Danish ace Palm Toft to race in the big Ben Fund meeting

New Peterborough Panthers signing Michael Palm Toft is relishing the opportunity to race in the big Ben Fund Bonanza for the first time.

The Danish racer has been handed a place in the starstudded season-opener at the East of England Arena on March 18.

He will feature alongside Panthers team-mates Scott Nicholls and Ulrich Ostergaard in an individual event headlined by reigning world champion Jason Doyle. A host of past Peterborough stars including Hans Andersen and Kenneth Bjerre also ride.

Palm Toft, back for a second spell with the city club in 2018, said: “Riding in this meeting is something we should all do at some point in our career – especially when you see the top-class riders coming to take part. It doesn’t get any better than the world champion racing in the meeting.

“I’ve never had to use the Ben Fund myself – and I hopefully I never do need to – but it’s a good that it’s there for riders. I know quite a few who have been helped.”

The Ben Fund Bonanza will now start at 6.30pm after being pushed back from an original 2pm slot at the insistence of East of England Arena bosses.

Meeting organiser Paul Ackroyd said: “This is completely beyond our control and I can only apologise to any supporters who have already made plans.

“Ged Rathbone and I were left with a decision – either switch the meeting to the Saturday or race later on the Sunday.

“In the end we felt it had to be Sunday due to the riders who have already committed to being there on the day.”

Michael Palm Toft (right) in action.