Horse Racing - National Hunt Courses - Musselburgh

Racing has taken place at the Scottish course since 1816 and Musselburgh stages racing under both codes during the year. Due to its location close to the coast, the track has a reputation of beating harsh weather during cold snaps when other meetings are abandoned.



In recent years Musselburgh has successfully established Scottish Trials day ahead of the Cheltenham Festival. The meeting comprises of a mix of novice races and handicaps with the feature races being the Triumph Hurdle Trial and Scottish County Hurdle.

Characteristics

A right-handed oval track a little over a mile and a quarter in extent, almost flat with sharp bends, favouring handy types as opposed to gallopers. A polytrack strip was installed on the bend running away from the stands towards the end of 2012 in order to protect ground which tended to get worn and bare due to overuse. There are eight fences (four in each straight) or six flights of hurdles (three in each straight nowadays) to a circuit. The two-mile start is on a spur on the last bend.

Right handed
Tight
Flat

Fontwell (chase)
Kempton
Perth
Wincanton