Today's UK Horse Racing Overview – Thursday, 16 July 2026

Thursday brings a cracking spread of UK horse racing today, with five racecourses hosting 33 races across both codes. The afternoon kicks off with a trio of daytime meetings at Fontwell Park, Taunton and Cartmel, before the evening cards get underway at Epsom Downs and Wolverhampton. Whether you're a flat racing devotee or a jumping enthusiast, there is something to sink your teeth into from 13:40 right through to the final fence at Wolverhampton. Grab a coffee, settle in, and let PaddockPunter guide you through every meeting.

Afternoon Flat Racing: Fontwell Park, Taunton and Cartmel

Fontwell Park Racecourse – First Race 13:40

Fontwell Park heads up the afternoon action with seven races on a Good to Firm, Good in Places surface – conditions that should suit the speedier, more athletic types. The going is on the quick side, so connections with horses that prefer cut underfoot may be tempted to sidestep. The top prize on offer is £30,000, making this comfortably the richest meeting of the day.

The standout contest is The British Stallions Studs EBF Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 4), which doubles as a Hamilton Park 2-y-o Series Qualifier. Nurseries always throw up competitive puzzles with the weights, but the EBF qualifier status adds prestige and is likely to attract some well-bred juveniles worth following into the backend of the season. Keep an eye on The Alex McWilliams Memorial Celebrations Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 5) too – a GBB Race for horses in Bands B, C and D, which often surfaces unexposed types with a bright future. Don't miss our full Fontwell Park Preview for today's race-by-race analysis.

Taunton Racecourse – First Race 13:53

Just thirteen minutes after Fontwell's opener, Taunton gets underway with six races on similarly quick ground – Good to Firm, Good in Places. The top prize here is £9,000, and while the prize money is modest, the quality of racing is anything but predictable. Taunton has a knack for producing competitive handicaps and maiden contests that reward thorough homework.

The Best Ticket Deals Online @thirskraces Book Now Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Class 5) is a GBB Race for fillies in Bands C and D – a category that often features lightly raced mares who could be anything. Meanwhile, The By Chen Presidential Apprentice Handicap Stakes (Class 5) adds an extra layer of intrigue: apprentice races can be notoriously difficult to call, but the weight allowances can make some well-handicapped horses look very attractive. Round out your Taunton study with The Sell Your Business With Anderson Barrowcliff Handicap Stakes (Class 5). Check out our dedicated Taunton Preview for tips and race-by-race verdicts.

Cartmel Racecourse – First Race 14:05

Cartmel is one of British racing's most characterful venues, and today it hosts the biggest card of the afternoon with eight races. The going is recorded as Good to Firm (GoingStick reading: 37), and the top prize stands at £10,000. The festival atmosphere at Cartmel is always infectious, and today's card is no different.

The highlight is arguably The EBF / UB40 ft. Ali Campbell 24th July Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 4) – a dual-qualified EBF Restricted Race and GBB Race for horses in Bands B, C and D. Novice contests at Cartmel can be deceptive given the unique, tight track, so course experience and agility matter as much as raw ability. Also worth your attention is The togetheragainfestival.co.uk Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Class 4), another GBB Race, and The LSL Racing Horse Sales Syndication Leasing Apprentice Handicap Stakes (Class 5). Cartmel's quirky layout means market movers and local knowledge often prove invaluable. Our full Cartmel Preview has everything you need.

Evening Flat Racing: Epsom Downs

Epsom Downs Racecourse – First Race 17:45

As the afternoon fades, the spotlight shifts to one of British racing's most iconic venues. Epsom Downs stages six races on Good to Firm ground, with a top prize of £13,000. The unique undulations and cambers of the Epsom track always make for compelling viewing, and the evening light on the Surrey Downs is a treat for racegoers.

The feature is The Betfred 'The Classic Bookmaker' EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 3) – a GBB Race that, at Class 3, represents one of the better quality maiden contests on the card today. Expect some well-bred debutants or once-raced types from powerful yards looking to make their mark. The Steve Donoghue Handicap Stakes (Class 5) – named after the legendary six-time Derby-winning jockey – and The Chantilly Handicap Stakes (Class 5) complete the evening's competitive handicap action. Epsom's track rewards horses that handle the undulating terrain, so always check how a horse has fared on similar courses. Get the full picture with our Epsom Downs Preview.

Evening Jump Racing: Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton Racecourse – First Race 17:52

While Epsom provides the flat racing curtain call, Wolverhampton brings something entirely different to the table – a six-race jumps card on Good, Good to Firm in Places ground. Summer jumping is a niche discipline, but it serves an important purpose in the calendar and today's card carries a top prize of £10,000.

Two ARC Summer Chase Series Qualifiers feature prominently: The CopyBet Bog Today For Tomorrow's Racing Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 5) and The CopyBet Pay First Past The Post Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 5). Both are part of the popular summer chase series and should attract some solid, consistent chasers looking to build their series points tally. Rounding off the card is The CopyBet Support Safer Gambling Maiden Hurdle Race (Class 4), which doubles as an ARC Summer Novices' Brush Hurdle Series Qualifier and a GBB Race – a fine opportunity for unexposed hurdlers to get their season off the mark. Our Wolverhampton Preview has all the form angles covered.

Today's Racing at a Glance

  • Fontwell Park – 7 races, 13:40 first race, Good to Firm, Good in Places, top prize £30,000
  • Taunton – 6 races, 13:53 first race, Good to Firm, Good in Places, top prize £9,000
  • Cartmel – 8 races, 14:05 first race, Good to Firm (GoingStick 37), top prize £10,000
  • Epsom Downs – 6 races, 17:45 first race, Good to Firm, top prize £13,000
  • Wolverhampton – 6 races (jumps), 17:52 first race, Good, Good to Firm in Places, top prize £10,000

Conclusion: A Busy Thursday of UK Racing

With 33 races across five courses, Thursday, 16 July 2026 is a genuinely rewarding day for racing fans and punters alike. The richest prize money is on offer at Fontwell Park, while Epsom Downs brings its trademark prestige to the evening card. Cartmel's unique charm and bumper eight-race card make it a must-watch for the afternoon, and Wolverhampton's summer jumps action provides a refreshing contrast to the flat racing on offer elsewhere. Whatever your preference, today's UK horse racing has something for everyone. Be sure to read our individual course previews for race-by-race tips, key trends and our best bets of the day – and as always, please gamble responsibly.