SHANG-A-LANG ROUTE 74 TO HAMILTON PARK RACECOURSE WITH LES MCKEOWN’S BAY CITY ROLLERS

 Hamilton Park Racecourse will be rocking all things Scottish this Friday as the venue plays host to a racing and entertainment extravaganza  – the action-packed, tartan-inspired  Route 74 Truckstop Braveheart Night this coming Friday May 13^th, part of the Jordan Electric Premier 5 series.

Racegoers will roll back the years as they dig out their tartan trews and watch Scottish music legend Les McKeown and his Bay City Rollers take centre stage following an evening of top class racing – with early entries from HRH The Queen, HH Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation and Newmarket trainer Ed Dunlop.

Vivien Kyles, Chief Executive at Hamilton Park Racecourse, said: “The racecourse is now in full swing and following our launch on May 1st, we are certainly keeping the momentum going as the Route 74 Truckstop Braveheart Night rolls up at Hamilton Park.  Les McKeown knows how to get the crowd going and we can’t wait to hear some Bay City Roller classics played in our venue. We really have taken our off-track entertainment to the next level this year and this very patriotic event is set to be a real rip-roaring feast of everything Scottish – including a host of fantastic racing action from the track.  We’re delighted to welcome back Patersons of Greenoakhill as lead sponsor, with the event named after their venture, The Route 74 Truckstop which includes Wheelers Diner, just along the M74 at Lesmahagow.”

Les McKeown added: “We can’t wait to take to the stage at Hamilton Park Racecourse for Braveheart night.  It’s our first time performing here and we’ll be wowing the crowd with a show-stopping set packed full of our top hits. Nothing beats playing to a home audience and we’re encouraging everyone to don something tartan and really get behind the Braveheart theme of the evening.”

While party-goers will be able to enjoy a string of 70’s hits, Highland Dancers and Scottish Pipers, punters are also set to be treated to a night of high quality racing action.

Braveheart Night has attracted some of the country’s finest horses to compete for its £64,000 prize money pot and with both Hamilton Park and HRH the Queen celebrating their 90^th birthdays in 2016 – management are delighted to welcome two entries from Her Majesty.

One of HRH’s  horses – Fabricate – is entered in the hotly anticipated £25,000 Route 74 Truckstop Braveheart Handicap Stakes, won in 2015 by 14/1 shot Only Orsenfoolsies, who is a possible contender again this year.

Subject to final declarations on Wednesday morning, another of the Queen’s horses – Clear Evidence – is also set to appear on the evening. The event will mark the fifth anniversary of the legendary Red Cadeaux’s famous Braveheart Listed stakes victory in 2011 – and trainer Ed Dunlop has entered Scrutinise in this year’s renewal.

The six day entries include some of the biggest names in racing, including runners from Godolphin, William Haggas, Mark Johnston and Richard Fahey, as well as local trainers Keith Dalgleish and Jim Goldie.

 Vivien added: “Excitement really is building for the Route 74 Truckstop Braveheart Night. We’ve got a great night of action on and off the track – we’re thrilled that our card has attracted such high profile entries including two from HRH The Queen.  Tickets are selling very fast so I would urge people to take advantage of our advance ticket prices and grab their place at what is sure to be an thrilling evening of racing and entertainment.”

The Route 74 Truckstop Braveheart night gets underway with gates opening at 3.30pm – the first race takes place at 5.45pm and the last at 9pm. Advance discount tickets are on sale now from only £19. Under 18’s go free.