Today's UK Horse Racing Overview – Saturday 18 July 2026

It is a bumper Saturday of British racing with eight racecourses staging a combined 53 races across both codes. Flat enthusiasts are spoiled for choice, with Group 3 prestige at Market Rasen Racecourse leading the way, while jumps fans have a genuine summer highlight to savour in the shape of the Betway Summer Plate at Ludlow Racecourse. Goodwood, sadly, has been abandoned following a BHA Inspector-supported cancellation made more than 72 hours in advance, so punters should cross that one off their racecard. Elsewhere, Pontefract, Newbury, Chester, Newmarket, and Brighton all add to what promises to be a thrilling day's sport. Let's break it all down.

The Headline Act: Market Rasen's Group 3 Hackwood Stakes

Market Rasen Racecourse is today's premier flat venue, boasting the richest top prize of any meeting at £290,848 and a card packed with black-type quality. The ground is Good to Firm (currently on the easy side of Good to Firm), which should suit horses with a touch of class and a clean action. The card gets underway at 13:55.

The undoubted highlight is The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes (Class 1, Group 3), which attracts the very best sprinting talent in training. Keep a close eye on the draw and recent course-and-distance form — Market Rasen's straight track rewards pace-setters when the ground rides quick. Earlier on the card, The BetVictor Steventon Stakes (Class 1, Listed Race) provides another excellent opportunity for a high-class performer to stake a claim for bigger prizes later in the season, while The Pertemps Network Handicap Stakes (Class 2, GBBPlus Race) is a competitive puzzle for the handicappers among you. Our tipsters have gone through the card in depth — read the full Market Rasen Racing Preview for selections and analysis.

Jumps Highlight: The Betway Summer Plate at Ludlow

Summer jumping is very much alive and kicking at Ludlow Racecourse, where the going is a lovely Good and the top prize stands at £75,000. First race is at 13:35, meaning jumps fans can get their day started nice and early.

The Betway Summer Plate Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1, Premier Handicap, GBB Race) is the jewel in the crown — a race that has established itself as one of the most prestigious summer jumping prizes in the calendar. Expect a field of well-handicapped, battle-hardened chasers with plenty of form to dissect. The Betway Summer Handicap Hurdle (Class 2, GBB Race) is another quality contest, and the Betway Free Bet Club Novices' Hurdle (Class 4, GBB Race) gives younger hurdlers the chance to make their mark. For a full breakdown of the Ludlow card, visit our Ludlow Racing Preview.

Flat Action: Newbury, Pontefract, Chester and Newmarket

Beyond Market Rasen, there is plenty of high-quality flat racing to get stuck into across four other afternoon and evening venues.

Newbury

Newbury Racecourse stages six races on Good to Firm ground, with a top prize of £60,000. The Ric and Mary Hambro Aphrodite Fillies' Stakes (Class 1, Listed Race, GBBPlus Race) is the standout, offering a superb opportunity for the best fillies in training to shine. The EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Class 4, GBB Race) is well worth watching for future stars, and The Lettergold Plastics Handicap (Class 4) rounds off a solid supporting card. First race is at 14:30. Check out our Newbury Racing Preview for the full lowdown.

Pontefract

Pontefract Racecourse offers seven races from 14:05 on ground described as Good, Good to Firm in places. The Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap (Class 3, GBBPlus Race) is the feature, but the two GBB races — the Dobsons Gaskets EBF Novice Stakes and Simon's 20 Year Heart Transplant Anniversary Maiden Stakes — carry real depth and could throw up a future star or two. The top prize is £50,000. Full analysis is available in our Pontefract Racing Preview.

Chester and Newmarket

The evening cards at Chester Racecourse and Newmarket Racecourse add further variety to the day. Chester, where ground is Good to Firm (watered), stages seven races from 17:40, with the Lakeside Village Is 30 Handicap (Class 3) the pick of the card. The British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 4, GBB Race) is also one to follow for breeding enthusiasts. Newmarket's six-race card from 17:55 on Good to Firm, Good in places ground includes the Racing TV Proudly Supports Teenage Cancer Trust Restricted Maiden (Class 5, GBB Race) — a race that carries genuine purpose beyond the track. See the Chester Preview and Newmarket Preview for our picks.

Brighton Jumps Card and the Goodwood Abandonment

Brighton Racecourse hosts seven jumps races from 14:00 on Good ground, with a top prize of £30,650. The RF Miller & Co Female Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) is a particularly entertaining contest, celebrating female talent both in and out of the saddle. The Hadwins Novices' Hurdle (Class 4, GBB Race) and the Cartmel Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) complete a solid card. Our Brighton Racing Preview has everything you need.

As noted, Goodwood has been abandoned — the cancellation was made more than 72 hours in advance with BHA Inspector support. Punters with ante-post bets on the Goodwood card should check with their bookmaker regarding refund policies. The Goodwood Racecourse profile has further information.

Summary: Today's Must-Watch Races

  • Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) – Market Rasen: the day's premier flat contest
  • Betway Summer Plate (Premier Handicap Chase) – Ludlow: the jumps highlight of the summer
  • Aphrodite Fillies' Stakes (Listed) – Newbury: top-class fillies go to war
  • Steventon Stakes (Listed) – Market Rasen: early black-type for ambitious stayers
  • Female Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – Brighton: a unique and compelling contest

With 53 races across seven active venues, Saturday 18 July 2026 is a day to keep Racing TV on in the background and your racecard close at hand. From Group 3 sprinting glory at Market Rasen to the thunder of hooves over fences at Ludlow, there is something for every type of racing fan. Good luck, and may your selections run true — and remember to gamble responsibly.