WIDOWED Hilary Scotto, who is single-handedly holding out against Northern Racing's plans to take over control of Sedgefield Racecourse, will take her case to the Court of Appeal, on Monday.

Mrs Scotto, whose husband Frank was course chairman for 17 years, is already facing a six-figure bill for legal costs, but has vowed to continue her fight.

Mrs Scotto, who owns 21.3 per cent of Sedgefield Steeplechase Company (1927) Ltd, has relied on a pre-emption clause in the company's articles in a bid to halt Northern Racing's plans.

But leading judge Lord Hoffmann dismissed her claim in January.

Her challenge to that ruling is due to be heard in the Appeal Court by Lord Justice Nourse, Lord Justice Chadwick and Lady Justice Hale.

In January, Lord Hoffmann rejected Mrs Scott's arguments that other shareholders, who had signed sale agreements with Northern Racing, were obliged first to offer the shares to Sedgefield's directors, who could then offer them on to Mrs Scott.

The judge's ruling was a grave blow to Mrs Scotto's hopes of thwarting Northern Racing, owned by entrepreneur and racehorse owner Stanley Clarke, which already runs courses at Newcastle, Uttoxeter and Brighton.

Nearly 80 per cent of the shareholders in the course had already signed sale agreements with Northern Racing.

If Mrs Scott's legal actions in the end fail and Northern Racing can swing 75 per cent of shareholders behind it, the company will be able to force through an amendment to Sedgefield's articles