MUSSELBURGH Racecourse is rolling out a £225,000 Easter Saturday card and, with advance ticket sales doing well, a bumper holiday crowd is expected at the East Lothian track.

Four of the seven races will be screened live on ITV, with headliner the £100,000 Queen’s Cup garnering a healthy spread of entries from the leading Newmarket and northern trainers.

Easter Saturday Raceday this Saturday has an added attraction of the £50,000 Scottish Sprint Cup, which has been moved from its traditional June date partly in response to trainers who indicated they would welcome a big sprint handicap at the start of the flat season.

The lure of the £30,000 Royal Mile Handicap, a £20,000 feature and two £10,000 races promises an afternoon of top-quality racing.

General manager Bill Farnsworth said: “Ticket sales are doing really well and we would hope for a 5,000-plus crowd who will be rewarded with a cracking racecard and a family friendly holiday atmosphere.

“Last Easter, we fell victim to the Beast from the East but the weather forecast seems upbeat and the track and its environs are in fantastic condition, so the stage is set for a successful and enjoyable Easter Saturday.”

An array of street food stalls and different drink experiences, including the Edinburgh Gin Tipple Trailer, are on offer and, for those staying on after racing, live music is provided by Funkwagen. A dedicated Kid’s Zone features the return of the Easter Bunny, free game stalls, free fairground rides for all ages and free face painting.

On-the-day admission is £30 but an early bird ticket booked online offers a £5 discount and is available until midnight tomorrow (Friday). Children aged 17 and under go free when accompanied by an adult.

In partnership with Lothian Motor Coaches, a courtesy shuttle service operates from and to Wallyford and Newcraighall train stations.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk