No resting on its laurels for Warwick Racecourse

The Jockey Club racecourse has announced a programme of works to improve the racing surface as well as refurbishing fences as it looks ahead to the start of the new season on September 20.

The works come after an encouraging season at Warwick Racecourse which included 11 fixtures this year and culminated in the inaugural Warwick May Racing Carnival, linking three spring meetings.

More than 10,000 visitors attended the Wonderful Warwick Family Raceday, the Proudly Warwick Raceday and the Think Pink Warwick Ladies Day.

Attendance increased by 18 per cent on the previous year, with hospitality numbers up by as much as 35 per cent.

The latest improvement works include the continued integration of the old flat track with the existing National Hunt course.

A 500m section of track will be drained and levelled to allow more flexibility in the placing of rails and improve the racing surface.

In addition, a rolling programme of fence refurbishment has begun, with the final three fences in the back straight being targeted this summer.

The fences will be completely rebuilt and will have the ability to be extended 12ft when the outer hurdle track is in use, giving the availability of more running lines on the Steeplechase track.

The work has just begun and is expected to be completed within around six weeks, with a view to the ground being recovered in time for the opening fixture of the new season.

Clerk of the course Jane Hedley said: “We have had fantastic support from trainers throughout the 2015/2016 season and we are delighted to be in a position to further improve our track and racing surface, thanks to continued investment from Jockey Club Racecourses.”