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Weekly Horse Racing Blog: Racecourses in Tiers / Weekend Wrap



And They’re Off!

When Uncle Boris announced last week what the new Tier system would be for England there was a collective sigh of relief from some of the country’s beleaguered racecourses who can now let a limited number of racegoers through their gates.

It materialised that 35 racecourses would fall into Tier 2 regions, allowing for up to 2,000 spectators to attend. 16 racecourses remain in Tier 3 regions meaning that only owners can attend as they did before. (Full Tier list is below)

Unfortunately for Scotland and Wales their racecourses remain behind closed doors but there are conversations going on with the devolved Governments to push for a safe return of spectators.


Further Review

A further review of the Tier system in England will take place by Wednesday 16th December but it is not thought this will bring about any changes on this occasion.

The Tier system however is not without its flaws and it has caused some absolutely farcical scenarios for many horse racing fans.

Take Haydock Park for example. Haydock is a course that sits right on a district border. It officially falls under the jurisdiction of St Helen’s Council (Merseyside Tier 2) but as you may or may not know, at the racecourse entrance if you turn right into Ashton-in-Makerfield, you are within the Wigan Council (Greater Manchester Tier 3) region, whilst turn left and you’re in Haydock itself and you’re under St Helens.

Naturally there are a lot of very peeved locals on the Gtr Manchester side of the track, many of whom are annual members at Haydock, who simply are not allowed to attend because of these “rules”.

It’s all rather galling for the people who live just around the corner when they see examples of people driving all the way up from London (Tier 2) and they are given unfettered access.

They have all my sympathy, especially after waiting all this time to get back on a racecourse.


Tier 2 Racecourses

AINTREE, ASCOT, BATH, BRIGHTON, CARLISLE, CARTMEL, CATTERICK, CHELMSFORD CITY, CHELTENHAM, CHESTER, EPSOM DOWNS, EXETER, FAKENHAM, FONTWELL PARK, GOODWOOD, HAYDOCK PARK, HEREFORD, HUNTINGDON, KEMPTON PARK, LINGFIELD PARK, LUDLOW, NEWBURY, NEWMARKET, NEWTON ABBOT, PLUMPTON, RIPON, SALISBURY, SANDOWN PARK, TAUNTON, THIRSK, WINCANTON, WINDSOR, WORCESTER, YARMOUTH, YORK.

Tier 3 Racecourses

BEVERLEY, DONCASTER, HEXHAM, LEICESTER. MARKET RASEN, NEWCASTLE, NOTTINGHAM, PONTEFRACT, REDCAR, SEDGEFIELD, SOUTHWELL, STRATFORD, UTTOXETER, WARWICK, WETHERBY, WOLVERHAMPTON.


Weekend Wrap

Newbury’s Winter Carnival provided us with lots of great races and pointers going forward so here is a brief round-up of the two days:

Whilst Flinteur Sacre flopped, Dan Skelton’s My Drogo capitalised by taking the opening Maiden Hurdle. Ladbrokes introduced him at 33/1 for the Supreme Novices Hurdle and 25/1 for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle after the race.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame was installed at just 16/1 for the Ballymore by Ladbrokes but as big as 25/1 by Paddy Power after winning the Novices’ Hurdle.

Thyme Hill fought off Paisley Park to take the Long Distance Hurdle and is now a general 11/2 poke for the Stayers’ Hurdle at The Festival.

Caribean Boy is quoted at 8/1 for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham after lowering the colours of Fiddlerontheroof.

Cloth Cap ran his rivals ragged in the Ladbrokes Trophy and looks a Grand National contender now (25/1 generally), joining a long list of many over the years for owner Trevor Hemmings.

Next Destination was cut to 12/1 from 20/1 for the race formerly known as the RSA Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham after scoring on his debut over fences.


Newcastle Review

10/1 chance Getaround gave trainer Ella Pickard the biggest win of her career to date when coming home victorious in “The French Furze” Novices’ Hurdle.

Epatante, the reigning champion hurdler, was a comfortable winner of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and looks to be the horse to beat again next March. He is now the 6/4 favourite (from 11/4) for the Champion Hurdle with Ladbrokes.

Multiple Grade One winner Yorkhill rolled back the years to register a shock 66/1 victory in the Rehearsal Chase for Borders trainer Sandy Thomson. Yorkhill was introduced into the Grand National betting as a 50/1 chance by most bookmakers.


Over in Ireland

All these horses have to be taken out of the weekend’ racing in Ireland as future big race winners…

  • Monkfish
  • Hook Up
  • Keskonrisk
  • Zanahiyr
  • Ballyadam
  • Envoi Allen
  • Honeysuckle