TEN months after work began on the new Tattersalls Concourse at Cheltenham Race-course, the development team of contractors, consultants and specialist sub-contractors downed tools to celebrate the building's 'topping out'.

Marking the project's halfway stage and the establishment of the highest point of the development, Lord Vestey, chairman of Cheltenham Racecourse, joined the festivities to drop in the last spade of concrete and complete the building's external structure.

To mark the occasion, the project's contractors Moss Construction presented Lord Vestey with a silver trowel.

Thanking the team responsible for the development to date, Lord Vestey said: "The Tattersalls Concourse is a very exciting phase in our improvements.

Magnificent building

"The topping out ceremony marks a special moment, and an opportunity to thank the team that has been working here for up to ten months to create this magnificent building."

Paul Cullen, chairman and managing director of Moss Construction said: "This project has generated a tremendous atmosphere and is a credit to everybody involved. I'm sure we will see it continue as we bring the development to a successful conclusion."

With half of the 81-week project complete and the structural steel frame and roof in place, plans are on schedule to put the finishing touches to the Tattersalls Concourse by December.

During race meetings, the new building will provide bar and catering facilities for racegoers with giant TV screens showing live and recorded action.

Outside the racing calendar, the new venue that will have a seating capacity of 2,300 and 4,500 standing, will be used for exhibitions, conferences, concerts and other events.

It's the biggest meeting of the year at Strat-ford this weekend when tomorrow and Saturday's cards at the Intrum Justitia meeting offers fans a fabulous 14-race card.

There will be more than £160,000 of added prize money with the highlight being Saturday's 45th running of the Intrum Justitia (Horse and Hound) Final Champion Hunters Steeple Chase, worth £30,000.