The Course

Maisemore Park, near A417, 3 miles north west of Gloucester.

Postcode (Satnav) – GL2 8HX.

Fences per circuit – 7
Course length – 2 ½ circuits
Total number of fences – 18
Course opened – 1982
Irrigation facilities – yes
Course direction – left handed

Maisemore Park is a flat almost rectangular course adjacent to the River Severn. It has improved considerably in recent years with the erection of permanent paddock facilities and the clearance of trees and shrubs adjacent to the course, which used to affect viewing later in the season.

Running rails on the bends at each end of the course can be moved inwards or outwards to facilitate better ground and fences can also be moved across the breadth of the course.

The start is situated halfway down the back straight which means that runners have a short run before fence one while the next obstacle is situated at the end of the back straight.

The field then has a gradually left handed sweep into the home straight where they meet fences three and four before running past the winning post to meet fence five (open ditch) before taking another smooth left handed bend to meet fence six at the start of the back straight.

Fence seven is the second fence in the back straight after which the remaining runners go past the start and out on the remained of the course.

There’s a strong betting market, and it is possible to see the entire course from the Maisemore Park bank – the most natural of grandstands.

You are more than welcome to walk the course.