Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece, you’ll find my revised NH racecourse ratings—now complete and updated based on your feedback. Plus, I’ve taken a look at this afternoon’s Somerset National at Wincanton.
Jump racing made its return to Windsor last month after nearly 20 years and now plays a key role in the new Berkshire Winter Million meeting. The three-day event starts at Windsor on Friday, shifts to Ascot on Saturday, and concludes back at Windsor on Sunday.
Last week, I shared my unique ratings for UK jumps racecourses. However, a few glaring omissions were kindly pointed out by readers. I’ve taken your feedback on board and have updated the list—hopefully, it’s now complete and accurate.
Jumps Racecourses in Britain: A Revised List
Here’s my personal take on how the leading jumps racecourses rank based on race quality, atmosphere, and their role in the sport. You may not agree with all the ratings, but that’s what makes racing debates so much fun!
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.
Ascot – 95/100
Limited but elite jumps fixtures. Top-class horses and riders.
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.
Uttoxeter (78/100)
Uttoxeter holds steady, with the Midlands Grand National anchoring its place in my top 10 albeit just ahead of Wetherby.
Wetherby (77/100)
Wetherby rounds out my top 10. The Charlie Hall Chase remains its standout fixture, showcasing top-class staying chasers.
Mid-Tier Jumps Racecourses
Newcastle (75/100)
Hosts the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle, a key Champion Hurdle trial and the marathon Eider Chase.
Ayr (75/100)
Hosts the Scottish Grand National and April’s Scottish Grand National Festival provides high quality action.
Exeter (75/100)
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.
Doncaster (74/100)
Key fixtures like the Sky Bet Chase elevate Doncaster’s winter jumps season.
Chepstow (74/100)
The Welsh Grand National earns it a strong mid-tier ranking.
Wincanton (74/100)
The Kingwell Hurdle and Badger Beer Chase keep Wincanton competitive.
Market Rasen (73/100)
Shines brightest with its excellent summer jumping programme.
Cartmel (72/100)
Known for its unique layout and lively atmosphere, Cartmel is a fan favourite.
Kelso (72/100)
Improving quality and competitive fields make Kelso an enjoyable watch.
Perth (70/100)
Its spring and summer meetings add variety and quality to the jumps calendar.
Regional and Low-Tier Venues
Huntingdon (69/100)
The Grade 2 Peterborough Chase is its standout fixture on a fair, flat track.
Ffos Las (67/100)
Hosts good winter handicaps like the Welsh Champion Hurdle.
Musselburgh (67/100)
Dual-purpose venue with competitive races during the Scottish Cheltenham Trials Weekend.
Carlisle (66/100)
A stamina test and home to the Colin Parker Memorial Chase.
Plumpton (66/100)
The Sussex National adds intrigue to this sharp, quirky course.
Fontwell (66/100)
A figure-of-eight layout makes for tactical, albeit mostly moderate racing.
Taunton (65/100)
Known for its tactical racing and popular midweek meetings.
Ludlow (64/100)
Competitive midweek cards and a strong local following.
Worcester (64/100)
Summer jumping and novice events thrive on this flat, fair track.
Hexham (63/100)
A stamina test with well-supported regional meetings.
Newton Abbot (62/100)
Focused on summer jumps with decent novice races.
Bangor-on-Dee (62/100)
A rural track with reliable midweek handicaps.
Stratford (61/100)
Competitive summer handicaps but lacks standout quality.
Catterick (61/100)
Tight and sharp, catering to Northern trainers.
Fakenham (60/100)
Tight, sharp, and well-supported regional track.
Sedgefield (60/100)
Mostly low-grade racing with small fields.
Southwell (59/100)
Primarily known for all-weather racing; jumps fixtures lack quality.
Hereford (58/100)
A welcome return to the calendar, offering decent regional racing.
Leicester (56/100)
A challenging track in heavy conditions but offers little top-class action.
Lingfield (55/100)
Struggles for relevance in jumps racing after losing the Winter Millions.
I wouldn’t be surprised if as many as 12 of the UK’s jumps racecourses disappear over the next decade. For me, a few already stand out as likely candidates for the axe.”
What do you think? Do you agree with my rankings, or do you think your favourite course deserves a higher spot? Let me know!
Thursday Racing
Getting a profit out of last week’s limited action was a positive start, and now the focus is on building momentum as the month progresses.
Wincanton
Source: Racing Post.
Hinton Workspace Somerset National Handicap Chase (3:45)
This afternoon’s Somerset National at Wincanton looks a competitive renewal, with ten declared. Two progressive staying chasers, Katate Dori and King Turgeon, head the market, but there’s depth to the field.
Katate Dori
The upwardly mobile 7-year-old arrives unbeaten in two starts over fences, with his latest win at Chepstow just 11 days ago. He steps up in class here and carries a 5lb rise in the weights, but there’s plenty of room for improvement in his jumping. His stamina is assured, and he hails from a yard with a stellar 36% strike rate at Wincanton in the past five years (8-22). If he handles the likely better ground, he’s the one to beat.
King Turgeon
Top weight but proven at a higher level, King Turgeon boasts wins in the Grand Sefton at Aintree and a valuable Cheltenham handicap last time out. However, the handicapper has added another 6lb, and while he’s a class act, the handicapper may have caught up with him.
My Silver Lining
A tough and consistent mare who thrived in staying chases last season, including a win in Warwick's Classic Chase and solid placed efforts in the Grand National Trial and the Midlands Grand National. She pulled up on her first two starts this season but hinted at a revival when third at Hereford last time. First-time cheekpieces and an in-form yard make her a serious player.
Sizable Sam
A former course winner, Sizable Sam has been steadily working his way back after a 22-month layoff. He improved to finish third at Exeter last time and could be primed to step forward again. He’s on a fair mark but will need another step forward to win this.
Verdict
The improving Katate Dori ticks plenty of boxes and is taken to make it 3-3 over fences. My Silver Lining looks the main danger if the cheekpieces sharpen her up, while King Turgeon could find the weight concession tough but has the class to feature. Sizable Sam is well treated on old form and has each way claims.
In tomorrow’s column I’ll be looking at Friday’s action on the opening day of the Berkshire Winter Million.
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John