Freakish goings on in Newmarket with Limekilns available in November

Trainers in Newmarket are enjoying the luxury autumn bonus of being able to use the famous Limekilns dry-weather training grounds for the first time ever in November.

The pristine facility, which features the famous Trial Ground where many champions including Frankel have been prepared, is usually mothballed by the end of September but remains open this year as Jockey Club Estates complete refurbishments to the canters on Warren Hill.

The Limekilns: not usually an autumn venue

Due to the freak summer, the Limekilns is in top order as during June and July, when its chalk-based turf is usually in most demand, the mile-long site did not see a hoofprint as even its cushioned grass was too firm as temperatures soared.