Left-handed racecourses are tracks where horses race anticlockwise around the bends, turning to their left. Britain has left-handed courses for Flat racing, National Hunt racing and all-weather racing, including Aintree, Cheltenham, Chester, Epsom, York and Wolverhampton.
Track direction can affect a horse’s performance, particularly when it has shown a consistent preference for turning or jumping one way. However, the direction of a course is only one part of its character. The sharpness of its bends, gradients, racing surface, finishing straight, and race distance can all influence the result.
A horse that performs well at one left-handed racecourse will not necessarily be suited by every other anticlockwise track.
What Is a Left-Handed Racecourse?
A left-handed racecourse is a track where horses travel anticlockwise around its bends. When viewed from above, the runners move in the opposite direction to the hands of a clock.
At a right-handed racecourse, horses travel clockwise and turn to their right.
The distinction matters most in races involving bends. A horse running over a straight five furlongs does not face the same directional test as one racing around a left-handed circuit, even if both races take place at the same venue.
Some racecourses also have separate Flat and jumps layouts. Always check the course being used for the individual race before assessing a horse’s record in one direction.
List of Left-Handed Flat Racecourses in Britain
The British Horseracing Authority’s published classification identifies the following 23 left-handed Flat-course entries.
| Racecourse | Main track characteristic |
|---|---|
| Ayr | Left-handed round course with a separate straight course |
| Bath | Left-handed, undulating turf course |
| Brighton | Left-handed course with a distinctive horseshoe-shaped layout |
| Catterick Bridge | Sharp, left-handed course |
| Chelmsford City | Left-handed all-weather course |
| Chepstow | Left-handed, undulating course |
| Chester | Very sharp, left-handed circuit |
| Doncaster | Broad, galloping left-handed course |
| Epsom Downs | Left-handed course with pronounced gradients and camber |
| Ffos Las | Left-handed, relatively level course |
| Great Yarmouth | Left-handed round course and straight course |
| Haydock Park | Left-handed course staging Flat and jumps racing |
| Lingfield Park | Left-handed all-weather course |
| Newbury | Left-handed, galloping course |
| Newcastle | Left-handed all-weather course with a straight mile |
| Nottingham | Left-handed course with a separate straight course |
| Pontefract | Left-handed, undulating course |
| Redcar | Left-handed round course and straight course |
| Southwell | Left-handed all-weather course |
| Thirsk | Left-handed round course and straight course |
| Wolverhampton | Left-handed all-weather course |
| York | Left-handed, galloping course |
The BHA list classifies Flat courses. It should not be used as a complete count of left-handed British racecourses because several venues stage jumps racing only.
It also does not mean that every race at these venues involves a left-handed bend. Straight-course races require a different assessment.
Famous Left-Handed Racecourses in Britain
Several of Britain’s best-known racing venues are left-handed, but they present very different tests. Comparing their layouts helps explain why a horse’s course-specific form can be more useful than a general record at anticlockwise tracks.
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree is a left-handed National Hunt venue in Merseyside, best known for hosting the Grand National.
The Grand National course has distinctive fences and a different configuration from Aintree’s Mildmay course. Both are left-handed, but a horse’s experience over one course should not be treated as equivalent to experience over the other.
Jumping technique, stamina and the ability to maintain a rhythm are particularly important when assessing runners for the Grand National. A horse that consistently jumps right may lose ground around a left-handed course, although its overall jumping record matters more than one isolated mistake.
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham is a left-handed National Hunt venue with undulating terrain and a demanding uphill finish.
Its Old Course and New Course provide different tests, despite sharing the same general direction. The distance, position of the obstacles and length of the run-in all affect how races develop.
A horse with strong Cheltenham form has demonstrated an ability to handle more than left-handed bends. It has also coped with the course’s gradients and the demands of its particular race.
When assessing a runner for the Cheltenham Festival, compare its previous performances on the relevant course and over a similar distance.
Chester Racecourse
Chester is a tight, left-handed Flat course with a short circuit and sharp bends.
Its layout places considerable importance on race position, especially over shorter distances. A horse drawn wide may have to use energy to obtain a favourable position or risk covering extra ground around the bends.
Chester is a useful example of why direction and course shape must be considered together. A horse that handles York’s sweeping left-handed bends may still struggle around Chester’s much sharper turns.
Our horse racing draw guide explains how starting position can affect a runner’s chance at courses where the first bend arrives quickly.
Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom Downs is a left-handed Flat course with pronounced undulations, cambers and the famous Tattenham Corner.
The course stages the Derby and the Oaks. Its unusual layout tests a horse’s balance as well as its ability to stay the distance.
A previous performance on a conventional left-handed oval provides limited evidence that a horse will handle Epsom. The downhill sections and camber create additional demands, particularly for inexperienced runners.
Course experience can be valuable, but the quality of a horse’s form and its suitability for the race distance remain central to the assessment.
York Racecourse
York is a broad, left-handed Flat course on the Knavesmire.
Its sweeping bends and long finishing straight create a different test from Chester. Horses have more room to build momentum, although race pace, draw and the position of the field can still influence individual contests.
