Horse racing analysis: Timeform's fastest and slowest five-furlong tracks

Bataash was an outstanding five-furlong sprinter. He won four consecutive editions of the King George Stakes and lowered his own course record at York in 55.62 seconds. Battaash won just once at Ascot. He did win the Kings Stand Stake at the third attempt in 2020.

Bataash's best performances in Britain came at Goodwood and York. The five-furlong track at Ascot doesn't play to the strengths of the out-and-out speedsters. Timeform's standard time for five furlongs at the Ascott is around three seconds slower than at Goodwoods and two and a half seconds faster than York's.

The five-furlong tracks at Goodwood, York and Epsom are the fastest in the world. Brighton ranks second with a standard time a second slower than at Epsum. Ffos Las, Redcar and Lingfield complete the top five among the quickest five furlongs in Britain. The tracks don't stage any Group races so the best sprinters can't compete at the faster courses.

Bataash was supposed to run a 5-furlong race at Epsom in 2019. The idea never came to fruition. The Dash Handicap is one of the most exciting races in British Flat racing.

Beverley has the slowest five-furlong track in Britain. Pontefract has second-slowest track followed by Ascot and then Sandown. Chester's standard time is four seconds slower than at Epsom. The emphasis is still on early speed at Chester.

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