Equestrian


worth reassessing Kelso’s optimum use of the turf.” “Also, with regard to the welfare of the horse, we should constantly be asking ourselves whether or not our course design is still the most desirable, or if there is a need to modernise.” The new layout has increased flexibility of racing lines and siting hurdles considerably, and has also improved the consistency of the racing surface in the home straight and pull up area. It was introduced for the 2012-13 National Hunt season, and the practical advantages were immediately obvious. “By removing the need for by-passing space close to the winning post on the chase course, there is now additional fresh ground for the hurdle course on that important section of the track. Modern race programmes put so much extra pressure on hurdle courses which also stage regular National Hunt Flat races. In an average year, hurdle field sizes are much larger than on the chase course,” explains Hazel.


The dividing rail between the two tracks at the winning post now has more flexibility, with the removal of both the elbow and the chase fence in front of the stands which required by-passing space on its outer. Now there is an additional 15


metres of hurdle track width, which correlates to three extra meetings of fresh ground (with each requiring five metres). This also benefits spring fixtures and eases pressure on the irrigation regime. “We did not need to water before the start of the autumn season and, in spring, the need for irrigation should be less since it is often the more damaged ground that dries out first and requires watering to prevent it becoming too rough,” comments Hazel. “And, if we do have to irrigate, there will be less stress on the sward from the shock of cold water, as it is in better condition before we start.” The work has had a significant impact on the course presentation during the winter. “Wear and tear on the ground would historically have been irrelevant with only six or seven days racing a year, some of which were two-day meetings, allowing plenty of time for recovery between fixtures," Hazel comments. “However, we now have fourteen fixtures a year, so recovery needs to be much quicker and the project has really assisted us in this respect. The track repair team after racedays immediately noticed the difference.” There were also changes to the fence layouts: a chase fence was removed from


in front of the stands and the two open ditches were replaced by just one, which is now located as the first obstacle in the home straight, and has been re-orientated to head up the chase course rather than towards the former elbow. “This juggle of fences also means the chase course can now host a two mile five and a half furlong distance, which augurs well for those horses that need a trip between two and three miles, previously uncatered for at Kelso,” Hazel explains. The new layout has added excitement to the racing for the paying public, as the quality of jumping in the final stages of the race has been made more significant by bringing both the final flight of hurdles and chase fence closer to the winning post. There is also a horse welfare element to this, as Hazel explains: “The final flight and fence were previously two furlongs away from the winning post, and horses inevitably had a hard race as, after the last, they slogged it up the long finishing straight.” Parade ring walkways have all been upgraded to be fully non-slip, with a £12,000 investment in Stablesoft’s rubberised material which was laid in time for the 2012 season. “They look a great deal tidier as well as being much safer,” states Hazel.


“There was understandable resistance from traditionalists to changing a much-loved character trait such as the ‘elbow’, but we felt that, in the light of new pressures imposed on the track, it was worth reassessing our use of turf”


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