RACEGOERS are gearing up for a new season of flat racing as Thirsk Racecourse hosts its first meeting of the season.

Based on Station Road the course celebrates its 154th-year with a planned 14 race meetings which start with the Spring Meeting.

The Spring Meeting is on Friday, April 17, with a second day of racing on Saturday, April 18, when the Michael Foster Memorial Race and the Thomas Lord Stakes are challenged for.

The racing on both days starts at 2pm with the gates open to punters from noon.

The course hosts flat racing with the 2009 season set to attract the crowds to enjoy the fine racing on offer.

Gaynor Garrity, the course’s sponsorship and marketing manager, said: "We are hopeful that this will be a good year of racing and you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy it.

"The racing at Thirsk is open to all ages and under-16s who come with an accompanying adult get in for free."

Thirsk Racecourse has hosted horseracing almost continuously for the last 154 years with the only breaks in the years around both world wars.

Racing at Thirsk this year stretches through to Saturday, September 5, including a Ladies Day on June 16, with tickets starting at £5.

Details can be found at www.thirskracecourse.net.