THE man who trained the most winners in Britain last year will head a star-studded panel at the Middleham Stables Open Day on Good Friday.

No-one saddled more than the 211 victors by Mark Johnston and his team in 2010 and the Kingsley House-based trainer will be taking part in a special question and answer session at the popular event on April 22.

Johnston will be joined by champion jockey Paul Hanagan, West-Witton trainer Ferdy Murphy, who saddles leading fancy Big Fella Thanks in Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree, and racing legend Jack Berry, MBE.

Organisers are planning the biggest open day in the event’s 22-year history, which sees the racing yards of the town flung open to the public in the morning.

The question and answer session will take place on Middleham’s Low Moor in the afternoon, along with a mini-marathon and many other events.

There will be a marquee and bar, which will be open all afternoon and into the early evening, as well as a lucrative cash raffle, with proceeds going to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Judith Brickwood, one of the open day organisers, said: “As always, the town’s stables will be open in the morning, giving visitors the unique chance to see some of the best racehorses in the north of England and meet their trainers.

“This year, we have a host of afternoon events as well, which will add value and enjoyment to a fantastic day out. Horse-racing has been at the heart of Middleham since the 18th century when race meetings were held on the High Moor and today the town accommodates 12 of England’s flat and national hunt trainers with over 400 horses in training,”

More than 6,000 people attended last year’s event, which raised more than £14,000 for local charities. The yards are open to the public on Good Friday from 9.30am until 1pm. Free parking is available in Middleham, or nearby Leyburn, with free bus links between car parks and the outlying stables.

Admission is £7 in advance for adults or £8 at the gate.

Children under 12 are admitted free. A special Wensleydale Railway train leaves Leeming Bar at 8am.

Phone 08454 505474 for further details.

For all inquiries, phone the Middleham Key Centre on 01969 624411 or visit the website www.middlehamstablesopenevent.co.uk