Chepstow

Left-handed and undulating, Chepstow is a galloping oval track measuring nearly two miles around, with eleven fences to a circuit. The five-furlong home straight features five fences and is downhill in its early stages, while the 250-yard run-in also descends towards the finish.

Ground conditions have a major influence on how the course rides. On quicker going, Chepstow can be surprisingly sharp, but soft or heavy ground transforms it into a severe stamina test, with fields often becoming widely strung out. Horses with proven stamina are therefore particularly valuable when conditions deteriorate.

Front-runners and prominent racers generally perform well, especially over shorter distances, with those leading into the straight often difficult to catch. The fences are relatively fair, although the downhill approach to the final obstacle can encourage mistakes when travelling at speed. Overall, Chepstow demands balance over its undulations, accurate jumping and, in testing conditions, considerable reserves of stamina.