Business matters: in-tray.

Byline: Howard Wright

LINGFIELD is staging a special Family Easter Fun Day on Thursday when mums get in free, and children, as always, will get in free.

Before racing starts children will be invited to take part in a Grand Chocolate Easter Egg Hunt.

There will also be egg and spoon races on the last furlong of the racecourse between races, with prizes including family tickets to Chessington World of Adventures and tickets to Howletts and Port Lympne Animal Park.

Extra entertainment for children includes a face painter, Mr Topples the clown, Punch and Judy and a creche.

l l l l l l l

MUSSELBURGH has become the first Scottish course to join the `Back a winner by train' promotion supported by operators Northern Rail, TransPennine Express and GNER.

Racegoers can obtain pounds 3 discount vouchers for entrance if they travel by train.

The scheme runs through the year, and the English tracks involved are Beverley, Carlisle, Doncaster, Hexham, Newcastle, Redcar, Thirsk and York (except August and Royal Ascot). Details on 01904 524683 and 01937 580051.

l l l l l l l

THE Levy Board has approved substantial interest-free loans for two tracks in the RHT group.

Carlisle receives pounds 1.05m towards a new complex comprising stables, staff hostel and groundsman's house, which will be built near the parade ring.

Huntingdon is putting pounds 1.075m towards replacing the existing stand with a new two-storey building that will have betting, eating and drinking facilities on the ground floor, and four corporate boxes and external steppings on the first level. Tote facilities are also being revamped and there will be a new entrance.

l l l l l l l

RACING UK is thanking pubs and hotels that take its service by naming them in on-screen promotions.

Executive chairman Simon Bazalgette said: "We haven't really pushed our commercial facility yet, but we have been encouraged by the consumer-led demand from pubs serving racing fans and some hotels near our member racecourses."

RUK started a marketing campaign to coincide with the Cheltenham Festival. The commercial subscription costs pounds 100 per month, or pounds 1,000 a year in advance, compared with pounds 20 per month, or pounds 200 up front, for residential subscribers.

l l l l l l l

NEWMARKET trainer Michael Bell has renewed his stable sponsorship deal with Kleinwort Benson Private Bank.