York hosts major races including the Juddmonte International, Nunthorpe Stakes and Ebor Handicap.
A horse that has performed well at York may have demonstrated that it can handle a galloping left-handed course. That does not establish that it will be equally effective around a tighter circuit.
Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster is a left-handed, galloping course with a long straight mile.
It stages the St Leger and the Lincoln Handicap, along with other important Flat fixtures. Its broad layout differs considerably from sharper left-handed venues.
When comparing Doncaster form, check whether the previous race took place on the straight course or around a bend. A strong run over the straight mile does not provide direct evidence of a horse’s ability to negotiate left-handed turns.
Haydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park stages Flat and National Hunt racing on a left-handed course.
Ground conditions can be an important factor at Haydock, particularly during the jumps season. A horse’s previous course performance is most useful when the race distance and going are comparable.
A runner may handle the direction well but still struggle if it encounters significantly softer ground or a stronger pace than in its previous race.
Chepstow Racecourse
Chepstow is a left-handed venue staging Flat and National Hunt racing.
Its undulations and demanding finish can make stamina important, particularly in longer jumps races. Chepstow hosts the Welsh Grand National, which presents a substantial test when the ground is testing.
A horse’s left-handed record can support its case, but evidence that it stays the distance and handles the conditions is essential.
Left-Handed All-Weather Racecourses
Five British all-weather Flat venues appear in the BHA’s left-handed course classification: Chelmsford City, Lingfield Park, Newcastle, Southwell and Wolverhampton.
Kempton Park is the right-handed all-weather venue, so it should not be grouped with the five left-handed tracks.
All-weather courses also differ by surface and layout. A horse that performs well at one venue may not reproduce the same form at another.
Chelmsford City
Chelmsford City has a left-handed all-weather course.
Its bends and race distances make positioning relevant, particularly when runners have limited time to establish a position before turning. Check a horse’s previous course-and-distance form rather than relying solely on its all-weather record.
Lingfield Park
Lingfield Park has a left-handed all-weather Flat course and also stages turf racing.
Its all-weather layout presents a different test from its turf course. A horse’s Lingfield record should therefore be separated by surface and distance.
Newcastle
Newcastle stages all-weather Flat racing on a left-handed course that includes a straight mile.
Direction is relevant to races around the bends, but it is not the main consideration for a straight-course contest.
A horse’s record at Newcastle should be assessed by the exact distance and course used.
Southwell
Southwell has a left-handed all-weather course.
When reviewing older Southwell form, remember that the venue changed its all-weather racing surface from Fibresand to Tapeta. Performances on the former surface should not automatically be treated as equivalent to those on the current track.
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton has a left-handed all-weather course.
Its turning layout can make early position and the ability to negotiate bends efficiently important. A horse that repeatedly loses ground around the turns may be at a disadvantage, even if its overall all-weather form is strong.
Other Left-Handed National Hunt Racecourses
Britain has several left-handed jumps venues that do not appear in the BHA’s Flat-course list.
These include Bangor-on-Dee, Cartmel, Fakenham, Hexham, Kelso, Newcastle, Plumpton, Sedgefield, Stratford and Uttoxeter.
The courses vary considerably. A horse that handles one of them may face a very different test at another.
Bangor-on-Dee
Bangor-on-Dee is a left-handed National Hunt course in Wales.
Its relatively sharp layout makes race position and jumping rhythm important. A horse’s ability to travel smoothly around the bends may be relevant, particularly in a race with several prominent runners.
Cartmel
Cartmel is a left-handed jumps course in Cumbria with an unusual layout and a long run-in from the final fence.
Its configuration makes it difficult to compare directly with a conventional oval track. Horses need to handle the bends and maintain their effort through the closing stages.
Fakenham
Fakenham is a sharp, left-handed National Hunt course in Norfolk.
Its tight bends can place a premium on agility and efficient jumping. A horse that needs a long time to build momentum may face a different test here from one at a broad, galloping venue.
Hexham
Hexham is a left-handed jumps course with pronounced gradients.
Its undulating layout can make races demanding, particularly on testing ground. A horse’s stamina and ability to maintain its jumping rhythm are important alongside its directional preference.
Kelso
Kelso is a left-handed National Hunt venue in the Scottish Borders.
Its layout differs from the sharper circuits at Fakenham and Cartmel. Previous course form can be useful when a horse returns over a similar distance and on comparable ground.
Plumpton
Plumpton is a tight, left-handed jumps course in East Sussex.
Its bends and relatively short circuit can make positioning important. Horses that jump fluently and hold their place around the course may be suited by its layout.
Uttoxeter
Uttoxeter is a left-handed National Hunt course in Staffordshire.
It stages races over a range of distances, including staying contests. The course direction is one factor to consider, but a horse’s stamina and ability to cope with the ground can be more important in a strongly run long-distance race.
Are There Left-Handed Racecourses in Ireland?
Yes. Ireland has both left-handed and right-handed racecourses.
Irish tracks should be assessed individually because their layouts vary considerably. Direction alone does not establish whether a horse will handle a course’s bends, gradients or finishing straight.
When comparing British and Irish form, check the racecourse, distance, going and the type of race. A horse with strong left-handed form in Ireland may still need to prove itself on a very different British track.
