THE FINAL meeting of 2010 at Newton Abbot Racecourse takes place on Monday when the first of seven races is scheduled to start.

First race is the South West Racing Club Novices' Hurdle over 2m 1f a 2.30pm.

Six of the races in all are named after the racing club that has done sterling service in popularising horse racing in this area over more than 30 years.

The club's racehorse of the year, Big Bucks, will be parading at the course during the afternoon. He is owned by Andy Stewart and his family, and trained by champion Paul Nicholls in Ditcheat near Shepton Mallet.

He was the repeat winner of the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival this season and is the leading staying hurdler in the country.

A Novices' Handicap Hurdle over 2m 1f is next, followed by the Joan Pearson Birthday Handicap Hurdle run over the marathon distance, for a hurdle anyway, of 3m 3f.

The feature race of the day (4pm) is the South West Racing Club Handicap Chase over 2m 5.5f. It is a Class 3 event and offers guaranteed prize money of £10,000.

A handicap hurdle over 2m 1f follows.

Racing for the year concludes with a Handicap Chase over 2m 0.5f and a Novices' Handicap Hurdle over two furlongs short of three miles.

Looking back on the season, managing director Pat Masterson said: "With all things taken into consideration, including the financial climate and the poor summer weather, on the whole it has been another successful season with a number of our fixtures being up on the previous year.

"The economic conditions have been hard on everyone and it has forced us to think of ways in which we can support local people and companies through these tough times.

"Our initiatives such as the Super Monday Specials two-for-one ticket promotions and Landlord's Day have proved to be extremely popular this season, allowing people to enjoy a great value day out whilst also helping drive footfall to other local businesses.

"On behalf of all of the staff at Newton Abbot I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has visited the course this year for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming you again next year."

Tickets are still available for Monday's meeting and can be bought online at www.newtonabbotracing.com or by calling Newton Abbot (01626) 353235.

Newton Abbot then leaves the autumn racing to Exeter Racecourse, high on Haldon. The first meeting there is on Thursday, October 7 (2.20pm).