July Meeting Races Attract Maximum Fields The two feature races on the opening day of the July Meeting at Newmarket tomorrow, the #200,000 UAE Equestrian & Racing Federation Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) and the #70,000 Chippenham Lodge Stud Cherry Hinton Stakes (Group 2), have attracted top class fields of seven and eight respectively, while for the first time at this meeting all five of the supporting races have attracted maximum fields of twenty. In addition, seven runners will go to post for the top-class Arab Race, the President of the UAE Challenge Derby, which takes place at 12.50pm. Michael Prosser, Newmarket´s Clerk of the Course, said today: 'This was the meeting that we identified four years ago when the new management team took over as the one with the greatest potential for growth. It had slipped behind the level of class and competitiveness of Britain´s other big summer festivals, but I feel that we have really made an impact now thanks to a host of race upgrades, the reframing of several other races and major injections of prize money to increase the three day total by 66% over the last four years to well over #1m. 'The Falmouth and Cherry Hinton are both really strong races and to have maximum fields in tomorrow´s three handicaps and two maidens is absolutely fantastic. It promises to be the start of a tremendous three days of racing on the July Course.' A record crowd for the opening day of the July Meeting is assured, with the Members´ Enclosure already sold, the first time that this has happened on any day at the July Meeting. Overall attendance on Ladies´ Day has increased year on year, from 7,388 in 2000 to 12,808 last year and that figure is set to increase substantially tomorrow. 'We are guaranteed a capacity crowd of 10,000 in the Members Enclosure, so we are set to smash last year´s overall Ladies´ Day record,' said Lisa Hancock. 'There is no problem with capacity in the Grandstand & Paddock and Family Enclosures and tickets will be on sale at the turnstiles tomorrow. While advance sales have also been good for Wednesday and Thursday, tickets for all three enclosures will be available on the day on both days.' Going Update Michael Prosser gave the following update at 1.30pm: 'The track looks in great shape and the going remains Good after light drizzle this morning. Showers are forecast during this afternoon and evening which could amount to 4mm. Tomorrow morning promises to be dry, with rain forecast to come in mid-afternoon. The outlook for Wednesday and Thursday is unsettled.'Minute´s Silence For Tom Halliday There will be a minute´s silence for Tom Halliday, the jump jockey who lost his life in a fall at Market Rasen yesterday, just prior to the first thoroughbred race at Newmarket tomorrow, due off at 1.20pm.
