Newbury Racecourse Guide
Newbury racecourse might not be the most famous course in England, but it is home to some of the biggest races in the horse racing betting calendar. The Winter Carnival at Newbury has seen many famous winners throughout the years, including Arkle, Native River and Many Clouds. Newbury has been hosting racing meetings for over 100 years and with an upcoming development planned, it will surely remain as popular as ever.
Bet UK’s online betting has the latest Newbury betting odds, as well as horse racing betting odds for meetings all year round.
Where is Newbury Racecourse?
Newbury racecourse is located on the outskirts on Newbury in West Berkshire. The racecourse is approximately 2 miles from the centre of Newbury and will have regular transport links to and from the racecourse.
How to get to Newbury Racecourse
Driving to Newbury Racecourse
From the North, head down the M1 until reaching exit 15A. Leave at exit 15A and follow the A43. At exit 10, the A43 merges into the M40 towards London. At exit 9 on the M40, turn off and take the 3rd exit on the roundabout towards the A34. The A34 will take you directly to Newbury and eventually onto London Road. Keep going along London Road before turning right on Hambridge Road. Head straight over the first roundabout before turning right at the second, heading into Newbury Racecourse.
If you are driving from London, it’s almost a straight drive to Newbury. Simply head out of London on the M4, following the motorway until reaching exit 12. Turn left off the M4 onto the A4, following signs for Newbury. At the end of the road, turn left at the roundabout before taking your second left onto B3421. Head straight over the first roundabout before turning right at the second one, taking you direct to Newbury Racecourse.
Car Parking at Newbury Racecourse
The main car park is actually in the centre of the racecourse at Newbury. The car park can be accessed from both entrances to the course, however it is advised that you arrive early to avoid any traffic. In general, race organisers often advise people to travel to the dedicated train station at the racecourse, so parking in the centre of Newbury might be an option.
Getting the train to Newbury Racecourse
Handily, there is a train station at Newbury Racecourse that has direct trains from London Paddington, as well as regular trains from Newbury station itself.
What is the course like at Newbury?
Newbury racecourse is one of the UK’s premium tracks. The racecourse is very fair and in general, the track is consistent throughout. The course can be adjusted for jumps or flat racing. When flat racing, it’s a typically small course with a 1m long straight and a full circuit of around 1m 5f. It’s jump racing track is longer, and is typically ran at just over 2m. Both courses are left handed and fairly flat with few undulations throughout the course.
Racing meetings at Newbury Racecourse
The Winter Carnival is the highlight of Newbury’s racing season and often attracts some of the biggest names in horse racing. In recent years, Bobs Worth, Many Clouds and Native River have all won the highlight Ladbrokes Trophy. Coming just 2 weeks after The Open at Cheltenham, the Winter Carnival is another chance for horses to warm up at the start of the jump racing season. As well as the Winter Carnival, there is also Betfair Super Saturday, Dubai Duty Free Springs Trials and the Starlight Charity Race Day.
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National Hunt Betting Guide
Whether you’re placing a bet at Cheltenham, Kempton or Aintree, the National Hunt Season is full of top-class racing. Not only do we have the main meetings at Bet UK, we also have daily horse racing betting from across the UK and Ireland, so you’ll never miss a hurdle or chase race.
Normally National Hunt racing does run throughout the entire UK horse racing calendar. However, the main events happen between October and April, where the biggest horses in jumps racing will feature in Grade 1 handicaps.
Before placing a bet on any National Hunt Horse racing at Bet UK, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of National Hunt Racing. So, whether you’re looking for a win, place or each way, we’ve got you covered.
In our National Hunt Guide, we’ll talk you through all of the betting options and give you some insight into how to select a horse that can handle the distance and going conditions.
National Hunt Bets at Bet UK?
Win Bet in the National Hunt
A simple bet; it basically means you’re betting on a horse to finish in first place.
Place Bet in the National Hunt
As well as betting on a horse to win a race, punters can place a bet on a horse to finish either second or third in a race.
Each way Bet in the National Hunt
This option provides punters with two separate bets - one to win and one to place. Normally the place part of the bet is settled on the first three horses to finish; however, this can vary depending on the number of horses in the race and whether the race is a handicap.
Non-Handicap Races 2-4 Runners pays on win only 5-7 Runners pay on the first and second with a ¼ of the odds 8 or more runners will pay out on first, second and third with a ⅕ of the odds
Handicap Races 2-4 Runners pays on win only 5-7 Runners will pay on the first and second and offer ¼ of the odds 8-11 Runners on the first, second or third places with a ¼ of the odds 12-15 Runners on first, second and third with a ¼ of the odds 16+ Runners pays on the first four to pass the post with a ¼ of the odds
Forecast Betting
If you want to pick more than one horse in a race, then a forecast could be the best option for you. Within this bet, you will select a horse who will finish in first and second place, and the bet will only pay out if that scenario occurs.
Tricast
This bet is similar to a forecast but involves three horses, and the bettor must select them to finish correctly in first, second and third for the bet to pay out.
What races will horses feature in during the National Hunt Season?
Bumpers are National Hunt flat races that feature zero obstacles. Normally for younger horses who have no experience over hurdles or fences, they will make their debuts in these races in preparation for the next season.
