Wetherby Racecourse will stage an exciting seven-race National Hunt programme on Saturday, 31 October 2026, featuring a strong mix of hurdle races and steeplechases. The meeting includes several important contests for horses aged four and above, with the prestigious Charlie Hall Steeple Chase serving as the highlight of the afternoon. The programme begins at 12:35 PM and concludes at 4:03 PM, offering a varied schedule across different distances and race categories.
The feature event of the day is the Charlie Hall Steeple Chase at 2:55 PM, carrying a total prize fund of £100,000. The Class 1 Grade 2 contest is open to horses aged five and above and will be run over three miles and 57 yards. It is one of the principal races on the Wetherby calendar and is expected to attract considerable attention from National Hunt racing followers.
The action begins at 12:35 PM with the Novices’ Hurdle Race, a Class 3 contest and qualifier for the Go North Night Nurse Series. Open to horses aged four and above, the race will be run over two miles and 12 yards, with £16,500 in prize money. The opening contest will provide an opportunity for developing hurdlers to demonstrate their ability and make progress in their careers.
At 1:10 PM, the Handicap Steeple Chase will take place over two miles, three furlongs and 97 yards. The Class 3 contest is open to horses aged four and above with ratings between 0 and 125. With £20,000 available in prize money, the race should provide a competitive test of jumping ability, speed and stamina.
The programme continues at 1:45 PM with the Montagu Mares’ Hurdle Race, a Class 1 Listed contest worth £30,000. Restricted to mares aged four and above, the race will be run over two miles and 12 yards. The event provides a valuable opportunity for mares to compete at Listed level, with the short distance placing emphasis on pace, balance and accurate jumping.
At 2:18 PM, attention turns to the Grade 2 hurdle contest registered as the West Yorkshire Hurdle. This Class 1 race offers £64,000 in prize money and will be run over three miles and 50 yards. Open to horses aged four and above, the longer-distance event will test stamina and consistency, making it one of the major attractions before the day’s feature steeplechase.
The Charlie Hall Steeple Chase follows at 2:55 PM, bringing together the meeting’s highest prize fund of £100,000. The Class 1 Grade 2 race covers three miles and 57 yards and is open to horses aged five and above. The demanding distance and jumping obstacles will require a combination of endurance, sound jumping technique and tactical judgement. Its position in the programme makes it the central attraction of the Wetherby meeting.
The penultimate race is scheduled for 3:30 PM, when the Handicap Hurdle Race gets underway. This Class 3 contest is open to horses aged three and above, with ratings between 0 and 130. Run over two miles and 12 yards, the race carries £17,500 in prize money and is expected to provide another competitive hurdle challenge.
The meeting concludes at 4:03 PM with the Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 4 contest and qualifier for the Go North Red Rum Series. Open to horses aged four and above with ratings between 0 and 120, the race will cover three miles and 57 yards. With £16,500 in prize money, the final event will test the stamina and jumping skills of its participants over the extended distance.
Overall, Wetherby’s Saturday programme combines developing talent, mares’ competition, longer-distance hurdles and established steeplechase contests. With seven races scheduled throughout the afternoon and the £100,000 Charlie Hall Steeple Chase at the centre of the card, the meeting promises an engaging day of National Hunt action.
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