Musselburgh Racecourse feature jumps meeting of the season takes place this weekend.

The meeting has caught the attention of leading trainers from across the UK and Ireland, and is seen by many as a trials day for next month's Cheltenham Festival, or the Grand National festival in April.

The eight races all mirror Cheltenham contests, and with total prize money of £163,000, the two feature races are the £30,000 ToteTrifecta Scottish Triumph Hurdle and the £25,000 Totepool Scottish Country Hurdle, both over two miles.

Those races get under way at 2pm and 3pm, respectively.

A number of leading trainers are expected to be in Musselburgh this weekend, including champion trainer Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, David Pipe, Dan Skelton and past Grand National winner Gordon Elliott.

Jim Goldie and Lucinda Russell are among those from closer to home, and Bill Farnsworth, the racecourse general manager, is looking forward to the event.

He said: "It is shaping up to be an excellent day of top class jumps racing and it is the only fixture in the UK where every race is in effect a prep race for the Cheltenham Festival proper.

"The day provides a great platform for Scottish racing fans who can get a close look at potential contenders for the two great national hunt festivals.”

As an incentive to attract a new generation of racing fans, Musselburgh are offering free entry to students on Sunday.

Tickets must be obtained online and cannot be purchased on the day, but student identification will be required.

Gates open at 11am with the first race of eight off at 1pm.

For more information, visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk