CARTMEL Racecourse has been given top marks by a course inspector ahead of the Cumbrian track's opening meeting of the season on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25.

For the third year in a row, the standard of the racing surface has been rated first class after an inspection by an independent soil and drainage expert, so it is now all systems go for the season opener.

In a new-look racing programme, the May Bank Holiday fixture has been reduced from three days to two, the traditional Saturday evening meeting having been dispensed with and, in its place, a new two-day fixture at the end of June, including the first Sunday fixture at the course on June 28.

"We are excited about the new fixture list for the course and I am particularly pleased that we set off on the right foot with the racing surface getting top marks. I have to say, the course does look really good" said Cartmel MD Jonathan Garratt.

This year, Cartmel is offering a record £407,000 in prize money with more than £90,000 of that over the two-day May meeting, so it should make for some competitive racing.

Monday's card opens with the Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding 25th Anniversary Novice Hurdle, supported by Howard and Jean Johns of Cartmel Village Shop. Howard and Jean are keen supporters of racing at Cartmel and, as usual, will provide one of their world famous sticky toffee puddings for every winning owner, trainer and jockey throughout the season.

Feature race is the £15,000 Burlington Stone Grand Veterans Chase, which is always a cracking contest featuring some of the more senior citizens in training, while Totepool will be backing two races on the day, the £12,000 Bet Toteexacta Handicao Chase and the £10,000 Bet Totetrifecta Handicap Chase.

Also on the card is the Swan Hotel & Spa Handicap Hurdle, a race which highlights that the Newby Bridge hotel is again supporting the annual Cartmel Jockeys Challenge won in 2014 by Brian Hughes.