Field of racehorses and jockeys rounding the home turn — today's UK horse racing racecards
SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER 2026

Today's UK horse racing: racecards, runners and tips

1 meeting 7 races 49 runners

★ Today's top picks

Our picks from today's pattern races, biggest fields and richest handicaps, based on the betting market and recent form. Tap any card for the full race verdict, runner profiles and best odds.

4:20 Sedgefield
Double Digits
11/4
at Bet365
Download The www.betvickers.com App Handicap Hurdle Race
Race tips & odds →
3:50 Sedgefield
Zamond
10/3
at SmarketsSBK
Vickers Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle Race
Race tips & odds →
2:50 Sedgefield
Can't Resist It
13/5
at SmarketsSBK
The Roflow Specialist Ventilation & Dehumidification 'national…
Race tips & odds →
2:20 Sedgefield
Stay Hopeful
8/5
at SmarketsSBK
Celebrating 40 Years Of Vickers Bookmakers Conditional…
Race tips & odds →

★ Horses to watch today

The highest-rated runners declared today by Racing Post Rating (RPR) or Official Rating (OR). Class horses are running — these are the ones to follow.

★ Today at a glance

Sedgefield

7 races Good
1:50
Michael And Olivia Watson Novices' Hurdle Race (gbb Race)
Class 4 · 2m 4f · 3 runners
FAV
5/6
2:20
Celebrating 40 Years Of Vickers Bookmakers Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Steeple Chase
Class 5 · 2m 5f · 7 runners
FAV
8/5
2:50
The Roflow Specialist Ventilation & Dehumidification 'national Hunt' Maiden Hurdle Race (gbb Race)
Class 4 · 2m 1f · 8 runners
FAV
13/5
3:20
Bet Vickers Durham National Handicap Steeple Chase (gbb Race)
Class 2 · 3m 5f · 7 runners
FAV
6/4
3:50
Vickers Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle Race
Class 5 · 2m 4f · 8 runners
FAV
10/3
4:20
Download The www.betvickers.com App Handicap Hurdle Race
Class 3 · 2m 1f · 9 runners
FAV
11/4
4:50
Mw Civils & Groundworks Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 2 Elimination) (GBB Race)
Class 5 · 2m 1f · 5 runners
FAV
13/8
Tomorrow's racing →
Advance cards & early odds
Best odds today →
Biggest bookmaker price spreads

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How to read a horse racing racecard

Each race card lists the runners with their number, draw (on the Flat), silks, age, weight, jockey and trainer, and their recent form figures — the most recent run on the right. A 1 is a win, 0 means unplaced outside the first nine, P pulled up, F fell, U unseated rider and R refused. A dash separates seasons; a slash marks a longer absence.

Racecard abbreviations: C, D, CD and BF

C next to a horse's name means it has won at the course before, D that it has won over the distance, and CD both. BF marks a beaten favourite: a horse that started favourite last time and didn't win. The number after the name is usually the days since its last run.

Headgear codes explained

Headgear codes tell you about equipment: b blinkers, v visor, p cheekpieces, h hood and t tongue strap. A 1 after the code means first time. A first-time application often marks a trainer looking for improvement.

Weights, draw and official ratings

In handicaps, each horse carries a weight set by its official rating, where one rating point equals 1lb. Ratings are reviewed every week, and a horse usually needs three runs, or a win, before it gets a handicap mark. On the Flat, the draw is the stall a horse starts from; at tight tracks such as Chester, a low draw can be a big advantage.

From today's racecards to your bet

Open any race for the full odds comparison across 12 bookmakers, our verdict and the best price on the favourite. If you bet before the off, take the best price with a Best Odds Guaranteed bookmaker. Check back for non-runners and going changes, then follow the race on our results page as soon as it is official. Tomorrow's fields appear on tomorrow's racecards once declarations close.

Today's racecards: FAQs

What time does UK racing start today?

Most days begin around midday, with evening and all-weather meetings running until about 9pm. Each racecard on this page shows the off time of every race.

How do I read a racecard?

Read the form figures from left to right, with the most recent run on the right. Check the going, the draw, the weight and the C, D and BF symbols next to each horse, then the jockey and trainer.

What does C D mean in horse racing?

C means the horse has won at the course before, D that it has won over the distance, and CD that it has won over the distance at this course.

What does BF mean on a racecard?

BF stands for beaten favourite: the horse started favourite on its last run and was beaten.

What does the number after a horse's name mean?

It is usually days since the horse last ran. A long absence can mean a horse needs the run, or that it has been freshened up for a target.

Which bookmakers offer Best Odds Guaranteed today?

Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral and Unibet start BOG at 8am, Betway at 9am, and Virgin Bet, QuinnBet and LiveScore Bet at 10am, all on UK and Irish racing, with conditions at some.