ORS Racing - Ascot Racecourse Guide

Ascot

Summary (for full review click link below)

Although Ascot is a dual purpose course, hosting both jump and flat racing, it is primarily known for its flat racing and in particular the Royal meeting in June. The course hosts racing every month of the year, apart from April.

Course Characteristics:

The "round" course is actually triangular in shape, with a chute hosting races up to a mile in length, although just to confuse matters some one mile races are run on the round course. The round course is about 1¾ miles long. Jump races take place exclusively on the round course, which is right handed (clockwise). The straight course is uphill nearly all the way, whilst the round course is basically downhill to the furthest point from where there is a steadily uphill rise to the finish. As part of the major redevelopment work at the course the track was re-aligned and re-laid. One significant change has been to the drainage. This means, in the winter, the course is not as demanding as it once was. However there have been some concerns expressed regarding uneven going with pronounced differences in different parts of the track.

The turn into the home straight has also been made more sweeping and this seems to be favouring front runners.

There is no discernable draw advantage, although some will say there is a stand side bias on the straight course, however in large field sprints where the pace is seems to have a greater impact.

The course is considered to be galloping in nature.

Admission (2010 prices):

Ascot generally operates a two or three enclosure policy, depending on the meeting.

The price guide for general meetings is as follows:-

Premier Enclosure £20 1- £45, General Enclosure £11 - £25 & Silver Ring £7. The opening flat meeting of the season on 28th April has free Grandstand Admission and £10 Premier admission.

For the Royal Meeting things change. The Premier enclosure becomes the Royal Enclosure which is effectively by invitation only.

For the General Enclosure advance admission prices are £47 (Tue and Wed), £66 (Thu), £55 (Fri) and £58 (Sat)

For the General Enclosure on the day prices are £56 (Tue and Wed), £66 (Thu), £64 (Fri) and £66 (Sat)

For the Silver Ring advance admission prices are £15 (Tue and Wed), £266 (Thu), £18 (Fri) and £20 (Sat)

For the Silver Ring on the day prices are £17 (Tue and Wed), £26 (Thu), £22 (Fri) and £26 (Sat)

Annual membership £300 (excludes the Royal meeting)

There is a dress code at Ascot, obviously the Royal Enclosure has a very strict code, however that shouldn’t concern the average racegoer. The General Enclosure dress regulations at the Royal meeting states “Ladies are required to dress in a manner appropriate to a smart occasion.Many wear hats, although this is not obligatory. Gentlemen are required to wear a shirt and tie, preferably with a suit or jacket. Sports attire, jeans and shorts are not permitted.”

At other meetings, for the Premier Enclosure a smart casual policy applies, with jacket and tie preferred. Jeans, T-shirts and sports attire, including football and rugby shirts, are not permitted. There is no dress code for the general enclosure, however bare chests are not allowed.

Location:

Located to the south west of London, Ascot is in easy reach of the motorway network situated between the M3 and M4 motorways. The course is well signposted from all the major approach routes with additional signage on race days. Even if you know the area well it is still advisable to follow the signposts, even if the route doesn’t appear to be immediately logical …. the routes are designed to ensure optimum traffic flow.

Ease of public transport access: Good (Ascot station is a seven minute walk away)

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Suitability for the first time racegoer: very good (unsuitable at the Royal meeting)

Race Meetings 2010

Jumps:
October 30th
November 19th & 20th
December 17th & 18th

Flat:
September 24th , 25th & 26th
October 9th

Last Reviewed: July 2010

Web Site:www.ascot.co.uk/

Telephone: 08707 227 227

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