Opening of Great Leighs course delayed
Officials at Great Leighs have had to hand back a further seven fixtures as the opening of the new racecourse has been delayed again.
The Essex track was initially due to open in October 2006 but a serious of hold-ups have dogged the track over the last 18 months.
An opening meeting had been pencilled in for February 24 but that has now been put back to March 18 following a visit from the British Horseracing Authority Inspectorate on Friday.
BHA communications manager Will Lambe said: “We are certainly nearing the finishing line, but our inspectorate was unable to sign off the track and key integrity facilities following its visit to Great Leighs this morning.
“Progress continues to be made, and rather than stick rigidly to a monthly schedule, the next formal inspection will take place on Monday, January 21, with a view to Great Leighs’ first fixture hopefully taking place on Tuesday, 18 March.
“The completion of the laying of the Polytrack surface and installation of some of the necessary integrity facilities are among the outstanding issues.
“A further seven fixtures have been handed back to the British Horseracing Authority, which will be auctioned online on Monday, as per our usual procedures.”
When Great Leighs does eventually open, it will be the first new racecourse in Britain for over 80 years and will boast a floodlit all-weather circuit.
The returned fixtures are February, 24, 28 and 29 as well as those on March 3, 6, 8 and 13.
