AW Polytrack: left-handed, two generous, sweeping 2f bends and two roughly 2f straights; chutes for 7f, 1m and 2m starts.
Background Info:
Great Leighs is the newest of Britain's five all-weather tracks which, after a lengthy delay, eventually opened for business in April 2007. It's wide, sweeping bends and the quality of its surface has received unanimous approval from trainers and jockeys alike, although its infrastructure still has room for improvement.
After the success of their Breeders' Cup Trial meeting last September, when Aidan O'Brien's multiple Group 1 winner Duke Of Marmalade was a possible runner until the final declaration stage, the course has set its sights on staging better quality racing than what we are accustomed to on the all-weather.
Track Bias:
The track doesn't seem to favour any particular type of horse, although the handier type with tactical speed and ability to take a prominent position are always going to be favoured over the longer-striding types. Horses can win against the inside rail, a couple of widths off the rail, or down the centre.
Draw Bias:
A very fair track with little or no draw bias, apart from over 5f, where those who have made the running or sat handy from a middle-to-low draw have held a big advantage over those drawn high or those attempting to come from behind. Over 6f, a high draw has been no barrier to success.
Key Players:
Gary Moore is a trainer to be reckoned with on the all-weather, and his runners at Great Leighs win nearly 30% of the time. Tom Dascombe (27%) and Willie Muir (22%) can also be followed with some confidence. Neil Callan, one of the strongest and most tactically astute jockeys, has impressed here, while George Baker has a healthy 18% strike rate with all his rides.
Inside Info:
Check out Tom Dascombe's website for his latest stats and entries: http://www.onewayracing.co.uk/
Make It Pay:
George Baker has a 30% strike rate when riding for George Moore.
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