RACECOURSE CATEGORY PAGES - JANUARY 2019

Bangor on Dee Racecourse Located in delightful Welsh countryside near Wrexham, Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse is a left-handed National Hunt course. Racing has taken place there since 1859, except during both world wars. Many leading trainers such as Paul Nicholls and send their younger thoroughbreads to Bangor as an education for bigger, more esteemed race meetings.

Bath Racecourse Racing was first recorded at Bath in 1728 and there are now twenty-two meets per year, including two notable races — the Lansdown Fillies’ Stakes, which takes place in April, and the Beckford Stakes, held each October. The left-handed course is one mile, four furlongs and 25 yards long, with a half-mile run-in.

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Beverley Racecourse Annual race meetings first took place at , in the East Riding of , in the mid 18th century. There are currently 19 meetings per year, with headline races including the Hilary Needler Trophy in May and the Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes in August. Both draw expectant crowds to the historic right-handed, one mile three furlong flat course.

Brighton Racecourse The three-day Festival in August is the seasonal highlight at Racecourse, with the Brighton Mile Challenge Trophy Handicap attracting punters and keeping the bookies busy. There are currently 18 race meetings per year at the left-handed circuit which, like Downs, is unusual as it doesn’t form a full circuit.

Carlisle Racecourse Racecourse’s biggest race, The Carlisle Bell, was first contested in 1599. Taking place each June over seven furlongs and 173 yards, the name ‘Bell’ refers to bells awarded to race winners under the reign of Elizabeth I. Other notable races include Eternal Stakes in June, the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase in November, and Houghton Mares' Chase in December.

Cartmel Racecourse Cumbria’s often draws crowds of around 20,000 people; the third-highest average racecourse attendance in Britain behind Aintree and . Nine race meetings are held each year between the end of May and August Bank Holiday, such as the two-day July meeting where the lucrative Cumbria Crystal Hurdle Race runs.

Catterick Racecourse

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The first recorded race meeting at Catterick took place in 1783. The feature race at the left-handed mile-long circuit is currently the , which takes place each January. The main grandstand, built in 1906, still stands, while there have been improvements to help attract renowned trainers and the general public.

Chelmsford City Racecourse Opened in 2008, Chelmsford City Racecourse is the first entirely new course to open in Britain since in 1927. The racecourse went into administration in 2009 and reopened in 2015. Currently, the highest graded race held at the circuit is the Queen Fillies' Stakes, which commemorates a race held at the old Chelmsford Racecourse in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Chepstow Racecourse Home to the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle held in October, and the held in December, Racecourse, located close to the border with , is ’ premier flat and National Hunt course. A complete circuit is just under two miles, with a final five furlong straight, while there is also a mile-long straight course.

Epsom Downs Racecourse Racecourse, where racing was first recorded in the mid 17th century, has a long association with the , with the Queen attending each June for the Derby. The Meeting has three Group 1 races — The Oaks, The and the Derby itself — with the latter being the UK’s premier race for three-year-old fillies and colts.

Exeter Racecourse , dating back to the mid 17th century, is one of the many racecourses created due to Charles II’s of . A complete lap of the

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course includes 11 fences, including two open ditches and a water jump. The most notable race, the Grade 2 , takes place each November, over two miles one furlong and 110 yards.

Fakenham Racecourse Since 2000, Charles, Prince of Wales has been a patron of in ​ ​ Norfolk, with the course located a few miles from the Queen’s private home at Sandringham. Dedicated to , the mile-long circuit is square shaped with tight left-handed turns suited to nimble, well-balanced horses.

Ffos Las Racecourse The Welsh Hurdle is the standout event at in . Ran at Chepstow since 1969, the Grade 2 race moved to Ffos Las in 2010, but first ran in 2011 due to inclement weather. The left-handed course is a mile and a half long with an offshoot for five or six furlong races over a straight course.

Fontwell Park Racecourse Opened in 1924, in is the home of the National Sprint Hurdle and Southern National, running in February and November respectively. The National Hunt course is a set out in a figure of eight, and where Princess Elizabeth, before becoming our current Queen, had her first winner with Monaveen in the 1949 Chichester Handicap Chase.

