AS Haydock Park geared up for a busy August, the racecourse's managing director Richard Thomas expressed delight at the large numbers of young people coming racing.

This month sees the racecourse's first-ever Saturday evening meeting, an open-air concert by pop legends Simply Red, as well as the traditional three-day early August fixture.

Attendances at the track have been high during the summer, including a record Sunday crowd.

Richard Thomas said: "Crowd figures have been excellent - and that's especially pleasing after our investment in the new Centenary Grandstand.

"We've been particularly delighted by how popular our Ladies Evenings have proved. And it's been great to see the growing number of youngsters coming racing at Haydock".

Next up for the racecourse is the three-day fixture from Thursday to Saturday 5 to 7 August.

Top racing attractions on the Saturday are the Coral Handicap and Petros Rose of Lancaster Stakes. They are among four races that are the central feature of Channel 4 Racing's Saturday afternoon programme.

The fixture also includes the third ladies Evening of the flat racing season, when four races will be shown live on the Racing Channel.

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