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The first priority of the Cheltenham racecourse has always been to provide the best possible racing conditions for the horses that compete here. This includes providing the best underfoot conditions on the track all year round.
In keeping with these ideals, the track at Cheltenham was marked to be upgraded and expanded by September of 2002. These upgrades were to include a larger area to use throughout the racing season with the new course widened to increase the surface of the track by 10%, or an extra 5 acres of space. The work for this expansion included the removal of a large embankment at the two-mile start and excavating more then 18,000 metres of soil to give extra room for the construction of an extension to the track, a new canterdown and a service road. Removing the embankment around the reservoir allowed for these extensions. The course was widened by 50% opposite the main stands, reclaiming an area of the Courage Best Enclosure and turning it back to a turf area. The drainage of the track was designed to integrate with the existing drainage systems and to enhance the functions of this drainage and to provide the best possible solution for the existing tack and the upgraded areas of the track. In conjunction with other less visible enhancements these upgrades have produced fresh ground for the third and probably forth day of the running of The Festival. This is the single largest investment in improvements for the Cheltenham Race Course since the 1960's and prove the commitment of the racing club to the future success of National Hunt Racing. |
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