MUSSELBURGH Racecourse is prepared for a busy summer spell with the first of four August meetings tomorrow (Friday).

The East Lothian course hopes to repeat the success of the Luca’s Ice Cream Family Day last month when crowds flocked to the popular venue, pushing up attendance on last year’s meeting by 13 per cent to almost 3,200.

Friday Night at the Races is a firm favourite with the after-work crowd who want to let off steam after a hard week and ease into weekend downtime.

Doors open at 4pm, which gives plenty of time ahead of the first race of the evening.

With seven competitive flat races and prize money of more than £50,000, the action gets underway at 5.30pm with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Novice Stakes over seven furlongs.

Feature race of the evening is the £13,000 Geoghegans sprint handicap over five furlongs at 7.10pm.

After the last race at 8.40pm, racecourse favourites FunkWagen get the party started with summer tunes on the Loretto Lawn.

Susan Findlay, Musselburgh Racecourse marketing manager, said: “Friday night at the races is a big draw for the after-work crowd.

“It has a brilliant party atmosphere and sets the tone for a chilled weekend for the many racegoers who want a Friday night out with a difference.

“We hope the sun shines as it did last year and we have added more bars and upped staffing levels to accommodate a big crowd, and introduced additional pop-up food and drink options.”

Racegoers purchasing Early Bird tickets have until midnight today (August 1) to take advantage of a £5 discount on the normal £22 admission, while children aged 17 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Musselburgh provides free courtesy buses from Wallyford and Newcraighall railway stations and return trips post racing.

Other meetings in August include The Archerfield Cup Raceday next Friday (August 9) and an evening meeting on August 27 followed by an afternoon race day on August 28.

The Archerfield Cup Raceday will feature seven quality races alongside additional entertainment such as face painting and children’s rides.

The action continues beyond the end of the month though.

The Honest Toun Family Day on Sunday, September 29, offers an afternoon of fun for families with interactive displays from the Armed Forces, free children fairground rides, face painting and performances from the massed pipe band.

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