Hereford Racecourse will host a seven-race National Hunt meeting on Monday, October 26, 2026, with the programme featuring hurdle contests for juvenile runners, novice mares and experienced runners across different classes and distances. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 12:48 PM, with the final race set for 4:00 PM. The day’s programme includes a conditional and amateur jockeys’ handicap hurdle, a Class 4 hurdle race, two divisions of a juvenile maiden hurdle, a handicap hurdle, a mares’ novices’ hurdle and a staying handicap hurdle.
The second race at 1:18 PM, the Class 4 Hurdle Race, carries the highest prize money of the afternoon at £10,000, alongside the juvenile maiden hurdle divisions at 1:48 PM and 2:18 PM, which each offer £11,000. The mares’ novices’ hurdle at 3:27 PM also has a prize fund of £10,000, making it one of the key contests on the card.
The meeting opens at 12:48 PM with the Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 5), which is part of the Racing Excellence Series and is restricted to conditional and amateur jockeys. The race covers 2 miles, 4 furlongs and 3 yards and is open to runners aged four and above, with an eligibility rating of 0–105. The contest offers £6,150 in prize money and will provide an opportunity for jockeys and runners to demonstrate their ability over the intermediate distance.
At 1:18 PM, attention turns to The Hurdle Race (Class 4), a contest for runners aged four and above over 2 miles, 4 furlongs and 3 yards. With £10,000 available in prize money, the race is expected to be an important part of the afternoon’s programme. The distance will require a balance of jumping accuracy, pace and stamina as runners negotiate the hurdles and work towards the finish.
The juvenile division of the meeting begins at 1:48 PM with The Champion Tipster Juvenile Maiden Hurdle Race (Class 4, Division I). Restricted to three-year-olds, the race will be run over 2 miles and 126 yards and offers £11,000 in prize money. The contest will give young runners an opportunity to gain experience over hurdles while testing their jumping technique and ability to maintain their rhythm throughout the race.
The second division, The Champion Tipster Juvenile Maiden Hurdle Race (Class 4, Division II), follows at 2:18 PM. It carries the same £11,000 prize fund and covers 2 miles and 126 yards, with eligibility restricted to three-year-old runners. The two divisions provide separate opportunities for juvenile horses to compete under similar conditions, with consistency, jumping ability and finishing speed likely to be important factors.
At 2:52 PM, the programme continues with The Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 4). Open to runners aged three and above with a rating of 0–110, the contest covers 2 miles and 126 yards and carries £7,700 in prize money. The handicap format brings runners with different ratings together under assigned weights, placing emphasis on how effectively each horse handles the distance and hurdles. A steady rhythm and a strong finish will be important over the course of the contest.
The sixth race at 3:27 PM is The Download Our App Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 4), which also serves as a qualifier for the Herring Queen Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Series. The race is open to mares aged four and above and will be run over 2 miles and 126 yards. With £10,000 in prize money, it represents a significant opportunity for novice mares to gain further experience and demonstrate their potential over hurdles. The contest will place particular importance on fluent jumping and the ability to sustain a competitive pace.
The meeting concludes at 4:00 PM with The Halo Leisure More Than Just a Gym Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 5). This staying contest covers 3 miles, 2 furlongs and 2 yards and is open to runners aged four and above with a rating of 0–100. The race offers £6,150 in prize money and is the longest event on the card. Stamina, energy management and consistent jumping are expected to be central to the challenge as the runners tackle the extended distance.
With seven races spanning different classes, age groups and distances, the Hereford meeting on October 26 promises a varied afternoon of National Hunt action. From the opening conditional and amateur jockeys’ contest to the juvenile divisions and mares’ novices’ hurdle, the programme offers opportunities for developing runners and more experienced competitors alike. The final staying handicap hurdle will bring the day to a close, completing an afternoon built around jumping skill, endurance and competition.
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