AMBITIOUS plans to make Haydock Park the best dual jumping and flat course in the country were unveiled this week.

Managing director Richard Thomas said: "Improvements at Haydock over the past few years have lifted us to the very pinnacle of British racing.

"We aim to reach our goal of offering more than any other dual course in Britain during the National Hunt season."

Owners and trainers will be be treated in a VIP pavilion ion the paddock, offering complimentary meals and refreshments."

Prize money for the 1999/2000 National Hunt season is being raised by 14 per cent, taking it to almost £700,000, an increase of a third since 1995.

This all comes on top of a £3 million investment in Haydock's new Centenary Grandstand that opened during the summer and includes the Premier Suite on its top floor.

Further improvements are planned, with a new weighing room, jockeys' room and winners' enclosure.

For the first time prize money for the Greenalls Grand National Trial in February - which is set to attract an entry from last year's victor Young Kenny - will top £100,000, a rise of nearly £20,000.

Meanwhile, the course has announced a major sponsorship with Littlewood's telephone betting service, Bet Direct, that will support four of Haydock's major jump chases, including the Edward Hanmer, the Tommy Whittle and the Peter Marsh.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.