Horse Racing Today: Your Complete Saturday 29 August 2026 Guide

Happy Saturday, racing fans. If you're looking for a one-stop guide to today's horse racing in the UK, you've come to the right place. We have a magnificent seven courses in action on this late-August bank holiday weekend, serving up 46 races and prize money that stretches from a mouth-watering £200,000 at Folkestone all the way down to the more modest but equally competitive cards at Cartmel and Wincanton. The undisputed headline act is the BetMGM Atalanta Stakes (Group 3) at Ripon, but there is plenty more to get stuck into — including a note of caution around Chelmsford City, where racing has been abandoned. Read on for everything you need to know before a single hoof hits the turf today.

Ripon: Group 3 Glory on Good Ground

Ripon Racecourse is the undisputed star of the show this afternoon. The North Yorkshire circuit stages the BetMGM Atalanta Stakes (Class 1, Group 3) as its feature, offering the highest level of flat racing on the card today and top prize money of £95,000. With the going described as Round Good, conditions look ideal for a fast-finishing filly to grab the glory, and connections of any mare with a strong turn of foot will be licking their lips.

Earlier on the Ripon card, the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Class 2) — a GBB Race — gives promising juvenile fillies the chance to announce themselves ahead of the autumn, while the Zyn Frontrunner Finish Handicap Stakes (Class 2) adds another layer of competitive handicap action. With seven races kicking off at 13:40, Ripon demands your attention from the first race. Check out our full Ripon Racing Preview for tips and form analysis.

Folkestone: £200,000 on the Line in Kent

Folkestone Racecourse hosts the richest prize pot of the day — a stunning £200,000 top prize — making it essential viewing for any serious punter. The going is Good to Firm (37), which should suit speedier, front-running types, and the card of seven races gets underway at 13:25, making it the first course into action today.

The marquee race is the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Stakes (Class 2), a race that always attracts a competitive field and will have punters poring over the form book. Alongside it, the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 2) — an EBF Restricted Race Qualifier and GBB/GBBPLUS Race — offers exciting prospects for fillies in Bands B, C and D, while the Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap Stakes (Class 2) rounds off the key races nicely. On quick ground in Kent, pace will be at a premium — look for horses drawn low and those with proven form on fast going. Our Folkestone Racing Preview has the full breakdown.

Brighton Jumps In — And Bangor Gets Wet

Unusually for late August, we have jump racing on the agenda today, courtesy of Brighton Racecourse. The seaside track stages six hurdle races with a top prize of £21,150, and the going — Good to Soft, Good in Places — could ease further given forecast rain, so keep an eye on any late going updates. The RF Miller & Co Novices' Hurdle Race (Class 4) is a GBB Race and should attract some exciting young jumpers, while the Hadwins Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 5) and the Mountain Goat Tours Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) complete the key contests. First race is at 14:05. See our Brighton Racing Preview for selections.

Over in Wales, Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse is dealing with the other end of the going spectrum entirely. With conditions Soft, Heavy in Places, this is a card for the mud-lovers, and stamina will be the name of the game across six races starting at 13:45. The Blink and You Miss It Sprint Handicap Stakes (Class 3) is the feature, though on this ground even sprinters will need to dig deep. The Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Hull Handicap Stakes (Class 5) and the Dearing Plastics Celebrating 40 Years Handicap Stakes (Class 5) fill out a competitive afternoon. Check our Bangor-on-Dee Racing Preview for the best bets in the mud.

Evening Action at Cartmel and Wincanton

If you're still standing after a full afternoon of racing, the evening cards at Cartmel Racecourse and Wincanton Racecourse offer a delightful way to round off the day.

Cartmel, the Lake District's beloved summer track, hosts seven races from 16:40 on going described as Good, Good to Soft in Places (43). The Free Tips on attheraces.com EBF Novice Stakes (Class 3) is the standout, a GBB Race that could feature some interesting types, while the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Novice Stakes (Class 4) and the Sky Sports Racing Virgin 512 Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 5) complete the key action. Top prize is £12,000. Our Cartmel Racing Preview has everything you need.

Wincanton, meanwhile, stages six races from 16:30 on Good to Firm, Good in Places (Soil Moisture 40) ground, with a top prize of £60,000. The Total Task Consultancy Take The Reins Handicap Stakes (Class 4) Division II and the Matchbook Betting Exchange Supporting UK Racing Novice Stakes (Class 4) are both worth a look, while the Remembering Gillian Rose Deane at 60 Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 6) is a lovely tribute race to close the card. Get the full picture in our Wincanton Racing Preview.

Chelmsford City: Abandoned — Please Note

A word of warning for anyone who had Chelmsford City in their plans today: the Chelmsford City Racecourse card has been abandoned, with the cancellation confirmed more than 72 hours in advance. All seven races — including the Fairwood Brasserie Apprentice Handicap Stakes and the Racing Welfare Novice Stakes — will not take place. If you had bets placed on any Chelmsford races, check with your bookmaker regarding refunds.

Today's Racing at a Glance

  • Folkestone — 7 races, 13:25, Good to Firm, top prize £200,000
  • Ripon — 7 races, 13:40, Good, top prize £95,000 (Group 3 feature)
  • Bangor-on-Dee — 6 races, 13:45, Soft/Heavy in Places, top prize £20,000
  • Brighton — 6 races (jumps), 14:05, Good to Soft, top prize £21,150
  • Wincanton — 6 races, 16:30, Good to Firm, top prize £60,000
  • Cartmel — 7 races, 16:40, Good/Good to Soft, top prize £12,000
  • Chelmsford City — ABANDONED

It's a spectacular Saturday of racing across Britain, and whether your allegiance lies with the Group 3 stars at Ripon, the big-money handicappers at Folkestone, or the mud-splattered warriors at Bangor-on-Dee, there is something for every racing fan today. Good luck, stay responsible, and enjoy every stride. Paddock Punter will have results and reaction as the day unfolds.