DOWNPATRICK stages its final meeting of the year next Friday, September 17th, and the racecourse management is using the occasion to make local businesses aware of the upgrades which have taken place at the track.

They have been busy promoting the fixture around the town, inviting business owners/managers to attend this end-of-season raceday. AJC Electrical, supplier of the track’s ‘Big Screen’, is offering a prize of a 50” LED television with Bar sound to the winner of a free draw.

Newry firm Horse First is sponsoring the prize for the leading trainer at Downpatrick during the year and, with 13 successes to his credit at this stage, Gordon Elliott, who saddled three winners at the last meeting here, cannot be beaten.

All those who attended last Saturday’s first round of the Bright GAA Club Strictly Come Dancing competition in Downpatrick Cricket Club were presented with tickets to Friday’s meeting as will those going to the second semi-final tonight.

It’s good to see local sporting bodies working together and the dancers and their supporters will probably make the most of the live music after racing on Friday.