Fakenham Racecourse opens gates on Saturday after being granted last-minute additional fixture

Fakenham Racecourse - which lost its Easter Monday race meeting due to a waterlogged track – has been granted a last-minute additional fixture by the British Horseracing Authority for this coming Saturday.

David Hunter, chief executive and clerk of the course, said: 'I am delighted we have been able to work with the BHA to put this race meeting on Saturday at such short notice.

'The appalling weather over the Easter weekend has been ruthless to racing across the country and losing our Easter Monday fixture was a real blow.

'However, Saturday will really help British racing and will also give our hugely dedicated and loyal racegoers an opportunity to enjoy a day of racing over the Easter period.

'As the fixture is being put on at such short notice, we are offering a hugely discounted adult entry price of £10 per adult and we shall run the entire site as one enclosure.'

BHA Racing Operations Manager Stuart Middleton added: 'We are grateful to Fakenham for stepping in to stage this additional fixture after the recent spate of abandonments, and our thanks as always go to the Horserace Betting Levy Board for their support.

'The programme of races has been compiled following an assessment of the races lost recently due to the wet weather and should provide a breadth of opportunities for the horse population as well as some competitive racing for participants and the public.'

Gates will open from 11am as usual and first of seven races will be at 2.15pm.