The Edinburgh Reporter December 2022

22 SPORT

And they’re off!

New Year’s Day

revellers return

to Musselburgh

Racecourse

Comeback for

the Bandits

By SPORTS REPORTER

REVELLERS ARE being offered the chance to

usher in 2023 with a day of quality horse racing

and entertainment – as Musselburgh’s New

Year’s Day fixture reopens to the public for the

first time in two years.

The annual 1 January event was a huge

crowd pleaser but was forced behind closed

doors in both 2021 and 2022 because of the

Covid pandemic.

Now organisers say the revived first jumps

meeting of the year is already on course to sell

out, as it welcomes 7,000 racegoers to soak up

the atmosphere and entertainment.

The racecourse is laying on a fleet of “first

footer” ticketed buses from Penicuik, Dalkeith,

Galashiels, Gorebridge, Dunbar, Haddington

and Edinburgh which will ferry racegoers to

and from the East Lothian venue, which is a

VisitScotland 5-star visitor attraction.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Aisling Johnston, Commercial Manager at

Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “We know just

how much families and friends love getting out

and about on 1 January and there couldn’t be a

better day of entertainment on the cards for all

ages.

“Whether guests are experienced racegoers

or first timers, it is going to be a fantastic day.

We always have a high-quality card and there

are few things as exciting as watching jumps

racing up close.

“Beyond that we’ve got a host of live

entertainment including a fashion competition,

music, DJs and even a ceilidh, and our

marquees will ensure guests can avoid any

surprises the Scottish winter might have in

store.

“We’ve had two years to plan the return of

New Year’s Day racing and we’ve made a range

of changes and improvements. All in all, this is

likely to be our biggest and best New Year’s Day

event since it launched.”

One of the main enhancements is the

provision of extra marquee cover on the

Linkfield Lawn which will play host to

entertainment from ‘The Funkwagen’, a

Volkswagen campervan which has been

converted to include DJ decks and a powerful

sound system, as well as the annual race day

ceilidh, which will go on between races.

Racegoers will also enjoy many other

entertainment options, including pipes and

drums and a wide range of bars and street food

outlets.

Aisling added: “The meeting has always been

popular with families because children are

welcome - and those 17 years old and under go

free on the gate when accompanied by an

adult.”

Gates open at 10.30am, with the first race at

12.20pm and the last race at 3.20pm.

Times are provisional and notable races

include The Hogmaneigh Hurdle and The Auld

Reekie Steeple Chase which have £30,000 prize

money in each.

ITV Racing will cover both races as well as

the Hair of the Dog Handicap.

Musselburgh sees out 2022 with its Festive

Jumps Day meeting on 5 December and the

Christmas Jumper Day on 19 December.

By NIGEL DUNCAN

FORMER EDINBURGH Monarchs star

Rory Schlein will line up for Berwick

Bandits next summer after coming out

of retirement.

The FTS Bandits, powered by Keenwood

Karpets sprung a surprise by announcing

the signing of Schlein, the 2020 British

champion who quit racing after lifting the

Championship title with Poole Pirates and

skippering Wolverhampton Wolves to the

Premiership play-off, semi-finals. Berwick

swooped to sign the Darwin, Northern

Territory-based racer who made his British

debut for Monarchs in 2001.

GLITTERING CAREER

Joining him at Shielfield Park next

season is 27-year-old Connor Coles, son

of another ex-Monarchs racer, Michael.

Coles spent half a season with the

Bandits in 2007. He has been a steady

scorer in the National League, lifting the

league and cup double with Leicester

Lion Cubs last season, and has previous

second tier experience with Edinburgh

and Newcastle.

Team manager Gary Flint said: “I

believe that we have put together a side

capable of winning matches home and

away. After always seeming to just miss

out on the play-offs we are determined

to get there in 2023.

“Once we became aware of Rory’s

availability we were in no doubt that he

would be the perfect fit for the Bandits

bringing huge experience both on and

off track. Connor brings a vast amount of

experience to our reserve pairing.

“While the team is complete there is

still a lot of work going on behind the

scenes and we plan to launch our season

passes and announce details of how

supporters can pre-order our 2023 club

merchandise in December.”

Rory Schlein Connor Coles

Caledonia Photo