Catsfield

PETE MERCER'S COURSE NOTES

Bexhill is shaped not dissimilar to a dogs bone.

The runners start at the start of the straight bit of the home straight (if that makes sense?). There is a slight incline to the first fence. The ground then stays fairly level over the next two fences. Uphill then past the finish line to the top part of the course behind the car park. Rain on top of firm going can make this 180 degree bend very greasy.

Back into sight, picking up speed downhill and into the 'back straight'. Three fences on the level and then the last in the back straight is on a slight downhill slope. Down a little bit into a slight dip and then the runners start the uphill turn and the last fence on the first circuit is at the top of the hill as the horses are back pointing towards the finish. Then downhill and back past the start.

Spectators generally fall into two categories - those who stay in or beside the car park by the finish and have a panoramic view of the course or those who like to be close to the action and keep oscillating across the thirty yard gap between the two straights.