Horse Racing: 2,500 free tickets go unused

Although that figure still represents a healthy attendance for a non-holiday weekday afternoon, it appears that almost 2,500 ticket recipients decided against a free day's racing - even though champion jockey Paul Hanagan and former title winners Kieren Fallon and Jamie Spencer were among the box office draws.

The tickets were distributed as part of the Racing for Change promotion to offer free racing in April at 25 UK racecourses, and despite the lower-than-expected crowd, Musselburgh officials were satisfied with their start to the season. General manager, Bill Farnsworth, said: "The Racing for Change promotion really grabbed the attention of the race going public. Although we didn't get the numbers we hoped for there was with a real buzz about the place and this hopefully sets the tone for another successful Flat season.

"Our regular race goers have saved over 20 with the free admission and we hope that the more infrequent visitors we had here on Friday will return more often now they have seen what we can offer.

"I have been highlighting the problems all racecourse face with declining prize-money and we have to look for new ways to pull in the crowds and attract new people in to racing. This kind of promotion, and thinking up other initiatives to keep horse racing energised, may go some way to minimising the damage caused by declining prize money levels."

Midnight Chase and Synchronised are the most notable absentees following the confirmation stage for the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, while Scotland's big grey hope - Silver By Nature - stood his ground among the 65 remaining entries.

Welsh National winner Synchronised was last seen finishing third in the Midlands equivalent at Uttoxeter, while Cheltenham Gold Cup fifth Midnight Chase is instead likely to take his chance in Thursday's totesport Bowl.

Last year's National hero Don't Push It heads the field, with Scotsirish, Notre Pere, Ballytrim and Nedzer's Return the other horses who were in the race proper to have been withdrawn.

Although Willie Mullins has taken out Scotsirish and the injured Ballytrim, the Irish champion trainer still has a strong hand, headed by ante-post favourite The Midnight Club. Mullins can also call upon Dooneys Gate, as well as Arbor Supreme and Our Monty, who are now the final two horses guaranteed a place in the 40-runner race.British champion Paul Nicholls is still searching for an elusive first National triumph and he, too, is mob-handed, with the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Gold Cup fourth What A Friend - also entered in the Scottish National seven days later - seemingly the best of his team.

Backstage, Ballabriggs, Oscar Time and Big Fella Thanks also figure in the remaining entries.