HORSE racing fans were advised to book Premier tickets as soon as possible for the two most popular fixtures of the year at Newcastle Racecourse.

Tickets for the top enclosure at Gosforth Park are 95% sold out for Ladies’ Day on Saturday, 25 July, and will all be gone in the next few days, while those for John Smith’s Northumberland Plate day on Saturday, 27 June, are expected to be gone by the end of next week. Grandstand and paddock tickets for both events can also be bought in advance at www.newcastle-racecourse. co.uk. Some will be available at the gate on the two days, but booking is advisable to avoid disappointment. The racecourse anticipates reaching its 25,000 capacity on both the day when the race historically known as the Pitmen’s Derby is run, and a month later for the annual Ladies’ Day.

Up to 50,000 people in total are expected to attend the three-day John Smith’s Northumberland Plate Festival on the afternoon of Thursday, 25 June, the evening of Friday, 26 June, and the afternoon of Saturday, 27 June.

The festival opens with Seaton Delaval Trophy day, continues the following evening with Gosforth Park Cup night, with the biggest day of all on the Saturday afternoon when the £180,000 John Smith’s Northumberland Plate - the richest two-mile handicap race in Europe - is run. To make the day more comfortable for visitors, the numbers of bars and food outlets are being increased.

There will also be three large screens so that no one needs to miss any of the racing action. New this year on Plate Day and Ladies Day’ is Premier Plus admission, aimed at individuals and companies whose budgets may not stretch to full hospitality during the economic downturn.

For details, go to www. newcastle-racecourse.co.uk or call (0191) 236-2020. Bookings are being taken online and by telephone.