Do Some Horses Prefer Left-Handed Racecourses?
Some horses appear to travel, balance or jump more comfortably in one direction.
A preference is most convincing when it is supported by repeated performances under comparable conditions. One good run at a left-handed course and one disappointing run at a right-handed course are not enough to establish a reliable pattern.
The horse may have faced different opposition, raced over an unsuitable distance or encountered ground it did not handle. Those factors need to be considered before attributing a change in performance to track direction.
A horse can also perform equally well in both directions. There is no reason to downgrade a runner solely because it has limited left-handed experience if its wider form suggests it has the ability and suitability for the race.
Why Left-Handed Direction Matters in Jump Racing
Direction can be particularly relevant when a horse repeatedly jumps to one side.
A horse that jumps left may lose less ground when racing around a left-handed course than when competing on a right-handed track. Conversely, a horse that consistently jumps right may be less comfortable when asked to race anticlockwise.
The pattern needs to be established from several jumps and races. A single mistake can result from an awkward approach, interference or a loss of concentration rather than a consistent directional tendency.
The shape and placement of the fences also matter. A horse may jump well at one left-handed course but struggle at another with different obstacles or a sharper layout.
Watch race replays where possible and compare the horse’s jumping with its previous performances.
Does Left-Handed Direction Matter in Flat Racing?
Track direction can influence a Flat horse’s balance and ability to maintain its position around bends.
It is most relevant in races where runners negotiate a substantial part of the circuit. Sharp tracks such as Chester place different demands on horses from galloping courses such as York.
Straight-course races require a separate assessment. A horse that wins a straight sprint at a left-handed venue has not necessarily demonstrated that it handles anticlockwise bends.
The draw and likely early pace can also affect how the race develops. A horse may be well suited to the course direction but still face a difficult task if it is drawn away from the preferred racing position.
How to Assess a Horse’s Left-Handed Course Form
Start with the horse’s record at today’s racecourse. Previous form over the same distance and on similar ground is usually more informative than a broad record at left-handed tracks.
Next, examine its performances at other anticlockwise courses. Look for repeated evidence that it travels comfortably around the bends or, in jumps racing, jumps more accurately in that direction.
Compare the tracks rather than treating them as interchangeable. Chester and York are both left-handed, but they present very different tests. The same applies to Cheltenham and Fakenham over jumps.
Check whether the horse’s previous performances involved bends. Straight-course results provide less evidence about directional preference.
Finally, assess the likely pace, opposition and current form. A horse may have an excellent left-handed record but still face a difficult race if it is out of form, unsuited by the ground or competing from a demanding handicap mark.
The wider British Racecourses directory provides individual track guides for comparing course layouts and racing conditions.
Are Left-Handed Racecourses More Difficult Than Right-Handed Courses?
Neither direction is inherently more difficult.
The demands of a race depend on the particular track and the horse competing on it. A sharp left-handed course can be difficult for a long-striding horse, while a galloping right-handed course may suit it better. Another horse may show the opposite preference.
Gradients, surface, bend configuration, race distance and the length of the finishing straight all influence the test.
A horse’s established form at the course is therefore more useful than a general assumption that one direction is easier or harder.
Left-Handed Racecourses FAQs
What does left-handed mean in horse racing?
Left-handed means horses race anticlockwise around the bends, turning to their left.
Is Cheltenham left-handed?
Yes. Cheltenham is a left-handed National Hunt racecourse. Its Old Course and New Course have different configurations, but both are left-handed.
Is Aintree left-handed?
Yes. Aintree is a left-handed jumps venue. The Grand National course and Mildmay course present different tests despite sharing the same direction.
Is Chester left-handed?
Yes. Chester is a very sharp, left-handed Flat course. Its tight bends make draw and race position particularly relevant in some races.
Is York left-handed?
Yes. York is a left-handed Flat course with broad bends and a long finishing straight.
Is Epsom left-handed?
Yes. Epsom Downs is left-handed, although its gradients, camber and unusual layout make it a distinctive test.
Is Ascot left-handed?
No. Ascot is a right-handed racecourse.
Is Kempton left-handed?
No. Kempton’s all-weather Flat course is right-handed, and the venue also stages right-handed jumps racing.
How many left-handed racecourses are there in Britain?
The BHA’s published Flat-course classification contains 23 left-handed entries.
Can a horse that jumps left benefit from a left-handed course?
It may be better suited by racing left-handed if it consistently jumps in that direction. Check several performances before treating the tendency as established, and assess its overall jumping ability and suitability for the race.
Summary
Left-handed racecourses are tracks where horses travel anticlockwise around the bends. Britain has a wide range of left-handed Flat, all-weather and National Hunt venues, from the sharp circuit at Chester to the galloping layout at York and the demanding jumps courses at Cheltenham and Aintree.
Track direction can help explain a horse’s performances, particularly when it consistently jumps or travels better one way. It should not be assessed in isolation.
The most useful evidence comes from a horse’s record at the same course, over a similar distance and in comparable conditions. Direction adds context, but the track layout, going, pace and quality of the opposition remain central to assessing its chance.