Goodwood Racecourse Best known for the annual ‘Glorious Goodwood’ festival taking place in late July and early August, is home to three annual Group 1 races — the , and . Set in the wonderful Sussex Downs, it is perhaps the social highlight of the UK flat racing season.

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Great Yarmouth Racecourse Racing was first recorded at Great Yarmouth Racecourse in 1715, where The John Musker Fillies Stakes is currently the most valuable race. Taking place each September since 1993 over one mile two furlongs and 23 yards, many revered horses have ridden it and gone onto much greater things, including Breeder’s Cup glory in the United States.

Hamilton Park Racecourse First hosting racing in 1782, Hamilton Park is a true gem on the Scottish racing map. The , taking place each July, has listed status and is the race to look out for. Set on on the banks of the River Clyde, the course is the home of Scottish Racing.

Haydock Park Racecourse The current Haydock Racecourse opened in 1899, although racing has taken place in the area since at least the 1830s. The left-handed course is one mile five furlongs long with space for both flat and National Hunt racing. Standout races include the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup each September and the held in ​ ​ November.

Hereford Racecourse , which has hosted racing since the mid 18th century, is squared shaped and around a mile and a half long. Historically, a lack of available water supply has led to problems, including race meets being cancelled or moved to nearby Worcester due to hard ground. However, construction of a reservoir in the ​ ​ ​ ​ centre of the track commenced in August 2018, which should address the issue.

Hexham Racecourse Opened circa 1740, in Northumberland is a National Hunt course near and Sunderland, located just north of the North

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Pennines Area of Natural Beauty. Taking place each May, the Heart of All England ​ Hunters’ Chase, ran over three miles one furlong, is the course’s principal race. ​

Huntingdon Racecourse Standout races at Cambridgeshire’s include the Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle in February and the held each December. A right-handed National Hunt course set in quintessential English countryside, the relatively tight oval-shaped track has two open ditches, meaning only the strongest jumpers tend to prevail.

Jockey Club Established in 1750, the is the largest commercial horse racing organisation in the United Kingdom. It is responsible for organising some of the racing calendar’s biggest races, such as the Grand National and . It also owns 15 of the UK’s most well-known courses, including Aintree, Epsom Downs, Cheltenham and Kempton Park.

Kelso Racecourse Horse racing was first recorded at Kelso in 1734, with the course hosting flat racing until 1888 before becoming used exclusively for National Hunt meets. A tight left-handed course suited to agile horses, the three furlong, uphill run-in means stamina is also key as runners approach the finish. The Morebattle Hurdle in February and Premier Kelso Hurdle in March are yearly highlights, with both races covering two miles four furlongs.

Kempton Park Racecourse Punters at Kempton Park always anticipate the traditional Boxing Day meeting with its three Grade 1 races — the King George VI Chase, the Novices' Chase and . Kempton has a turf track for National Hunt racing and an

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all-weather synthetic polytrack with floodlights for racing in all weather conditions and light levels.

Leicester Racecourse Opened in 1883, is a two-mile circuit that hosts both National Hunt and flat meets. The tough uphill finish is made harder in soft or heavy going, with runners often winning from behind. The Listed King Richard III Stakes, held in April, was formerly known as the Leicestershire Stakes and renamed in 2013 after the remains of King Richard III were found near Leicester.

Lingfield Park Racecourse With its outer National Hunt course and inner all-weather flat course, ’s Lingfield Park is able to host over 100 race meetings per year. Flat races of upto a mile run on the straight course, while longer races using the left-handed circuit join at four furlongs to the finish. May is a busy month with two prestigious flat races, the Lingfield Oak Trial and , testing three-year-olds on an undulating course likened to Epsom Downs.

Ludlow Racecourse Archives show racing took place at , Shropshire, in the 14th Century, well before the National Hunt track opened in the 19th century. In modern times, there are plenty of race meetings to keep punters happy. With sharp right-hand bends and high fences, only nimble runners and strong jumpers are in with a chance of placing well. The underfoot conditions mean soft and heavy ground are a rarity.

