Al Bahathri gallop at Newmarket re opens after resurfacing with Martin Collins Polytrack

The Al Bahathri Polytrack gallop in Newmarket has reopened following the completion of a £500,000 refurbishment scheme by the Martin Collins team.

The mile-long facility was the first all-weather Polytrack gallop to be laid at headquarters when installed in 1985 and has been used for routine preparation by all the big trainers over the years, such as Sir Henry Cecil, Sir Michael Stoute and John Gosden, and Godolphin's handlers.

The facility was closed at the end of October to carry out the works which were to level off a dip near the six-furlong pole which required 2,000 tons of soil to be shipped in to level this area. In addition, the whole gallop was resurfaced and is used by as many as 1,000 horses on some days.

The works ran to schedule and trainers, jockeys and owners alike are delighted in the surface.