ANDOVERSFORD
THE KENNELS – 6 MILES EAST OF CHELTENHAM,
NEAR JUNCTION OF A40 AND A436
POSTCODE (SAT NAV) – GL54 4LQ

COTSWOLD
SUNDAY 15TH APRIL
FIRST RACE – 2 P.M.

COTSWOLD VALE FARMERS
SUNDAY 21ST APRIL
FIRST RACE – 2-30 P.M.

FENCES PER CIRCUIT – 9
COURSE LENGTH – JUST OVER 2 CIRCUITS
TOTAL NUMBER OF FENCES – 19
COURSE OPENED – 1960
YEARS USED – 52
IRRIGATION FACILITIES – NO
COURSE DESCRIPTION – RIGHT HANDED

Times change and Andoversford back in the 1960’s and 1970’s used to attract runners from all over the country for their evening fixtures, but these appear to have fallen out of fashion in recent years.

The start is situated in a small shute at the beginning of the home straight before the runners meet the course proper and negotiate their first obstacle. There is a slight uphill run to the second fence which is situated just after the finish and then a steady climb to the third fence at the top of the hill.

From here the runners bear right and race downhill and up the other side where they face their fourth fence and the first open ditch.

Soon afterwards the course bears right and the runners face the three fences in the back straight, where the fence at the bottom of the hill can catch out tired horses. The course then goes into a long sweeping uphill right hand bend where the course level out momentarily where they negotiate the 9th fence.

There is then a long steady climb into the home straight where they straighten up for the 10th fence and go out onto their second circuit.

Races can be won or lost on this final bend where horses that run wide generally lose any advantage they have gained on the climb to the finish.

The course is also very wide at the finish which does not help the judge carry out his duties and it has been suggested in the past that his wagon is placed on the outside of the course rather than the inner.