THE 2007 Flat racing season at Haydock Park comes to a climax with the racecourse's major race of the year this weekend.

Some of the fastest racehorses in Europe will be making their way to the region for the 41st running of the Betfred Sprint Cup.

The six-furlong race, with £300,000 in prize-money, is the richest racing event annually at the racecourse, and is second in value only to the Grand National in the North West. Likely runners include former Sprint Cup, winner Somnus as well as this season's unbeaten sprinter, Sakhee's Secret which is favourite for the race.

The two-day Betfred Sprint Cup meeting starts on Friday, September 7 with the Professional Footballers' Association Centenary Raceday.

On Saturday, the entire racecard is very classy, including the betfredcasino.com Old Borough Cup and the betfredbingo Be Friendly Handicap, the latter commemorating the horse that won the first two runnings of the Sprint Cup in 1966 and 1967.

The first race times on Friday and Saturday are 2pm and 2.05pm respectively.

Visitors should note the different admission prices on each day.