Published: Wednesday, 24th December, 2008 2:05pm

Rosyth hurdler eyes £4000 New Year Sprint prize

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HURDLER Francis Smith is hoping to end his year on a high note in the famous New Year Sprint at Musselburgh.

This year"s event, on Sunday and Monday, marks the 140th running of the 'Powderhall Sprint', as it was formerly known, and Smith will be hoping to add his name to a list of former Fife winners that include West Fife"s Jimmy Bryce, who won in 1956, and 100 metres sprinter Nick Smith, who was victorious in 2000.

Francis, who is reigning Scottish 400m hurdles champion, has been given a mark of just 4.25m for the main event, the handicap sprint over 110m, making his chances of getting anywhere near the £4000 first prize pretty slim.

But he told Press Sport, 'I say I have got no real chance but it just depends on what other people are in your heat.

'If you get through and reach the cross ties then you"ve a good chance of reaching the final and then anything can happen.'

Francis has always gone out in the heats in previous years but insists he"s looking forward to stepping out for the event on the famous racecourse.

'It"s good just to be away from the track and do something different on the grass,' he said.

Smith"s clubmate, and Scottish 200m champion, Stacey Downie will also be competing, while Dunfermline mother and daughter Wendy and Gemma Nicol have also entered.

Taking part in the youth events will be Douglas Paul, the Scottish Games Association (SGA) winner, Pitreavie"s under-15 Scottish 1500m champion Kathryn Pennel and brother Johnny, and their club mates, Ben Potrykos and Miceala Brown.

Scotland"s fastest man, Nick Smith, will not be trying for a second victory in the main event but will be contesting the SGA British 110m championship, where the promoter is offering £20,000 to anyone breaking George McNeill"s 1970 record of 11.14 seconds.

The first race on day one starts at 11 o"clock and admission is £6 (including programme) with under-16s free. Admission on the second day is £20 (under-16s free).