WITH more than £50,000 in prize money on offer, Catterick's meeting on Saturday, January 22 will be the most valuable National Hunt meeting ever staged at the North Yorkshire course.

The main feature race will be the Skybet.com North Yorkshire Grand National, which will be run over 3m 6f and will go off at 2.50.

With a prize fund of £20,000, it is hoped that the race, which will be broadcast live on Channel 4 and on Racing UK, will attract a number of contenders for the John Smith's Grand National in April.

Catterick racecourse general manager Jonjo Sanderson said: "We're thrilled to be staging this meeting, and very much hope to attract some of the North's, if not the country's, best National Hunt horses and jockeys.

"Advance bookings are very encouraging, so we are hoping to welcome a bumper crowd to this record-breaking day of racing."

A total of seven races will be run, with the first starting at 12.50. Ticket prices start from £3, available at the gate or booked in advance by downloading and completing a booking form from the web site, www.catterickbridge.co.uk, or by calling the racecourse office on 01748 811478.

Special packages for groups, including entry into the Club Enclosure, a complimentary racecard and a bar meal including a glass of wine, plus tea or coffee, are available for £21.50.

Racegoers who book tickets in advance will be entered automatically into a prize draw, the winner of which will be given one year's membership of The Elite Racing Club. Benefits include discounted entry into UK racecourses and race day hospitality.