Great Leighs’ fixturebid refused

Great Leighs’ application to be given fixtures in 2013 has been turned down by the British Horseracing Authority.

The racecourse, near Chelmsford in Essex, was the first new track to open in Britain for 81 years but only lasted for a few months before going into administration in January 2009.

Now under different ownership, there had been hopes towards the end of last year that it could make a return.