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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Greg Wood

Justin Timberlake’s walk-on part back in spotlight as Chelmsford faces closure fears

Runners and riders turn for the home straight at Chelmsford City racecourse
The US-style oval mile at Chelmsford City is a fair, galloping track with wide bends. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

The oft-troubled history of Chelmsford City racecourse in Essex took its latest turn for the worse on Wednesday when the track lost its licence to host fixtures. This means the cancellation of scheduled meetings including the lucrative Good Friday fixture and putting the long-term future of the venue in serious doubt.

There have been enough twists in the Chelmsford saga that Justin Timberlake’s apparent walk-on part in the latest chapter is just one more to add to the list. The singer’s concert at the track on 4 July 2025 led to chaotic scenes when 25,000 fans left afterwards, forcing some to queue for up to four hours and others to abandon their cars and walk along the nearby A131 dual carriageway.

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