The Go North Finals Weekend

Musselburgh Racecourse raises the curtain of a three day National Hunt festival on Friday (24 March) with the action then moving to partner racecourses Kelso on Saturday, and Carlisle on Sunday.

More than £140,000 prize money is on offer at Musselburgh – including four £30,000 races – in the opening fixture of the Racing Post Go North weekend.

Now in its third year and with total prize money at the three course of £285,000, the Go North series is keenly contested between northern trainers and owners, with entries consisting of mid-tier horses which have qualified from earlier meetings.

Selkirk trainer Stuart Coltherd is hoping to saddle Silver Vision in Friday’s £30,000 Racing TV Supports The Go North Grey Bomber Handicap Hurdle Series Final (1.50pm). He said: “The Final has been the plan since she won a qualifier back in November. It’s a decent series and the prize money is good.”

The other features, also worth £30,000, are the Go North Brindisi Breeze Series Handicap Hurdle Final over three miles, the Go North Sea Pigeon Series Handicap Hurdle Final over two miles, and the Go North Lady Buttons Mares’ Series Handicap Hurdle Final over 2m 4f.

County Durham trainer Rebecca Menzies is hoping to be well represented on the card with her runners set to include four-timer seeking Russian Virtue in the Sea Pigeon Final (3pm).

Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth, said: “Go North is now well established as an extremely competitive weekend of jumps racing with excellent prize money and it is a highlight which many trainers look forward to.

“We are looking forward to a fantastic Friday afternoon of racing and for jumps fans it’s the ideal way to see in action some familiar faces and horses, as we wind down the National Hunt season and prepare for our Flat campaign which starts on Easter Saturday.”

Gates open on Friday at 11.30am and first race is off at 1.20pm. For more information and to book tickets please visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk