Aldington

PETE MERCER'S COURSE NOTES

Aldington is assisted by a natural bank alongside the track, running from just before the start to just after the finish - which makes it a good viewing course from which nearly all the race can be seen.

Runners start on an uphill incline until just after the finishing line. There is then a short steep downhill drop which is also on a left hand turn. Hard pullers often get their way at this point. At the May meeting a damp top on a hard ground can also make this part of the course very slippery.

The back straight is level and usually with a good covering of grass. The sharp left turn after the Open Ditch is also on a slight camber in the wrong direction. This used to cause problems in the past but the bends have been eased to make it safer.

The next fence is in the middle of a short but steep incline. Shortly afterwards the ground runs away downhill with firmer ground on the outside. The next two fences are on the flatter parts of the downwards journey, although it does steepen almost immediately after the second last - which can cause problems to any horse that doesn't jump it cleanly.

The course then turns left which gives an advantage to the horse on the inside and then the race over the last and to the finish is on a steady incline.