Sedgefield racecourse is offering racegoers the chance to enjoy all the action from the Cheltenham Festival, plus a free pint of beer.

The County Durham course hosts the first of three March fixtures on Tuesday, the same day as the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Tote big screen will be showing all the races from Cheltenham and there will be a short gap in racing to make sure racegoers don't miss a moment of the Champion Hurdle.

Entry anywhere on the course costs £5 and adults will be given a voucher entitling them to two pints of bitter or lager for the price of one.

It will also be a special occasion for the course because, following the abandonment of the last meeting in February due to frost, the revival of the first race ever run at Sedgefield has been put back to this meeting.

The Sedgefield Silver Plate of 2003 is a three-mile, three-furlong steeplechase sponsored by Saltwell Signs of Newcastle upon Tyne. The first Silver Plate was held in 1730.

Owners, trainers and jockeys will be delighted that their horses have to run only one race in 2003. In 1730, it was the best of three.

Gates open at noon on Tuesday and the first race is off at 2.15.