Market Rasen Racecourse The final fence at National Hunt course Market Rasen has toppled many a strong runner. Those who jump it in the lead, usually light-footed horses comfortable around the course’s tight right-hand bends, have just 220 yards until the finish line.

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Look out for the Summer Plate meeting held each July, with two highlights, the Summer Hurdle and Summer Plate race itself, amongst the most valuable races held in Britain each summer.

Musselburgh Racecourse Opened in 1816, Racecourse on the banks of the River Esk, is the second biggest course in Scotland. Once only a flat course, it now hosts National Hunt races, with a tough set of fences (and two open ditches) introduced as recently in 1987. The flat uphill finish has proven too much for many tired jumpers, while the five furlong straight course has been recorded as one of the fastest in the UK.

Newcastle Racecourse , located a few miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne, opened its new all-weather flat course in 2016. The course’s most prestigious National Hunt race, the Grade 1 , is held each November over two miles. The Northumberland Plate meeting held each June is the flat racing highlight, with the and Northumberland Plate race itself the two main events.

Newton Abbot Racecourse Located in on the north bank of the River Teign, Newton Abbot Racecourse is just one mile two furlongs in length, making it one of the shortest in the UK. With small fences and a short run-in, the course provides a nice test for fledgling chasers. The main grandstand was opened in 1969 by the Queen Mother. In recent times the course plays host to many summer meetings, accommodating tourists visiting nearby Exeter and Torquay.

Nottingham Racecourse The old National Hunt course at was converted for flat racing in 1996, meaning organisers can now switch between two similarly distanced flat circuits depending on ground conditions. Three Listed races, the Barry Hills Further Flight

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Stakes in April, Kilvington Fillies' Stakes in May, and Nottinghamshire Oaks in June, are highlights. The course’s two long straights and tight bends suit well-balanced runners.

Perth Racecourse Set on the banks of the twisting River Tay, Perth is Britain’s northernmost racecourse. The one mile ten furlong National Hunt course has long sweeping bends and eight fences, meaning it’s tailor-made for long-striding front runners who also jump well. Horse and jockey must also navigate a water jump situated directly in front of the main grandstand, although it is always missed on the final run-in.

Plumpton Racecourse The National Hunt course at Plumpton is located in West Sussex, near Brighton and Lewes. An undulating ride, runners need stamina to be within a chance of victory, not least to make it up the rising 200-yard final run-in. Most racing enthusiasts will tell you that Plumpton is where Tony McCoy rode his 3,000th winner in 2009, but can you name both the horse and its trainer?

Pontefract Racecourse Records show that racing took place at in as far back as 1684. A flat course with undulations and a three furlong finish, well-placed frontrunners with enough stamina quite often come home ahead of a chasing field. Keep a lookout for any past winners; they’re often successful running on ground they understand, with other horses unable to master this historic course.

Redcar Racecourse Racecourse, made up of two long straights and two tight bends, is the only racecourse in the UK over a mile long to be completely flat. The two biggest races are the Two-Year-Old Trophy and Guisborough Stakes in October, both of which

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are listed, while the Zetland Gold Cup handicap takes place in May. The summer schedule is busy, with plenty of holidaymakers enjoying a day at the races.

Ripon Racecourse The current course at , set in the stunning Yorkshire Dales, has hosted race meetings since 1900, yet there are records suggesting racing took place in the town as far back as 1664. With two long straights, tight bends and a five furlong run-in, the course offers a stern test for most horse and jockey pairing. Look out for the Great St. Wilfrid Stakes and Ripon Champion Two Year Old Trophy, both held in August over six furlongs.

Salisbury Racecourse There has been flat racing at Salisbury since the mid-16th century. Many notable runners have claimed victory over the years, including Gimcrack in 1786 and in 1970. Salisbury’s unusual course layout, with a mile-long straight and wide open spaces, means trainers like sending their best horses to compete. The in August and Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes in September are the highest class races.

