JUMP racing fans are in for some of the best sporting action at Haydock Park in coming months.

It doesn't get any better than the opening full meeting of the 2007/8 season, the first day of the North West Masters on Saturday, November 24.

The major event is the third running of the £200,000 Grade 1 Betfair Chase, won last year by Kauto Star, the horse that landed the Betfair Million' by going on to victory in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The day also witnesses the richest-ever race over Haydock Park's special French-style or brush' hurdles, the £100,000 Betfair Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle.

The North West Masters is just the start of a splendid season that lasts until March, before the mixed Betfred Swinton hurdle meeting in May.

Before the old year is rung out on New Year's Eve, Haydock Park stages two valuable Christmas-time cards.

The first December meeting is three days before Christmas Day, featuring the Wigan Handicap Hurdle and the Sodexho Prestige Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase, each race being worth £25,000 in prize money.

And the final fixture of 2007 is on Sunday, December 30, when the highlights are two chases - again both worth £25,000 - the Last Fling Chase sponsored by Pontins and the Edward Hanmer Memorial Graduation Chase.

The first fixture of 2008 on Saturday, January 19 in 2008 traditionally stages major Cheltenham Festival trials', including the Peter Marsh Chase, which is used by many horses with aspirations to take part in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The highlight on Saturday, February 16 is the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup, a three-and-half mile steeplechase that is a showpiece race in its own right but also a major pointer to the destination of the Grand National at Aintree in April.

There's also racing on Easter Saturday, March 22, a day when lots of families go to Haydock Park for a holiday afternoon out, while the final action over hurdles is reserved for Saturday, May 10 when the major attraction is the Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle.

More information on racing at Haydock is available on the website at www.haydock-park.co.uk 2007/8 jump racing fixtures:

  • Saturday, November 24
  • Saturday, December 22
  • Sunday, December 30
  • Saturday, January 19
  • Saturday, February 16
  • Easter Saturday, March 22
  • Saturday, May 10 (mixed meeting)