Racing with a difference comes to Fakenham Racecourse on Sunday when it hosts the inaugural Greyhound Lure Coursing Race Day being run by The Kimberely and Wymond-ham Greyhound Club.

Racing with a difference comes to Fakenham Racecourse on Sunday when it hosts the inaugural Greyhound Lure Coursing Race Day being run by The Kimberely and Wymond-ham Greyhound Club.

“We did run a similar event about 10 years ago but we have not had an opportunity to run something since. However, I was approached a few months ago by the Kimberely & Wymondham Greyhound Club who are keen to put on these types of events so that coursing greyhounds can have opportunities to competitively run,” explained Fakenham's chief executive David Hunter.

“Since the Hunting Bill was introduced over four years ago the traditional sport of coursing has not happened. It means there are many coursing greyhounds that are unable to run, we hope that Sunday's meeting will rectify this situation.”

There will be six races, or stakes, with each stake being contested by eight dogs. The dogs run two at a time after an artificial hare, the lure, over a distance of one furlong in a series of knock-out heats.

There are five stakes for greyhounds and one stake for whippets with each race being worth �300 to the winning dog owner for the greyhound stakes and �200 for the whippet stake.

Peter Debenham, secretary of The KWGC, is thrilled with how the day is shaping up. “All of the races have a full number of runners and we have dogs entered from as far away as Birmingham and Manchester.

“We are delighted to be working with Fakenham Racecourse to produce a fun day of good sporting action. All the dogs will race over a specially prepared grass course, which has been watered and mown short to provide the optimum racing surface.

“The day will have a really professional feel to it with a full PA system, commentary, race cards, a bookmaker, bar, food outlets and trade stands. It has really captured the imagination of the greyhound racing fraternity.

“We shall also be holding a rafflewith the proceeds going to the Air Ambulance.”

The first greyhound race starts at 11am with racing due to finish at about 4pm. There will be a break over lunchtime. Gates are open from 10 am. Follow yellow AA road signs from the outskirts of Fakenham.

Adult price is �5, children 16 years and under are free as long as adults accompany them. Entry price includes a race card.

The races are only for pre-entered dogs, there will be no entries on the day. Well behaved dogs are very welcome but they must be on a leash at all times.

For further information contact David Hunter on 01328 862388, 07767 802206 or Peter Debenham on 01603 488735.