RacingBetter News
	Friday 2nd October 2020

Leicester Racecourse Overview And History

Leicester racecourse will host two races on Tuesday 6th October, as the small town of Oadby continues its long tradition of hosting racing events. Meets have taken place at the racecourse ever since 1773, with meetings of both national hunt and flat racing taking place at the venue.

For those unaware of the course’s shape, the track is a two-mile oval-shaped track that has a run-in of four and a half furlongs. However, the final three furlongs can be the true test for the horses and jockeys in each race, as it is on a field that gradually climbs and gets a little steeper following a grueling two-mile slog.

One of the great things about the Leicester track that sets it apart from its rivals, is that it is an All-Weather track that has the purpose of hosting both the flat and fences. For Tuesday’s action, though, there will be a combination of the straight course, as well as the Oval-shaped course to be used as races on the day will vary in distance.

The straight course can host flat races of up to one mile (or 8 furlongs), and it adjoins the 1m6f round track. It could be said that because of the ground conditions, the Leicester track could be more suited to those who prefer a sound racing surface. Interestingly, those horses that have been given a higher number (in races with more than 20) tend to do better, with many runners going for horses that are drawn 11 or above. This is something that needs to be considered for all bettors, including those horse racing betting odds previews that are so important to follow.

Leicester is a hugely popular racing venue and is one that hosts plenty of different racecard fixtures across the year, with over 30 different race meetings being held annually. Indeed, a listed event in the name of the Leicestershire Stakes is also held at the course in Oadby.

6th October 2020 Race Meetings

1:15 STOAT SELLING STAKES (Class 5) (3yo) Winner £3,429 15 runners 1m2f Good To Firm

1:45 BROCK HILL BADGER HANDICAP (Class 4) (3yo 0-85) Winner £5,208 22 runners 1m3f179y Good

2:20 SQUIRREL HANDICAP (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105) Winner £11,972 15 runners 1m3f179y Good

2:50 RACINGTV AUTUMN SPRINT HANDICAP (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105) Winner £11,972 13 runners 5f Good

3:20 RED DEER HANDICAP (Class 5) (3yo+ 0-70) Winner £3,429 45 runners 6f Good

3:50 BRITISH EBF DORMOUSE NOVICE STAKES (Class 5) (3yo+) Winner £4,399 34 runners 7f Good

4:20 LEVERET APPRENTICE HANDICAP (Class 5) (3yo+ 0-70) Winner £3,429 57 runners 7f Good

Top Trainers And Jockeys Have Used This Course As A Test Venue

Several of the leading flat trainers have used the course in the past to debut some of their best two year olds and to test the waters as to whether they are good enough to compete. One famous trainer to have used the course as a test venue has included Sir Michael Stoute.

A number of jockeys have had plenty of success at the racetrack as well, with the likes of Jamie Spencer and Ted Durcan having enjoyed some telling success.

Betting Tips and Things To Consider

Over the last five years, the favourite for the race has perhaps struggled to be the outright winner of the race, which could help to sway those that look to place a wager on the race. According to data collected since 2015, favourites in the Flat Non-Handicaps have won 39% of the time, whilst the favourite in the Flat Handicaps has won just 28% of the races.

There are also factors to consider in regards to the Leicester racecourse that bettors will need to be aware of when placing a wager on a particular horse.

Due to the nature of the course, if the ground becomes soft or heavy, the bend into the straight can cut up rather badly. This may then force jockeys to go towards the stands side, which may give them a slight advantage to those drawn high in the races of more than one mile (8 furlongs or more).

As mentioned earlier, the higher the draw, the more likely the chance of winning appears to have been proven over time. With those races run over 5f and 6f - when the racing conditions are considered good or better - the highest number has won a significant number of the races, which suggests that the bias does exist. Interestingly, stalls 1-3 do best out of the remainder of the field when 8 or more are competing, though.

Races that take place over 7f start on one of the narrowest parts of the Leicester racetrack, which can be an advantage to those in stalls that are claimed to be on the stand’s side. These horses will see the field in the centre of the course after ½ a furlong, therefore allowing jockeys to plot their route. Horses that are drawn on the rail, though, will need to try and work their way left to maintain their position, thus creating a little more work.