For the sixth year running the Cheltenham Gold Cup will be on the same day as Fakenham's long- established Spring National Hunt race meeting this Friday.

For the sixth year running the Cheltenham Gold Cup will be on the same day as Fakenham's long- established Spring National Hunt race meeting this Friday.

Fakenham's chief executive and clerk of the course David Hunter said: “We have raced alongside Cheltenham for the last five years and the attendance has increased year on year. I am confident this year will be even better.

“The Tote continues to be the principal race sponsor at the meeting with the totepool Fakenham Silver Cup, a �13,500 valued Class 3 handicap hurdle race, which will be run immediately after the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“With the Tote, we are presenting the magnificent Fakenham Silver Cup, which was originally given by The King in 1934. It might not be gold but it is certainly bigger than its Cheltenham counterpart!”

The excitement and atmosphere of a day's racing at Fakenham is always electric, but at this year's meeting Hunter feels sure it will be super-charged and he is expecting a large crowd.

“Gold Cup day at Cheltenham is sold out, “ he said. “So I encourage racing enthusiasts to watch the Cheltenham action from Fakenham as opposed to a foggy pub or bar.

“We shall be showing all of the Cheltenham races live on a massive 100 sqare metre giant TV screen that will be situated in the centre of the course as well as on all of our own televisions.”

All the on course bookmakers will be taking away bets for Cheltenham and all the Cheltenham races will be interleaved in full into the Fakenham race card.

The first race from Cheltenham is at 1.30pm with the first of Fakenham's six National Hunt races at 2.20pm, the Silver Cup is at 3.35 pm and the last race is at 5.30pm.

Entry prices are; Adult Day member �18, Grandstand & Paddock �13 and Course Enclosure �8. All youngsters 17 years and under get in free.

Car parking is free except the members' car park, �8.