MORE than 20,000 race-goers are expected at Newbury Racecourse today (Saturday) for the 50th running of the Hennessy Gold Cup.
It is the highlight of the racecourse's three-day Winter Festival and 20 runners will take part.
The big race, which is run over three miles and two and a half furlongs begins at 2.40pm with a record prize this year of £200,000.
Previous winner Denman will be going head to head with the Queen’s Barber Shop, who is trained by Lambourn's Nicky Henderson.
Denman was ruled out of last year’s race with a heart problem but his trainer Paul Nicholls said: “Denman is twice the horse he was last season and we are very happy with him, if the going came up soft this will not bother him.”
Lambourn trainer Henderson added: “The Hennessy Gold Cup is a very special race to me as it’s ran at our local racecourse and it’s a race I would like to win again, following Trabolgan’s very memorable success in 2005.
“Barber Shop will run in cheek pieces on Saturday, as Mick Fitzgerald, when he was still riding, and AP McCoy, advised this would help him with his concentration.”
The three days are rounded off with a race for amateur jockeys over the course and distance of the Hennessy Gold Cup.
The partying also looks set to continue into the night with Mayfair night spot, Mahiki, organising after race entertainment.
In previous years Newbury town centre, and in particular the A339 and Hambridge Road, have been gridlocked as racegoers flock to the course.
West Berkshire Council confirmed it had held talks with the racecourse over traffic management throughout the event.
"We have looked at what can be done to ensure we are prepared as possible for the increase in vehicles coming into the town," said council spokesman Phil Spray. "Whilst there are no obvious concerns, we would recommend anyone planning to visit the event over the weekend who can use public transport, to do so in order to reduce the pressure on the roads."
It was a sentiment echoed by the organisers, who are urging people to travel by train to Newbury Racecourse station and to follow the AA signs through the town if they are driving.
Newburytoday’s cameras and the NWN photographers will be out in force at the races on Saturday and you can enjoy reliving the moments in our video reports and special picture galleries on newburytoday.co.uk next week.

Keep an eye on newburytoday.co.uk tonight for a special picture gallery and video report.