Chepstow Racecourse will host an exciting seven-race flat fixture on Saturday, August 29, with the evening programme beginning at 4:40pm and continuing through to 7:45pm. The new Saturday fixture forms part of the Bank Holiday weekend programme, with racing scheduled across a mixture of sprint and middle-distance contests. The card features races for two-year-olds as well as older horses, offering a broad test of speed, stamina and consistency. The official racecourse schedule confirms seven races between 4:40pm and 7:45pm, with the meeting taking place on the turf.
Chepstow Racecards 29 August 2026
The meeting is expected to provide an engaging evening of racing, beginning with a five-furlong novice contest before moving through several nursery and handicap events. The later races increase in distance, culminating in a 1m2f apprentice handicap. Conditions are particularly important at Chepstow, where the racecard information lists the ground as good to firm, with some updates also noting the possibility of softer patches following light rain.
The highest-value race on the Chepstow card is the 5:45pm Novice Stakes, carrying a total prize fund of £12,000. The Class 3 contest is restricted to two-year-olds and will be run over 7f 16y, making it one of the most significant races of the evening in terms of both prize money and the quality of competition expected. The race provides young horses with an important opportunity to gain experience over a longer distance than the opening sprint and could highlight several developing prospects for the remainder of the season.
The 5:45pm contest also stands out because novice races can bring together horses at very different stages of development. Some may already have racecourse experience, while others could be making their first competitive appearance. Over seven furlongs, tactical positioning and the ability to sustain speed become increasingly important, particularly on a quick surface. The race therefore promises to be one of the key sporting highlights of the evening and should attract considerable attention from followers of two-year-old racing.
The opening race gets underway at 4:40pm with the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Novice Stakes. The Class 4 event is for two-year-olds and is contested over 5f 16y. The supplied racecard lists a £10,000 prize fund.
As the first race of the evening, it provides an early opportunity to assess how the Chepstow track is riding. The short distance places considerable emphasis on early speed, balance and a strong finish. Several horses with limited experience could also make this an interesting contest for development.
The second race is scheduled for 5:15pm and is another five-furlong contest for two-year-olds. The Class 5 Nursery Handicap carries a £8,000 prize fund and is restricted to horses rated between 0 and 75.
With young horses continuing to learn and develop, this type of race can produce closely matched competition. The five-furlong distance should encourage a fast pace, while the handicap conditions are designed to bring horses of broadly similar ability together.
At 5:45pm, attention turns to the evening’s richest race, the Class 3 EBF Novice Stakes. The contest covers 7f 16y and is open to two-year-olds, with £12,000 available across the race.
The additional two furlongs compared with the opening races could make a significant difference. Horses will need to combine pace with the ability to maintain their effort over the closing stages. The contest should provide an interesting indication of which youngsters are progressing quickly during the second half of the season.
The fourth race begins at 6:15pm and covers the same 7f 16y distance. The Class 6 Nursery Handicap is restricted to two-year-olds rated 0-65 and has a £7,000 prize fund.
The move into a lower-rated nursery contest brings together another group of developing youngsters. Seven furlongs gives the runners more time to settle before the final stages, making race positioning and stamina important factors.
The 6:45pm Handicap Stakes is the first race of the evening for older horses. It is a Class 6 event over 7f 16y for horses aged four and above, with ratings from 46-65 and a £7,000 prize fund.
Unlike the earlier two-year-old contests, this race features horses with considerably more experience. Their previous performances over similar distances and on comparable ground could be significant as they attempt to produce another consistent effort.
The sixth race takes place at 7:15pm and represents the longest contest on the programme. The Class 6 Handicap Stakes is run over 1m4f and is open to horses aged three and above, with a £7,000 prize fund and a rating range of 46-60.
The extended distance introduces a completely different challenge. Rather than relying purely on speed, runners will need to conserve energy and maintain a steady rhythm throughout the race. The final stages could prove particularly demanding on the Chepstow turf.
The evening concludes at 7:45pm with the Apprentice Handicap Stakes. The Class 6 race covers 1m2f and is open to three-year-olds and older horses rated 46-55. The contest carries a £7,000 prize fund.
As the final race, it brings the seven-race programme to a close with another test of stamina and tactical judgement. The apprentice riders will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in a competitive middle-distance contest.
With seven races spanning distances from 5f 16y to 1m4f, Chepstow’s August 29 fixture offers a varied evening of flat racing. The £12,000 Class 3 novice stakes at 5:45pm is the financial highlight, while the opening sprints and later staying contests provide contrasting challenges. With the Bank Holiday weekend adding to the occasion, the Saturday evening meeting promises a lively programme for racegoers and racing enthusiasts alike.
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