SEDGEFIELD RACECOURSE stage their most popular meeting of the year on Boxing Day, with more than 4,000 racegoers set to descend on the County Durham track.

The seven-race card gets under way at 12.10pm, with the concluding race scheduled to start at 3.30pm.

The Wills Property Services Novices’ Hurdle is likely to see Nicky Richards’ Chidswell start as a well-supported favourite following his third-placed finish in a Class Two novice hurdle on Fighting Fifth day at Newcastle.

The locally-trained Jukebox Melody, from the yard of John Wade, should be a warm order in the Windpower Energy Resources Handicap Hurdle, while Donald McCain’s unraced The Bantown Lane heads the ante-post list for the Jane Willis Equine Portraiture Standard Open NH Flat Race.

Sedgefield Racecourse has recruited more than 30 new staff just to ensure their Boxing Day card goes off smoothly, and general manager Jill Williamson said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming our customers this Boxing Day especially with our new recruits on board.

“Our catering and operations general manager has worked tirelessly over the last few months recruiting the current team of catering staff who aim to provide a high standard of service alongside their customer-friendly approach.

“The majority of the new recruits live within a 20-mile radius and I am delighted that they have dedicated their holiday time to spend it working with us.”