Key Characteristics
Chelmsford racecourse was originally opened in April 2008 under the name of Great Leighs, and in opening became the first new racecourse in the UK for over 80 years. Great Leighs was closed in January 2009 less than a year after opening. The course was re-opened in January 2015 as Chelmsford City racecourse. The actual track surface, and layout hasn’t changed. It is an all weather course and also has the benefit of floodlights.
The Chelmsford City surface is polytrack,but unlike the other polytrack courses, is a galloping track and most horses can act on it.
Draw Bias & Pace Analysis
There seems to be a strong bias towards front runners. In fact this bias is the greatest in the country over 5 furlongs because the stalls are only one furlong away from the first bend; so getting away quickly and being up with the pace is very important.
The bias exists up to one mile.
It appears to be something to do with the fact that there is a lot of kick back at Chelmsford and this makes life unpleasant for horses in the rear who are trying to come from behind.
Over the marathon distances the bias doesn’t exist as much although over 1 mile 5 furlongs horses who are handy are strongly favoured.
Trainers & Jockeys
Trainers
| Saed bin Suroor | 35.1 |
| William Haggas | 27.5 |
| John Gosden | 19.6 |
| David Simcock | 18.8 |
| S C Williams | 15.8 |
| Mark Johnston | 15.7 |
| Jamie Osborne | 15.0 |
Jockeys
| Ryan Moore | 40.2 |
| James Doyle | 27.4 |
| Jim Crowley | 21.4 |
| Martin Lane | 18.2 |
| Adam Kirby | 17.5 |
| Oisin Murphy | 17.3 |
| Silvestre De Sousa | 17.2 |
| Martin Harley | 14.7 |
