Home to the Grand National, Aintree is of the top National Hunt venues in the circuit. Despite various modifications to the National Course, the race still offers the ultimate challenge to both horse and rider and attracts a massive worldwide audience. Fences the like of Becher’s Brook, The Chair and The Canal Turn have helped to capture the public’s imagination of the race and have become household names in their own right. The Mildmay Course stages all but four of Aintree’s races and is a flat, track with two long straights. It is imperative horses are fast and accurate at their obstacles at both courses.

Founded in 1711 by Queen Anne, Ascot is Britain’s and arguably the world’s most famous racecourse. Although the Berkshire course plays host to a number of top-class National Hunt fixtures, it is on the Flat that it has earned its reputation worldwide with the Royal Meeting in June providing five days of the best racing anywhere on the planet. The combination of the quality of racing, stunning fashion and Royal Processions that take place on each of the four days, stands this meeting apart from any other. A galloping, right-handed track, Ascot provides a stiff test for horses, which can become exceptionally testing in soft ground.

Recognised as the premier racecourse in Scotland and hosts regular flat and jump meetings. Its main highlights are the Scottish Grand National held in April and the Western Meeting on the Flat in September that features the Ayr Gold Cup. Approximately one and a half miles in circumference, the course suits long-striding gallopers and provides a searching test of stamina in rain-softened conditions.

Horse racing activity in this area of County Mayo goes back as far as the 17th century, but Ballinrobe has been an active racecourse since 1921. Perhaps the most famous horse to grace the field here was Doran’s Pride, a Stayers’ Hurdle winner and second twice in the Cheltenham Gold Cup during the 1990s. Ballinrobe encapsulates what Irish racing is all about.

cturesque racecourses in Britain. The course offers a unique feature in that races are generally viewed from the grass banks surrounding the track as there is no grandstand. A flat track notable for its three, sharp bends, the course is perfectly set up for front runners.

that are able to gain a prominent, early position. Two other factors that can come heavily into play are the swirling gusts of wind and the stiff, uphill finish. A difficult track for runners, riders and punters, this challenge only adds to the character of the course.

big numbers to experience what the track has to offer – indeed, it is known for a buzzing atmosphere when the sun shines. Bellewstown is another of Ireland’s dual-purpose tracks with both flat and hurdle races. It has a three furlong straight and a fairly testing up-hill finish.

Situated within walking distance of the historic market town, Beverley is a small, friendly track that proves very popular with the locals. A tough, right-handed circuit with an uphill climb to the finish of three furlongs, the course often finds out those with insufficient stamina levels. The five-furlong races often attract several decent juveniles that go on to prove themselves at a far higher level later in the season. With good facilities and a buzzing atmosphere, Beverley’s three evening meetings are particularly well attended.

Brighton racecourse is set at the top of the south-east coastal town and has wonderful views of the surrounding area. A quirky track, it is in the shape of a horse shoe, is about 1m4f in length and has some undulations, providing a unique test for the horses. Read our review of Brighton racecourse from our visit in 2012.

Situated between the Borders and the Lake District, Carlisle provides tourists with an ideal opportunity for a day out at the races. Stamina is an important factor here as the course is galloping in nature and the uphill finish offers a real sting in the tail.

n wooded parkland in a picturesque valley in the Lake District and is an ideal venue for a relaxing day at the races. The racecourse itself is blessed with character and, apart from having the longest run-in in the country, it can also boast the highest daily average attendance amongst National Hunt courses. Just over a mile in circumference, this sharp track undoubtedly favours those that race up with the pace.

A popular course, particularly with local trainers, Catterick provides a mix of Flat and National Hunt racing. A sharp, left-handed, oval track of just over a mile, the course lends itself well to the nimble individual that can lie handy. The atmosphere is friendly and meetings are well attended.

The home of National Hunt racing, Cheltenham offers the supreme test for chasers and hurdlers. The Cheltenham Festival each March provides one of the world’s greatest sporting spectacles featuring ten championship events including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle. In addition to the Festival, Cheltenham also stages twelve other quality days of racing and is a track that suits horses with a combination of guts and stamina.

Best known for its top-class National Hunt fixtures, Chepstow also offers a busy Flat programme. The track is a long, undulating, two-mile circuit that represents a real stamina test, particularly in soft ground which is often the case for jumps fixtures. The feature race of their season is the Coral Welsh National run over the Christmas holiday which features a host of top-class staying chasers.

where racing enthusiasts can elect to watch the action from viewpoints as diverse as the Roman walls overlooking the track or the modern County Stand. The three-day May meeting and the Sunday fixture in August attract huge crowds and it is advisable to arrive early. A round, tight, left-handed track, the action is never far away and the contours provide exhilarating, non-stop action.

Wonderfully perched in a wooded area of Clonmel town in County Tipperary, Clonmel Racecourse is a pleasure for fans of racing and is a proper test of a thoroughbred jumper during Autumn and winter months; with an undulating, 1m 2f long right-handed track with boasts a stiff uphill climb to the finish. A firm but fair assessment of a horse, where the best one usually comes to the fore. The feature race of the dual-purpose (flat/jumps) track is the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil chase, which has seen some great names pass the post first. Doran’s Pride won it four times, while the like of Sizing Europe, War Of Attrition, Beef Or Salmon and Edredon Bleu have all won the contest in recent years.

One of Ireland’s busier tracks, Cork racecourse has around twenty fixtures a year covering both flat and national hunt cards. Situated near Mallow, it is a popular venue within the horse racing community and is known to be a fair test for any horse. Formerly known as “Mallow” racecourse, it was established in 1924 but as is the case in many parts of Ireland, racing has held in the vicinity for hundreds of years. It is a flat, right-handed course of 1m 4f in length and also has a flat 6f track.

The Curragh in County Kildare is one of great horse racing tracks, not just in Ireland, but on the planet. Known as the home of and a breeding ground for Irish flat racing excellence, the Curragh hosts all five of Ireland’s classic races, including the Irish Derby, the Irish Oaks, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas and the Irish St. Ledger. Home to many thousands of horses and scores of training establishments in the surrounding area, the course is the beating heart of the Irish racing scene and indeed the community at the centre of it all. The main racetrack is a long, winding, right-handed two mile horse-shoe which has played host to a ‘who’s who’ of equine brilliance over the years. There is also a one mile straight course latching onto the main track. The Curragh has all of the facilities you’d expect from a world class racing venue and for trainers, jockeys and owners, it is where everybody wants to be.