HORSE racing fans in the North-west have been given a big boost in the 2005 fixtures.

As a result of negotiations with BBC TV, several of Haydock Park Racecourse's principal National Hunt races are being given more prominent slots in the calendar.

*The major Cheltenham Festival trial races - the Peter Marsh Chase, the Champion Hurdle Trial, and the Premier Long Distance Hurdle - revert to their traditional Saturday date in the second half of January.

*The Red Square Vodka Gold Cup - a big Grand National trial and the racecourse's richest jumps race - moves forward a week in February and no longer clashes with the Racing Post Chase at Kempton.

*The Swinton Hurdle - the first major event of the National Hunt season in Britain - is moved back a week and is no longer on the same day as the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

As well as that, Haydock's Sunday fixture in November (in 2005), which currently coincides with Cheltenham's three-day Open meeting, moves to a Saturday and away from Cheltenham.

Adam Waterworth, Haydock Park's managing director, said: "We've been able to take advantage of television talks to improve the profile and prominence of our major races over hurdles and fences. There will be a greater national focus on those races now, which not only benefits Haydock Park but also racing in the North in general."

With Easter so early next year - the traditional 'Easter Saturday' fixture is National Hunt rather than Flat racing.

The racecourse's Flat racing calendar in 2005 remains largely unaltered from previous years.

*The next racing at Haydock Park is the three-day meeting between Thursday 5

and Saturday 7 August. More details about racing at Haydock on www.haydock-park.co.uk

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