Hi all,
With jump racing continuing to take a hit from the weather, today’s main piece offers something a bit different.
Weather Woes Persist, But Hope on the Horizon for Jump Racing
There’s no jump racing on either side of the Irish Sea on Friday, and Warwick’s Premier Raceday has joined Wetherby on the abandoned list for Saturday. However, there’s still hope for action at Kempton and Fairyhouse on Saturday and now Ffos Las.
Unbelievably, the BHA have responded well by scheduling an additional fixture at Ffos Las on Saturday, where its currently raceable. Notably, the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase, originally slated for Wetherby, has been relocated to Ffos Las, ensuring this key race still takes place, albeit at a new venue.
ITV Racing has also adapted quickly to the disruption, updating their Saturday coverage to reflect the changes following Warwick’s and Wetherby’s cancellations.
Here’s ITV Racing’s updated Saturday programme.
Source: Racing Post
Looking ahead, there’s reason for optimism. The forecast suggests a warm-up after the weekend, which should allow the jump racing schedule to get back on track. Fingers crossed!
Jumps Racecourses in Britain: Rankings
British jumps racing offers an incredible variety of racecourses, from the grandeur of Cheltenham and Aintree to the charm of smaller venues like Cartmel and Plumpton. Each course brings something unique, whether it’s the prestige of hosting iconic races or the challenge of testing horses and jockeys under tough conditions.
Here's my look at how the leading jumps racecourses rank based on race quality, atmosphere, and their role in the sport.
Top 10 Jumps Racecourses
Cheltenham (100/100)
Cheltenham remains the undisputed leader of jumps racing. With its iconic Festival and year-round quality, it’s the benchmark.
Aintree (98/100)
Home to the legendary Grand National, Aintree combines history, drama, and top-class Grade 1 action like the Aintree Hurdle.
Sandown (90/100)
The Tingle Creek and the bet365 Gold Cup headline a track known for testing horses' versatility with its mix of speed and stamina challenges.
Kempton (88/100)
The King George VI Chase at Christmas and competitive fields throughout the year ensure Kempton's position among the best.
Newbury (86/100)
High thanks to the Coral Gold Cup (formerly Hennessy) and Betfair Hurdle, key fixtures in the jumps calendar.
Warwick (82/100)
Warwick earns its place with the Classic Chase and its role as a proving ground for Cheltenham-bound horses.
Haydock (82/100)
Known for the Betfair Chase and gruelling winter conditions, Haydock has carved a niche for top-class staying chases.
Exeter (77/100)
One of the underrated racecourses but it’s one of the fairest of courses and the overall quality has increased in the last ten years.
Uttoxeter (76/100)
Uttoxeter holds steady, with the Midlands Grand National anchoring its place in my top 10 albeit just ahead of Wetherby.
Wetherby (76/100)
Wetherby rounds out my top 10. The Charlie Hall Chase remains its standout fixture, showcasing top-class staying chasers.
The Rest of the Jumps Racecourses
Doncaster (74): Doncaster moves up slightly, thanks to strong winter fixtures like the Sky Bet Chase.
Chepstow (74): The Welsh Grand National's prestige nudges Chepstow higher.
Market Rasen (74): A steady performer, Market Rasen shines during its good summer jumps programme.
Cartmel (72): Cartmel’s unique atmosphere and enthusiastic crowds deserve more recognition.
Kelso (70): Kelso is a course whose quality continues to improve and provides competitive fields.
Perth (70): Popular, Perth climbs slightly for its well-regarded spring and summer meetings.
Hexham (69): Tough conditions and a scenic location keep Hexham firmly on the map.
Fakenham (69): Compact and competitive, Fakenham is a steady performer but lacks marquee fixtures.
Bangor-on-Dee (67): This picturesque course delivers decent racing, even if its profile remains modest.
Huntingdon (66): Gains a few points for hosting the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase, which is the only race of note at the track.
Fontwell (65): Fontwell’s figure-eight track adds uniqueness, but it struggles to match bigger racecourses in terms of quality.
Plumpton (64): A solid performer, Plumpton continues to deliver entertaining, if low-key, racing.
Southwell (64): Better known for all-weather, Southwell offers reliable, if unremarkable, jumps action.
Ludlow (63): Ludlow stays steady, offering competitive fields but few high-profile races.
Sedgefield (62): Slightly higher for its Northern appeal and solid racing programme.
Stratford (61): Stratford has decent summer jumps fixtures, but they lack quality.
Summary
Cheltenham and Aintree sit firmly at the top, but other racecourses like Exeter, and Kelso have made strides, showcasing their importance to the jumps calendar. With each course offering its unique charm and challenges, there’s plenty for jumps fans to enjoy across Britain.
What do you think?
In tomorrow’s main piece I hope I’ll be back discussing action on the track.
Good luck with your Friday bets.
John
No Ayr? or things that bad at Scotland’s premier racecourse that it doesn’t rate a mention.
I think FFos Las was also missing, a Welsh racecourse built from mining waste into a decent little venue that surprisingly gets a mention for providing a meeting on Saturday
and Hereford and Wincanton…..how many more are missing and not a mention of ????
What No ‘Wincanton’ in my Opinion the Best Racecourse in Somerset, Out Do’s Taunton, with Hand-Stands & Atmosphere,People, Entertainment even Bradbury Rings P-P Is BETTER Than Taunton.
What No ‘Wincanton’ in my Opinion the Best Racecourse in Somerset, Out Do’s Taunton, with Hand-Stands, Atmosphere, the Local People, Entertainment even Bradbury Rings P-P Is BETTER Than Taunton.
Interesting observations in that list. Where do you think Ascot is ranked as a jumps track John ?