Sunday's horse racing programme at Marsa will comprise two semi-finals in connection with the St James Hospital Challenge Cup for flat racers.

In a statement, the Malta Racing Club said 13 horses have been registered for the competition which reaches its climax with the final, scheduled for the June 10 meeting.

On Sunday, the first three horses in the two Challenge Cup races, starting at 3 and 4.10 p.m., will qualify for the final. The others who fail to make the cut will figure in the 'B' final, also to be held on June 10.

The horses competing in the first qualifier are Black Metal, Etoile du Pic, Alassien, Secondino, Kindly Alex, Waterpaint and Kohima. The other semi-final will be contested by debutant Carillion Rouge, Dioganier, Flaming Ballet, Generous Spirit, Genievre and Peter Com.

This is the second year that St James Hospital, who provide an ambulance and other basic medical services during weekend meetings at the Marsa Racetrack, are sponsoring the Challenge Cup.

Matthew Brincat, on behalf of the Malta Racing Club, voiced his satisfaction at the renewal of the sponsorship for another year and expressed his wish that other organisations follow suit.

"We thank St James Hospital for their appreciation of the Malta Racing Club's efforts to hold more flat racing competitions that would draw more spectators to the track," he said.

Jean Claude Muscat, St James Hospital director, presented the sponsorship to Dr Brincat.