Diamond Geezer
Gone But Not Forgotten
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- May 2, 2003
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Further news emerged over the weekend following the media briefing at Cheltenham Racecourse on Thursday regarding their planned redevelopment.
As of 2016 Cheltenham Racecourse will become a right handed track. Simon Claisse, Director of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Prestbury Park, explained “Part of racing that race goers seldom see is the start of a race and this gives us the opportunity to situate some of the starts in front of the Best Mate enclosure with the horses running towards the main stand before sweeping downhill and over the first obstacle. The winning post will be situated two hundred yards further down the hill from its present position on what used to be the old course and opposite the new entrance and exit to the racecourse proper enabling box holders, owners, trainers, racecourse members and our other paying customers in the main stand as well as the new stand to watch both starts and finishes of races at close hand. At the Festival and the Paddy Power Open Meeting winning jockeys will be instructed to walk back in front of both stands and down the all weather strip as before to enable race goers more opportunity to show appreciation to the winning horse and jockey. Whilst the renowned Cheltenham hill was previously the scene of many epic finishes, the right handed course will put more emphasis on stamina with the horse running uphill to the back straight and covering more undulating ground before speed comes into play to produce even more exciting finishes on the new downhill finish. The cross country course will be modified and will be entirely self contained within the middle of the course.”
Ian Renton, Cheltenham and the South West regional director of Jockey Club Racecourses, added “This is the first of many innovative changes the directors of Cheltenham Racecourse have planned for the track and in conjunction with the redevelopment of the facilities will ensure our racecourse remains at the forefront of racing on a worldwide stage whilst improving the racing experience for our customers.”
As of 2016 Cheltenham Racecourse will become a right handed track. Simon Claisse, Director of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Prestbury Park, explained “Part of racing that race goers seldom see is the start of a race and this gives us the opportunity to situate some of the starts in front of the Best Mate enclosure with the horses running towards the main stand before sweeping downhill and over the first obstacle. The winning post will be situated two hundred yards further down the hill from its present position on what used to be the old course and opposite the new entrance and exit to the racecourse proper enabling box holders, owners, trainers, racecourse members and our other paying customers in the main stand as well as the new stand to watch both starts and finishes of races at close hand. At the Festival and the Paddy Power Open Meeting winning jockeys will be instructed to walk back in front of both stands and down the all weather strip as before to enable race goers more opportunity to show appreciation to the winning horse and jockey. Whilst the renowned Cheltenham hill was previously the scene of many epic finishes, the right handed course will put more emphasis on stamina with the horse running uphill to the back straight and covering more undulating ground before speed comes into play to produce even more exciting finishes on the new downhill finish. The cross country course will be modified and will be entirely self contained within the middle of the course.”
Ian Renton, Cheltenham and the South West regional director of Jockey Club Racecourses, added “This is the first of many innovative changes the directors of Cheltenham Racecourse have planned for the track and in conjunction with the redevelopment of the facilities will ensure our racecourse remains at the forefront of racing on a worldwide stage whilst improving the racing experience for our customers.”
