Stratford-on-Avon
Left handed, sharp; the high number of falls/unseats in recent years is due to the size of the fences and the fact that so many races are well run. A water jump was introduced near the winning post in March 2008, although this is not jumped on the final circuit. The hurdles track also has more than the normal number of well-run races, jockeys often opting to strike for home sooner than normal because of the relatively short straight.
A speed-orientated track, where things happen quickly and the jockeys normally get racing a fair way out. Normally, quick ground accentuates the track’s key elements, and the fences can become quite tricky for some horses. Its suits ex-flat horses here, who are quick over their obstacles and can quicken readily as and when required to do so. The water jump right in front of the stands provides a bit of a spectacle for racegoers, but jocks have to be mindful of bypassing it on the final circuit when it doesn’t get jumped.