Hurdles are the smallest of the National Hunt obstacles. These are where horses will progress to after bumper races.
Chase fences are the larger obstacles in National Hunt racing. These steeplechase fences require more skill to jump than hurdles, and horses can often fall if they misjudge the size of the fence.
What are novice National Hunt races?
These types of races are specifically for horses who are new to the National Hunt Racing. Common over hurdles and chase fences, multiple races can be seen throughout the season.
What are Handicap races?
Like those seen in the flat season, handicap races are the most common in National Hunt Racing. Each horse in these races will carry different weights depending on its most recent performances.
What are Conditions races?
Unlike handicaps, every horse involved in a conditions race will carry the same weight regardless of their form.
What are the Different Grades of Races Used in National Hunt Racing?
Like other UK horse racing, many of the races across the National Hunt Season will have classifications ranging from Grade 1, which are the biggest races on the calendar, to Grade 2, Grade 3, down to listed races, handicaps and then bumpers. Races will also be given a class of 1-7, with Grade 1-3 contests falling under class 1.
What are the key National Hunt Racing Days
Throughout the National Hunt Season, there are key meetings on which punters will potentially place bets. These are the:
Betfair Chase King George VI Chase at Kempton Cheltenham Festival, which features the Champion Hurdle, the Champion Chase, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup Aintree Festival, which includes the Grand National
What are the most common types of going in National Hunt Racing?
Due to main National Hunt races happening in the winter months, the going conditions for the races are Good to Soft (good ground holding water), Soft (common in the jumps season, the ground holds more moisture) and Heavy (very wet and can be difficult to run on). In Ireland, Yielding is the equivalent of good to soft.
National Hunt Horses to Watch in 2022/23
Honeysuckle
Given her form since 2020 season, it's hard to ignore Honeysuckle. The winner of Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown and the Punchestown Champions Hurdle, she looks set to keep her unbeaten run intact this season. We expect to see her in Ireland at some point in November, so keep your eyes on the racecards.
Famoso
A half brother to Tornado Flyer and with bloodlines to Hurricane Fly, it’s hard to ignore the pedigree of Famoso. Trained by Paul Nicholls, it looks as though he’ll go out over distances of just over 2 miles and given the fact he’s had an extra year to mature, we think he’ll soon go beyond his 111 rating.
Exelerator Express
Trained by Bet UK ambassador Neil Mulholland Exelerator Express was victorious in four of his seven outings in 2021 and has also placed in two of those races. He’s expected to head to Cheltenham Festival later in the season with the Arkle the aim.
Coconut Splash
Trained by Evan Williams, this six-year-old ran well last season and finished the campaign with a rating of 137 as a novice chaser. He’ll most likely head to somewhere like Chepstow or Wetherby for his first start of the season, as he seems to favour soft or heavy ground. He’s still a novice when it comes to chasing so it may take a race for him to find his feet, but given that he finished second behind Chantry House in his last race, we expect to see good things.
Ante Post Betting Guide
Ante Post betting, also known as futures betting, is well known with regards to horse racing betting. Horse racing betting often offers odds on big races long before they actually take place, allowing you to potentially get better odds and bigger returns.
What is Ante Post betting?
Ante Post betting is when you place a bet on a horse race before the race card is confirmed and the race actually takes place. For example, the Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup is a popular Ante Post race, as it is one of the biggest races of the horse racing calendar. In the run up to the race, there might be a wide selection of horses that are speculated to be entered into the race. Until the racecard is officially confirmed, any bet placed on the race will effectively be classed as Ante Post.
There are also some risks with Ante Post betting however. As the racecards are not yet confirmed, there is a chance that your selection might not even race. So although you might get increased odds on a sure favourite, there is a chance that your horse has no chance of winning. With Ante Post betting, any bet that is placed and then does not run, will be resulted in a loss. This means that no refunds will be issued and the stake will be lost.
Ante Post betting also applies to more betting markets than just horse racing. There are also other sports that feature ante post betting, including football betting. For example, a bet on the outright winner of the Premier League would be an ante post bet, as it will not be settled until the end of the season. These kind of ante post bets provide less risk however, as the team you bet on is guaranteed to take part in the Premier League season.
Ante Post Betting Example
- The Cheltenham Gold Cup is raced every March at Cheltenham racecourse, but markets for the race are typically open all year round. In anticipation of the race, you decide to place a bet on Horse A in January.
- As the race draws closer, the race card is confirmed. Horse A has instead been entered into another race and will not be taking part in the Gold Cup.
- With Horse A entering into another race, your bet will be resulted in a loss. Unless there is a special ‘No Runner No Bet’ offer, a horse not running will always result in a loss with no stake being returned. If there is ‘No Runner No Bet’ offer, then the stake will be returned.
- If Horse A does run, then the bet will be settled as normal. The bet will also avoid any Rule 4 declarations, meaning that your chances of winning will be increased, but your payout will remain the same.
Head back to our Bet UK Betting Guides for more information on our huge selection of betting markets.
Bet UK's online betting has the latest Ante Post betting on the biggest racing festivals, including the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot. Bet UK's sports betting blog covers the latest sporting news from all major events, including the latest odds, tips and previews.
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