Horse Racing Today: Saturday 4 July 2026 Overview

Saturday racing in Britain doesn't get much better than this. We have 41 races spread across seven venues on 4 July 2026, with the headline acts coming from Ripon and Newbury. The going is largely Good to Firm across the country following a dry spell, so expect fast times and front-runners to be respected — particularly over the sprint trips. Sadly, Goodwood has been abandoned following a BHA Inspector-supported cancellation made more than 72 hours in advance, which is a blow for summer racing fans, but there is still plenty to get stuck into elsewhere. Let's break down the action course by course.

Note: Goodwood's card has been lost entirely — check our Goodwood Racecourse profile for updates on rescheduled fixtures, and keep an eye on our Goodwood Preview for any carryover notes.

Ripon: The Star of the Show with a £1,000,000 Top Prize

If you're only watching one meeting today, make it Ripon. The Yorkshire track hosts a stunning card with a £1,000,000 top prize on offer — comfortably the richest pot of the day — and three prestigious races that will attract the cream of the sprint division. First race is at 13:50, so get your morning form study done early.

The centrepiece is The Coral Charge (Class 1, Group 3), registered as The Sprint Stakes, which promises to be a mouth-watering contest for the top sprinters in training. Alongside it, The Coral Distaff (Class 1, Listed Race) gives the fillies and mares a chance to shine, while The Coral Challenge (Handicap, Class 2) rounds out a trio of high-quality races that will keep punters glued to their screens all afternoon. The going is recorded on soil moisture — 45% Round and 42% Sprint as of Friday morning — which suggests a surface that should ride close to Good to Firm, favouring horses with tactical pace and a clean action.

Ripon's compact, right-handed track is notoriously tricky for big fields, so draw and pace angles will be crucial. Visit our Ripon Racecourse profile for full course statistics, and read our in-depth Ripon Racing Preview for today's best bets and key form angles.

Newbury: Lancashire Oaks Headline a £165,000 Card

Newbury gets the afternoon underway at 13:30 and offers the second-richest prize fund of the day at £165,000. The Betway Lancashire Oaks (Class 1, Group 2) is the showpiece, a prestigious middle-distance test for fillies and mares that invariably throws up smart performers destined for the top of the staying division. This is a race worth watching closely for Classic and Arc trials form.

Supporting the Group 2 is The Betway Bet £10 Get £40 Handicap Stakes (Class 2, GBBPlus Race), which will attract a competitive field of progressive handicappers, and The Betway Sprint Handicap Stakes (Class 4) to round out a well-structured seven-race card. The going is Good to Firm throughout at Newbury, and the wide, galloping track should ensure a thorough test of stamina and class. Pace-setters can get caught late on the straight course, so keep an eye on closers in the sprint handicap.

For full course information, head to our Newbury Racecourse profile, and for today's selections and analysis, our Newbury Racing Preview has you covered.

Evening Action: Newmarket and Beverley Under the Lights

For those who prefer their racing in the early evening, both Newmarket and Beverley provide excellent twilight fixtures — a perfect way to round off a big day of flat racing.

Newmarket

Newmarket kicks off at 18:00 on going described as Good to Firm, Good in Places, with seven races and a top prize of £10,000. The card features two GBB (Great British Bonus) Novice Stakes — The Racedays for £9 at Nottingham Racecourse Novice Stakes (Class 4) and The Ivor Thirst Sprint Novice Stakes (Class 4) — making it an intriguing evening for those tracking the next generation of flat talent. The Gold Star Gallop Handicap Stakes (Class 5) completes the key races. Newmarket's Rowley Mile and July Course are the ultimate tests of a young horse's ability, so novice winners here carry real authority. See the Newmarket Racecourse profile and our Newmarket Racing Preview for tonight's tips.

Beverley

Beverley gets going at 18:09 on Good to Firm, Good in Places ground, with a top prize of £12,500 across six races. Today's card has a distinctive flavour — three of the key races are designated for female jockeys, making it a standout fixture in the calendar. The Title Sponsor Handicap Stakes (Class 5) and The Style Awards Fashion Finale Handicap Stakes (Class 6) are both open to Pro-Am Female Jockeys, while The Sheila Petch Appreciation Handicap Stakes (Class 4) is reserved for Professional Female Jockeys. It's a brilliant showcase for the talent coming through the ranks. Check out the Beverley Racecourse profile and the Beverley Racing Preview for the lowdown.

Afternoon Undercards: Kelso and Bangor-on-Dee

Kelso and Bangor-on-Dee both offer seven-race afternoon cards that shouldn't be overlooked by value hunters.

Kelso (first race 14:11, Good to Firm, Good in Places, top prize £12,000) is a sharp, right-handed track in the Scottish Borders where local knowledge pays dividends. Key races include The Available Car Selling Stakes (Class 3), The Smooth Radio EBF Novice Stakes (Class 4, GBB Race), and The Rich and Carr Solicitors Handicap Stakes (Class 6). Visit the Kelso Racecourse profile and Kelso Racing Preview for more.

Bangor-on-Dee (first race 14:17, Good to Firm, Good in Places, top prize £60,000) is a delightful rural track in North Wales that punches well above its weight today with a £60,000 top prize. The card features two EBF Maiden Stakes — The Rob Over the Hill EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 4) and The Matthew Ireland Memorial EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 3) — alongside The George Kilburn Memorial Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 6). See the Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse profile and the Bangor-on-Dee Racing Preview for full previews.

Today's Racing at a Glance

  • Ripon — 13:50 first race | 7 races | Top prize: £1,000,000 | Going: Soil Moisture 45%/42%
  • Newbury — 13:30 first race | 7 races | Top prize: £165,000 | Going: Good to Firm
  • Kelso — 14:11 first race | 7 races | Top prize: £12,000 | Going: Good to Firm, Good in Places
  • Bangor-on-Dee — 14:17 first race | 7 races | Top prize: £60,000 | Going: Good to Firm, Good in Places
  • Newmarket — 18:00 first race | 7 races | Top prize: £10,000 | Going: Good to Firm, Good in Places
  • Beverley — 18:09 first race | 6 races | Top prize: £12,500 | Going: Good to Firm, Good in Places
  • Goodwood — Abandoned

Summary: A Superb Saturday of UK Flat Racing

Despite the disappointment of Goodwood's abandonment, Saturday 4 July 2026 delivers a feast of flat racing across Britain. The Coral Charge at Ripon is the race of the day, with the Lancashire Oaks at Newbury running it close for prestige. Add in the charming female jockey showcase at Beverley, the next-generation talent on show at Newmarket, and excellent value cards at Kelso and Bangor-on-Dee, and there is something for every punter today. Make sure you've read all our course previews before placing a bet, stay on top of any late going changes, and — as always — bet responsibly. Good luck!