Horse Racing Today: Wednesday 23 September 2026 Overview

Wednesday's racing card serves up a thoroughly enjoyable midweek spread across four UK venues, with 28 races in total covering both flat and jump disciplines. The headline meeting comes at Folkestone Racecourse, where a £100,000 top prize makes it comfortably the richest card of the day. Meanwhile, jump racing fans have Newton Abbot Racecourse to look forward to, with a competitive six-race card kicking off in the early afternoon. Add in the all-weather action at Hexham Racecourse and a busy flat card at Plumpton Racecourse, and there is plenty to keep punters occupied from early afternoon well into the evening.

Whether you are hunting a winner on the flat or fancying a jumper on Good to Soft ground, today's UK racing has something for everyone. Let's break down what each course has to offer.

Folkestone: The Headline Meeting with £100,000 on Offer

The Folkestone Racecourse card is unquestionably the centrepiece of today's action, with seven races getting underway from 13:30 on Good going. The top prize of £100,000 gives the card a prestige that stands head and shoulders above the other three meetings today, and the quality of the race titles reflects that ambition.

The standout contest is The Juddmonte EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes (Class 2), a race that carries EBF Restricted Qualifier status and counts as a GBB/GBBPLUS Race. With Band A through D horses eligible, this should attract a broad and competitive field of promising types, and the Juddmonte name alone guarantees a degree of quality in the entries. Maiden watchers and ante-post enthusiasts will want to pay close attention here, as these EBF-linked races often throw up horses who go on to bigger things.

Also of significant interest is The Heineken Handicap Stakes (Class 2), which offers the most competitive handicap action on the card, and The Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Classified Stakes (Class 3), where exposed performers at a known level can be assessed with some confidence. Good ground at Folkestone today should suit horses with a slick, fluent action, so keep an eye on horses who have previously shown a preference for a quick surface.

For a full race-by-race breakdown and our best bets, check out the Folkestone Racing Preview.

Newton Abbot: Jump Racing Returns with Good Ground

For those who prefer their racing over obstacles, Newton Abbot Racecourse provides the only jump card of the day, with six races starting at 14:12. The going is described as Good, Good to Soft in places, with the track aiming to replicate conditions similar to the April Perth Festival — a useful reference point for form students. The top prize stands at £25,000.

The key races here include The Harvesting What Matters Most Novices' Hurdle (Class 4), a GBB Race that will attract some interesting unexposed hurdlers. Novice hurdle form can be tricky to assess, but Good ground should help separate the genuine article from those who need softer conditions to show their best.

Handicap fans will want to focus on The Lord Mansfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Class 4), which doubles as a Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier, and The Bet With The Dewhurst Ring Handicap Hurdle (Class 4), a Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier. Both handicap hurdles look competitive on paper and represent excellent betting opportunities for those who enjoy poring over the form book. Horses coming here fresh from a summer break could be at a natural advantage on this relatively sharp track.

Don't miss our dedicated Newton Abbot Racing Preview for tips and analysis on all six races.

Plumpton: Nursery Action and a Novice Highlight

Over at Plumpton Racecourse, seven flat races get underway from 13:47 on Good to Firm, Good in places going. The top prize is £22,000, and while the prize money may be more modest, the racing is no less interesting — particularly for those who enjoy tracking the progress of two-year-olds through the nursery season.

Two nursery handicaps feature prominently: The Happy Birthday Mark Holton Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 6) and The Weatherbys Stallion Book Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 5). Both races offer punters the chance to assess juveniles who have already shown their hand in maiden and novice company, and the Good to Firm ground should suit speedier, sharper types. Trainers who have been specifically targeting a nursery campaign with a lightly-raced two-year-old could have a significant edge here.

The card's most prestigious contest is The British EBF Supports Racing To School Future Stayers Novice Stakes (Class 3), a Sire and Dam Restricted Race that also carries GBB Race status. The pedigree restrictions make this one a fascinating puzzle, and it could well feature a future stayer of genuine note. Read our full Plumpton Racing Preview for detailed selections.

Hexham: Evening All-Weather with Eight Races

Rounding off the day is Hexham Racecourse, which hosts the largest card of the day with eight races beginning at 16:55. The going is Standard to Slow — notably, the track has been rotavated to a depth of 120mm and compressed back, which is worth bearing in mind when assessing how horses might handle the surface. The top prize is £12,000.

The key races include two EBF-linked novice contests: The Unibet/EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 4) Division II, a GBB/GBBPLUS Race for Band B, C and D horses, and The Unibet/EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (Class 4), another GBB Race. Both could feature some interesting sorts for the notebook. Completing the card's highlights is The Racing TV Fillies' Handicap Stakes (Class 5), which carries London Mile Series Qualifier status — a detail worth noting for connections targeting that series.

The rotavated surface at Hexham adds an element of uncertainty, so horses with proven form on a Standard to Slow all-weather surface should hold a distinct advantage this evening. Our Hexham Racing Preview has everything you need to navigate the card.

Today's Racing Summary: Key Facts at a Glance

  • Folkestone — 7 races, first race 13:30, Good going, top prize £100,000
  • Plumpton — 7 races, first race 13:47, Good to Firm (Good in places), top prize £22,000
  • Newton Abbot — 6 races, first race 14:12, Good (Good to Soft in places), top prize £25,000
  • Hexham — 8 races, first race 16:55, Standard to Slow, top prize £12,000

Wednesday 23 September 2026 offers a well-rounded day of UK racing, from the prestige flat action at Folkestone to the jumping thrills at Newton Abbot. Whether you are a seasoned form student or a casual punter looking for a winner, there is more than enough here to keep you entertained from lunchtime through to the evening. Good luck, and as always, bet responsibly.