Philip Hall's Course Notes

A superb location five minutes from the M25 encourages raiders from outside of the Area, and indeed there have been some successful forays over the years. However, it is quite a unique course and a bit of local knowledge can be a useful thing.

Set in beautiful Surrey Parkland, the course is just over a mile in length. Good old fashioned, long standing turf, generally means the ground is consistent and can take a lot of rain.

The start was moved in 2007, and runners now start in a shute near to the paddock, with a slight incline to the first (this has had the impact of greatly reducing the climb to the first from pre 2007). The runners set off on their way to just under three circuits with all fences effectively being jumped three times.

Fences are up to size at 4' 6'', but with good spruce bellies on them, and as a result generally jump well. The Ditch comes at fence 3 well out into the country, and generally produces little carnage. The fences to watch out for are fences 7/13 which is approached on a slight downhill gradient and can catch horses on their forehand (runs parallel to the aptly named Jackass Lane) , and the final two which can be a challenge for tired horses who can become unbalanced turning into the straight.

The undulations can prove a challenge from a riders perspective, in that making too much ground up the hills can use valuable energy, and few winners here come from too far off the pace. There is a short run from the last, and it is rarity to see a winner not be in command over the final obstacle.

The best spot for spectators is either by the start (you can scurry across to fences 7 / 13 as they come round on their first and final circuit) which gets you close to the action and as good a viewpoint as any, and very much recommended for newcomers to the sport.

The alternative is by the exit from the paddock which the horses take on their way to the start - this allows you to see well out into the country, and then you can walk to the home straight to see the closing stages.