Bumper crowds expected for Fontwell's Boxing Day meeting

With the dust settling on the Christmas Day celebrations, the presents given and turkey eaten, Fontwell will be extending the merry mood with an action-packed day of horseracing and family entertainment.

With ticket sales surging, in the last few days especially, Fontwell’s executive director Phil Bell believes they may be on the way to breaking a record attendance.

He said: “We are hoping for the biggest crowd for five years, that’s what we’re aiming for.

“Ticket sales have been going very strong. I think a lot of people were waiting for the weather as last year we had to call the meeting off.

“But as we are 99 per cent certain it’s going to be fine to race, as a result tickets have been flying the past couple of days.

“The biggest crowd since Northern Racing took over in 2002 was 8,000 and we are hoping to beat that.

“As last year the fixture was called off we have nothing to base it on, so our biggest challenge has been preparing for the number of people that come, be it 5,000 or 10,000; but we have made sure that everyone that does come will be happy.”

Gates open at 10.30am with the first of the six races getting underway at 1pm.

And as well as the racing there will be plenty of entertainment for the whole family – with dodgems, small fun fair rides and circus stalls and workshops for the kids.

So for those looking for a little extra Christmas fun and to get out the house after a little over indulgence the day before, get down to Fontwell Park where hopefully you’ll pick your own cracker.

For tickets, starting from £21, visit www.fontwellpark.co.uk or call 01243 543335. Tickets will also be available on the gate on Boxing Day.