Originally Posted by Flybywyre
Yes there is, you are already on an extended base leg (almost) so what's wrong with joining base leg ? (assuming it is not unduly busy)
Very little time to assimilate airfield activity compatred to the downwind join. You don't know how busy it is because the gliders, and tugs if they are there, will be operating non-radio.
Downwind is the safer option when arriving at "mixed mode" sites.