Another horse-racing meeting will be held at the Marsa racetrack on Sunday, starting at 1.30pm, featuring a seven race card.

This will see the start of this season’s first championship, the Assikura Championship on the short 2,140m distance, reserved for trotters which are neither French nor Swedish.

Although they are less numerous among us than their French and Swedish counterparts, horses from no less than nine countries will compete in these championships, some of which, such as the USA, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland and others have a long trot racing tradition.

Two semi-finals from each of the A and B categories will be held, with ten horses from each category making it to the finals.

We also have an interesting Premier class race on the longer 2,640m distance. Many of the15 trotters taking part come from recent wins or good places, including Nagano Phedo, Nomade de Mai, Janitor, Energy Launcher and the rest.

Seven thoroughbreds are registered to participate in the Class A flat race including, among others, Exotique Challenge Cup holder Kimberley Downs, former double Mediterranean Derby winner Just The Best and two British newcomers, Palagonia and Sleep Walking.

Championships are the heart and soul of horse-racing. The Assikura Championship is once again expected to provide all enthusiasts with some first class races and nail-biting finishes, which will lead to the eventual winners in the finals being held in a couple of weeks’ time.