Taunton Racecourse is often dominated by the leading, local trainers especially Paul Nicholls who runs many of his good horses here. Being a course with two long straights and two sharp bends, Taunton plays to the strengths of handy types. A country track through and through, the venue is a very popular with the locals and exudes a friendly atmosphere.

A mile and a quarter, oval track, Thirsk most definitely favours those horses can lie handy as the ground often rides on the fast side and the course dips just before the final furlong. On this basis, big, galloping types who take longer to find their full stride are at a marked disadvantage. The Classic Trial in April and the Thirsk Hunt Cup in May are the two most significant races staged at the track.

Thurles is a no-frills racecourse in county Tipperary which attracts a core of proper horse racing enthusiasts who enjoy quality, competitive racing at a firm but fair course. The track is stiff test, right-handed and undulating and there is no question that stamina and ability are needed in tandem to win here. Indeed, many champions have made this their happy hunting ground and the like of Native Upmanship and Rule Supreme both loved the place. On the flat, Melbourne Cup winner Vintage Crop won his debut race at Thurles and went on to achieve greatness.

The people of Tipperary are well-known for their love of all things sport, especially horse racing and the county is home to arguably the world’s finest racing establishment at Ballydoyle where Aiden O’Brien trains for Coolmore. Tipperary is a popular Grade 2 track which has been functioning from its current location since 1916. It used to be called “Limerick Junction”, owing to its literal location, but that name was changed in 1986. This place is a breeding ground for young talent, particularly from Aiden O’Brien’s stable which has sent champions such as High Chaparrel, Hawk Wing and Dylan Thomas here to race as 2yos. The track is known for a high-quality mixed (flat & jumps) card in October known as “Super Sunday” which attracts the best around and throughout the season there is consistent mix of Listed to Graded feature races.

Located on the east coast of Ireland in the county of Waterford, Tramore racecourse is a Grade 2 rated track which plays host to both flat and jump racing throughout the year, including a festival in August which is the perfect way to spend a holiday by the sea and enjoy the four days, which includes three evening meetings. A popular course among the locals, its situation in a seaside resort habitually attracts the racing crowd from nearby counties and of course holiday makers from home and away. The track itself is quirky. Right handed and undulating, it is a mile long and has a sharp uphill climb to the winning line.

Uttoxeter has re-invented itself in recent years as one of the UK’s most progressive tracks, with the Midlands National Meeting in March attracting many top-class performers. Front runners often do well here given the twists and turns the runners have to negotiate. The course attracts some of the better stables and is a standing dish of the national hunt season.

Warwick Racecourse is a popular dual-purpose course which has racing through the year. The flat track is flat, left-handed and quite sharp despite it being 1m6f in length. Over the jumps the course is a furlong shorter and has a fairly short run-in of just over a furlong from the final obstacle. Being a diverse course it also has a 5f chute for sprint events and provides a platform for all walks of equine life.

The leading National Hunt track in Yorkshire, Wetherby’s two feature meetings are the early November fixture which features the Charlie Hall Chase and their Christmas Meeting that plays host to the Castleford Chase. This left-handed, slightly undulating track is a particularly good test for novice chasers and has featured a number of course specialists. A top class track and a stalwart fixture during the winter months.

Generally considered to be a galloping track, it is 1m4f long and right-handed and provides a solid test for the horses and riders. Usually attracting healthy fields under both flat and jump codes, Wexford is another of Ireland’s popular tracks and is situated on the east coast. The south east of Ireland is known to receive a lot more sunshine than the west, which makes for a happy hunting ground for racing regulars in the area. The course has great provisions for grandstand visitors and hospitality guests. This part of Ireland is renowned more for its many world class golf courses, but there is a strong feeling toward the racing culture too, and Wexford encapsulates that fact very well.

Although Wincanton does not have the same profile as the major National Hunt tracks, it offers a high standard of sport. Front runners are particularly well suited to the steeplechase course as the three fences in the short home straight, give hold-up horses little time to recover lost ground. The racecourse is particularly well attended on the Festival Trials Day in February and their Boxing Day fixture. Paul Nicholls does particularly weell here as it is a local track to his Ditcheat yard, but if your horse is good enough, bring it to Wincanton

Set in 165 acres of beautiful Berkshire countryside and located on the banks of the River Thames, Windsor is best known for its lively summer evening fixtures that take place on thirteen consecutive Mondays. Windsor is one of only two UK courses with a figure-of-eight circuit and therefore it tends to play into the hands of the well-balanced, nimble individual. The course is becoming known for its quality of maiden race and indeed for a consistently vibrant handicapping scene.

Wolverhampton racecourse been redeveloped into an exciting leisure venue providing over fifty fixtures each year. Meetings take place on the all-weather surface and the Saturday evening fixtures under the floodlights are particularly popular. A very tight, oval track, nimble, handy types go particularly well here.

Situated on the banks of the River Severn in the city centre, Worcester is one of only a handful of courses that offers racegoers the opportunity to witness National Hunt racing throughout the summer. Often used by trainers to introduce their better novice hurdlers and chasers, the course rarely fails to attract decent-size fields and therefore delivers competitive racing.

Known as ‘The Knavesmire’, racing has been staged over this turf since 1731 and is without question one of the most attractive racecourses in the world. The highlight of each season is the prestigious three-day Ebor Meeting in August which features three Group 1 races. The Dante Meeting in May, also over three days, is another immensely popular fixture featuring a mix of classic trials, pattern races for older horses and top-class handicaps.