Sandown Park Racecourse Only the best jumpers prevail over Sandown Park’s intimidating fences. The course, which opened in 1875, hosts both National Hunt and flat races, as well as some of the biggest meetings on the British racing calendar. Coral Day in July, named after Eclipse, a legendary 18th-century horse, is the flat racing highlight. The Grade 1 in December is the National Hunt race to look out for.

Sedgefield Racecourse Look out for previous winners when betting at Sedgefield. This undulating National Hunt course might not have the biggest fences, but with tight bends and a three furlong run-in that dips and then rises, it’s a tricky one for some horses to master.

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Did you know the run-in at Sedgefield was once 525 yards? That’s even longer than Aintree’s Grand National finish.

Southwell Racecourse Southwell in Nottinghamshire hosts both National Hunt and flat racing. It is one of only six UK courses to have an all-weather track, and the only course in Britain with a fibresand surface made of sand and fibres. The course doesn’t provide the biggest of tests for jumpers, while the relatively easy 220-yard run-in also isn’t much of an issue.

Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse is used exclusively for National Hunt racing. Opened in 1755, it is defined by its tight bends and short straights, including a relatively easy 200-yard run to the finish. The going tends to be good even in dry conditions, while the fences, of which there are five hurdles, don’t offer too much of a test for confident runners.

Taunton Racecourse is set in picture-perfect countryside, just outside the historic town of Taunton. The National Hunt course is known for its high fences and an open ditch, while there are tight bends and long straights, as well as a 150-yard uphill run to the finish. Horses with stamina and a good jumping ability tend to do well here.

Thirsk Racecourse The two biggest crowd-pullers at Racecourse are The Classic Trail in April and the Thirsk Hunt Cup in May. A flat racing course with a three-furlong finish, the slight dip towards the line isn’t suited to horses with a galloping style. Thirsk attracts plenty of northern trainers, so you’ll likely see some well-known names lining up come raceday.

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Towcester Racecourse Speak to any trainer or jockey and they’ll tell you all about the brutal uphill finish at Racecourse. Many horses have faded towards the line during the 200-yard run-in, which proves too much following nine fences, a water jump and four sharp bends. A firm favourite within the racing fraternity, look out for unexpected finishes which often leave bookies and punters speechless.

Uttoxeter Racecourse in Staffordshire, opened in 1907, now hosts around 25 National Hunt meetings a year. The back straight is the main feature, with a rising dog-leg over Clump Hill, before a downhill run-in towards the final straight and finish line. AP McCoy won aboard Mighty Montefalco at Uttoxeter in 2002, to claim his 1,700th race victory and break National Hunt records.

Warwick Racecourse Since 2014, Racecourse has been a National Hunt course after flat meetings were stopped following a fatality. There are now around 19 jump race meetings per year, with the Leamington Novices’ Hurdle and Classic Chase in January, and the Kingmaker Novices’ Hurdle in February, the season’s highlights.

Wetherby Racecourse The imposing fences at Racecourse in West Yorkshire mean that only strong jumpers ever come away with any glory. Formerly only a National Hunt course, the first flat fixture took place in 2015. Front-runners tend to do well here. Races to look out for include the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase and Castleford, both held during the annual Christmas meeting.

Wincanton Racecourse

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A complete circuit of takes runners over nine high fences, including two open ditches. The biggest challenge comes on the home straight, with three fences located close to the short downhill finish. Notable races include the in January and Rising Stars Novices’ Chase in November. Both are famous for their frenetic unpredictability as the line approaches.

Wolverhampton Racecourse The combination of floodlights offering evening racing and an artificial Tapeta surface gives the feel of a North American racetrack. While the is far from , there’s excitement a plenty at this one-mile flat course. Punters’ favourites, the Lady Wulfruna Stakes and Lincoln Trial Stakes, take place each March in front of large crowds.

Worcester Racecourse Flat racing took place at from around 1718 until the mid-1960s. Since 1966, the course has hosted only National Hunt races. The circuit has nine average-sized fences before a 219-yard dash to the finish. Situated on the banks of the River Severn, Worcester suits strong jumpers, with frontrunners often keeping their noses ahead until the line.

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