Musselburgh Racecourse reflects on its 'best-ever' jumps season.

More than £725,000 prize money was on offer over the 11 fixtures which culminated last week with Brian Hughes picking up the champion jockey title – which included an 899-1 five timer in November - and Donald McCain finishing up as Musselburgh’s top trainer. 

Highlights for the East Lothian track included a sell-out New Year’s Day record attendance of 6400, while the refigured Scottish Cheltenham Trials was extended to include a Saturday meeting and featured a new four mile race, the £40,000 Edinburgh National. 

With more than £260,000 in prize money over the two days, many of the UK’s leading stables were represented and Paul Nicholls bagged five winners, with Charlie Longsden and Nicky Henderson sharing the spoils. 

Musselburgh Racecourse chief executive, Bill Farnsworth, said: “The new format for the Scottish Cheltenham Trials was a great success and we want to build on that next season and to strengthen the Edinburgh National. The quality of entries was of the highest level and Musselburgh is now firmly on the map as far as National Hunt racing is concerned for the leading owners and trainers. 

“We had our largest ever New Year’s Day attendance but as always we learn lessons and next year we will look to make improvements to provide more comfort, cover and space for racegoers.” 

Musselburgh is new preparing for the start of its 2017 Flat season on Easter Saturday (15 April) and an Early Bird offer until 31 March provides entry at £20, with raceday admission set at £30.