Racing - Jumps season set to start (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Racing - Jumps season set to start

9:50am Tuesday 30th September 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

CARLISLE'S jumps season begins shortly (October 10)), launching an action-packed National Hunt calendar which promises to attract some of horse racing’s big guns.

An all-steeplechase card kicks the season off on the Friday, October 10 and the Blackwell track will be hoping they can once again attract rising stars such as Monet’s Garden, Tidal Bay and Exotic Dancer.

The three horses are all featured in the ‘Fifteen Best of British’ horses as judged by At The Races.

All claimed victory at Carlisle last year and went on to have a fantastic season at some of the country’s top racing fixtures - Tidal Bay won at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals.

Thursday, October 23 will also be a steeplechase meeting, while the drainage work is completed to the course.

Managing Director of Carlisle Racecourse, John Baker, comments “The National Hunt Season at Carlisle always attracts top flight horses and trainers. With even more investment in the track facilities and drainage this year, we hope to continue that trend.

“It’s one of the busiest times of the year for us, with our most valuable race of the year – the £40,000 Cumberland Chase - taking place on the 2nd November. Last year the Cumberland Chase attracted Naunton Brook; who went on to finish fourth in the Welsh Grand National.”

“We’re very proud to be able to attract horses of such high calibre to Cumbria and it guarantees our crowds enjoy the very best that horse racing has to offer.”

Tickets for National Hunt Racing on the 10th October are priced from £13 for adults and children under 16 are admitted free.

Visit www.carlisle-races.co.uk.