on a par with last year, we're looking forward with great
anticipation to Saturday 24th."

Half an hour before the Betfair Chase, there will be a £100,000 race over
Haydock Park's innovative 'brush' hurdles. The obstacles are designed to
educate younger horses going on to steeplechasing careers, but the big prize
fund on the day is also likely to attract Grand National-bound horses that are
making their seasonal debuts in preparation for Aintree next April.

The Northwest Racing Masters is sponsored by a number of public and private
organisations, including the Mersey Partnership and St Helens Borough Council,
with support from Sefton Council, Merseytravel, the Liverpool Culture Company
and the European Regional Development Fund.

The horse racing continues at Aintree Racecourse on Sunday 25 November when the
major event is the totesport.com Becher Chase, run over the Grand National
fences.

RACECOURSE ADMISSION DETAILS - SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER

First race time is at 12.30pm. Admission to the Newton Enclosure is £9; to
Tattersalls £19; to the County Enclosure £33; and to the Premier Enclosure £43.
Accompanied children under 16 enter free. Senior citizens and students, with
appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half
price.

Tickets are available in advance and on the day. Advance ticket line is 01942
402624. Accommodation booking is on 0845 601 1125
(www.visitliverpool.com/northwestmasters)

More details about racing at Haydock Park are available on web site www.haydock-
park.co.uk.

Two-day tickets, for Haydock Park and Aintree Racecourses, are also available.

ORDER OF RUNNING

12.30 Betfair Poker Newton Novices' Hurdle (2 miles)
1.05 Reg Griffin 50 years at Timeform Hurdle (2m)
1.35 Betfair "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle (2m 7½f)
2.05 Betfair Steeple Chase (3m)
2.35 Betting As It Should Be Handicap Steeple Chase (3m)
3.05 Betfair Casino Zero Lounge Handicap Steeple Chase (2m)
3.40 Forumites Of The Year Vote Soon Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (2m)