Kingsley favourite for SPFL mascot race

The Duke and Kingsley set for a ding-dong on Silver Bell Racenight.

Footy character Kingsley will take part in a special mascot race at Hamilton Park Racecourse.

The Partick Thistle representative will join Hamilton Park Racecourse’s own mascot, The Duke, for the 1/2 furlong flat race at Friday’s Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Racenight.

The seven-and-half-foot horse – complete with monocle, top hat and tails – is used to his home course but it is Kingsley who is the firm favourite with the bookies.

Ladbrokes are offering odds of 2/1 for Kingsley while The Duke is 4/1. Hoopy the Huddle Hound and Broxi Bear are 6/1, with Rossco the Staggie and Roary Rover the outsiders at 14/1.

The pair will join mascots from several Ladbrokes Premiership clubs, and Rangers, Hibernian and Raith Rovers from the Championship. The Ladbrokes Premiership trophy will also be present at the showpiece event, which will kick off the historic Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Racenight.

Vivien Kyles, Chief Executive at Hamilton Park Racecourse, said the The Duke - who was designed by Erin Maxwell, a pupil at Chatelherault Primary School - wouldn’t be fazed by Kingsley’s mind games.

She said: “Kingsley might be favourite with the bookies but this is home ground for the dapper Duke and he’ll be keen to put on a good show.

“That said, he hasn’t been taking anything for granted. He’s been out doing laps of the track in preparation for the event and has been putting in some work with the best trainers. He’ll be on top form.”

David Macdonald of Ladbrokes said: "We're thrilled to bring the mascot race back. At first we thought Kingsley might have scared off the competition but there are plenty of rivals looking to give him a run for his money, so at this stage it's too close to call."

Racegoers coming to the Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Racenight are in for a real treat on the last evening meeting of the season with a high-octane set from legendary DJ George Bowie with his GBXperience.

On the track, punters can look forward to the Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Handicap Stakes (Class 3) and its £26,000 prize pot.

The race’s trophy is believed to be the oldest sporting trophy in existence, having being gifted to the people of Lanark by King William ‘The Lion’ in 1165 and is set to be the highlight of the racing action.

Gates open at 3.30pm, with thoroughbred action getting unde rway at 5.20pm.

For more information on Hamilton Park Racecourse visit www.hamilton-park.co.uk.