Early start at Redcar to help fans cheer on Boro against Arsenal

Due to so many runners being declared, Monday’s meeting is now an eight-race card, with the Totepool Happy Easter Maiden Stakes, splitting into two divisions.

The first race has, therefore, being brought forward by half an hour so the action gets underway at 2.05pm, with the last race starting at 6pm. Gates open 12 noon.

Boro face Arsenal at the Riverside at 8pm and Redcar’s general manager Amy Fair said today: “We are very conscious that lots of Boro fans will be at the races so it’s a question of making it as easy as possible for them.

“We want them to have a fantastic day at the races and then see Boro claim a vital three points.”

As with Redcar’s opening meeting last Monday, Newmarket raiders again have a strong hand with Hugo Palmer, Rae Guest, Michael Bell and Ismail Mohammed all sending runners north.

Palmer’s Carigrad has particularly strong credentials in the 2.35 race, although Kevin Ryan’s Armandihan looks sure to present stiff competition.

North Yorkshire handler Ruth Carr has her string in flying form and enjoyed a treble on Friday, with two winners at Newcastle and another at Lingfield.

She has a good strike rate at Redcar and has four runners on Easter Monday, with Meshardal looking to have the best chance in the 4.55 following a creditable second to Crosse Fire at Southwell a fortnight ago.

As well as a bumper eight-race card, Redcar offers lots of family attractions on Monday, with an Easter Bonnet parade, treasure hunt, and appearances by the Easter Bunny, Mad Hatter and Alice In Wonderland.

It’s a particularly big day for Middlesbrough schoolgirl Olivia Renshaw, 11, below, who has had the 5.30pm race named in her honour after she won a competition to design the racecard.