Lingfield

Left-handed and undulating, Lingfield is generally a sharp track when conditions are good, with tactical speed and track position particularly important. Being handily placed entering the straight can prove a significant advantage, especially over fences, where horses travelling strongly can be difficult to peg back.

The character of the course changes considerably when the ground becomes soft or heavy, as it frequently does during winter. Conditions can become extremely testing, particularly along the back straight, where deep ground can make the fences ride more demanding than usual. Lingfield is particularly susceptible to wet weather and has historically suffered a high number of abandoned jumps fixtures.

The fences themselves are generally straightforward and have produced a relatively low casualty rate. While less undulating than Lingfield’s Flat course, there are still enough rises and falls to provide a fair test. Overall, Lingfield favours handy, fluent travellers on quicker ground, while stamina and an ability to handle testing conditions become essential when the ground deteriorates.