MUSSELBURGH

Right handed, sharp. The turns at the top end of the course are particularly sharp, so the adaptability to negotiate the bends is of paramount importance. Big, long-striding, cumbersome horses are at a disadvantage on the round track, especially at races at up to nine furlongs. On the straight course the fields typically race towards the stand rail. The course is one of best draining in the country, conditions rarely on the testing side.

A right-handed oval track a little over a mile and a quarter in extent, almost flat with sharp bends, favouring handy types as opposed to gallopers, especially as it's a quick-draining course that tends to produce less testing ground than most tracks in midwinter. A polytrack strip was installed on the bend running away from the stands towards the end of 2012 in order to protect ground which tended to get worn and bare due to overuse. The two-mile start is on a spur on the last bend. There are eight fences (four in each straight) to a circuit and, whilst not stiff, they do claim more casualties than might be expected, a lot of the handicaps catering for low-graders.