The Racing Horse presents its Chepstow Racecourse Template for Tuesday, 27 January 2026. The meeting features a 7‑race card, with the going currently forecast to be soft. Significant overnight rainfall is expected, so a final update will be issued at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow once the ground conditions and any non‑runners have been confirmed.

ALL the CHEPSTOW WINNERS can be found HERE!

CHEPSTOW FAVOURITES (5 seasons)
Non-handicap                   Handicap
Hurdle 74-143   52%   +7.03    38-131   29%   -28.47
Chase  6-13     46%   -3.09    55-165   33%   -13.17
NHF    19-50    38%   -6.12    0-0
TOTAL  99-206   48%   -2.18    93-296   31%   -41.64

TOP 5 TRAINERS at Chepstow (last 5 seasons)  +/-   E
Paul Nicholls (23%)  44-211  21%   -89.12    -2%   0
Evan Williams (11%)  26-260  10%   -41.79    -1%   5
Dan Skelton (18%)    20-183  11%   -96.47    -7%   3
Sam Thomas (21%)     18-78   23%   +19.67    +2%   2
Fergal O'Brien (18%) 17-125  14%   -26.77    -4%   0

TOP 5 JOCKEYS at Chepstow (last 5 seasons)   +/-   R
Harry Cobden (23%)   38-160  24%   -43.62    +1%   0
Ben Jones (15%)      23-107  21%   +62.05    +6%   2
Adam Wedge (11%)     19-167  11%   -36.02    +0%   0
Gavin Sheehan (18%)  18-83   22%   +16.61    +4%   1
Sam T-Davies (15%)   18-122  15%   -42.96    +0%   2

Sean Bowen (21%)     16-112  14%   -28.24    -7%   3
James Bowen (17%)     7-62   11%   -29.00    -6%   4

TOP 5 OWNERS at Chepstow (last 5 seasons)    +/-   E
Walters Plant (21%)  12-50   24%   +13.10    +3%   2  
David Brace (13%)     8-36   22%   +18.25    +9%   0
John P McManus (18%)  8-66   12%   -16.18    -6%   1
William Rucker (10%)  6-51   12%   -19.50    +2%   2
Brocade Racing (22%)  5-30   17%    -5.75    -5%   0

COURSE: Record times for Chepstow are very quick, which shows how slick it can be when the ground is fast, but horses can finish strung out like washing when it gets soft. Punters really must take note of conditions then, if they’re having a bet, because horses with stamina limitations can get home when the going is right for them, while it can be a real slog when it’s heavy. The other things to consider seriously are the undulations and the downhill run from the last. If you walk round the course, for example, you’ll be aware that, from several places out in the country, you can’t see the stands. The run-in, on the other hand, is quite steeply downhill, very quick on fast ground, and that’s why you often see horses make a mistake at the final jump (Mick Fitzgerald)

FAVOURITES: Over the past 5 seasons winning favourites have scored 192-502 for 38.25% (43.85) so around +5% above the national average. There is a clear edge to be had at Chepstow for those with the patience. In non-handicap hurdles, winning favourites show 74-153 for a massive 52% and a level stake profit of +£7.03 to a £1 stake at SP. Just a modicum of filtration could improve those figures significantly. Tomorrow there are 2 non-handicap hurdle races.

TRAINERS: Nicky Henderson saddles Thewoodcorner for Owners Group 151, and the stable arrives in respectable form, returning seven winners from thirty runners (23%) over the past fortnight. However, Henderson’s record at Chepstow is notably weaker: just four winners from forty‑four runners (9%) in the last five years, a figure that sits twelve percentage points below his overall strike rate. It is also his lowest return at any of the forty British racecourses to which he sends runners, excluding Sedgefield where he has had only a single representative. This pattern does not suggest Chepstow is a track where his team typically excels.

Thewoodcorner brings a degree of promise, having won a French bumper on soft ground, a performance that points to both stamina and an aptitude for testing conditions. His sole hurdles start came in a competitive Class 2 at Sandown, where he was well supported in the market but could manage only sixth. The drop to Class 4 company should be more suitable, and Henderson’s juveniles often take a meaningful step forward on their second outing over hurdles. Thewoodcorner remains a work in progress, but his profile indicates that further improvement is likely with experience, particularly in conditions that should play to his strengths.

Sam Thomas (21%) scores 23% at Chepstow and he has 2 runners tomorrow including PALACIO 2.37 & JUSTALARGEWHISKY 4.22. Both horses are owned by Walters Plant Hire and have place chances at least.

Dan Skelton (18%) has 3 runners including MISTERDOC 1.30, WEST TO THE BRIDGE 2.20 & BIG JOHN OLLIE 4.22. His national average at this course is -7% and a concern for serious bettors.

JOCKEYS: Ben Jones (16%) scores 21% at Chepstow and has 2 rides in BOSTON JOE 1.00 & STAR OF DIAMONDS 3.47.

James Bowen (17%) has some interesting rides and should be in the money from  THEWOODCORNER 1.30, FRENCH EMPEROR 2.02, JUBY BALL 2.37 & THE GREY MAN 3.47 

OWNERS: Walters Plant Hire (21%) are leading owners at Chepstow and have the 2 runners trained by Sam Thomas.

William Rucker (10%) has 2 runners both trained by Evan Williams, they are JUBY BALL 2.37 & THE QUANT 4.22

J P McManus (18%) has a single runner in STENCIL 2.27

GREEN FLAG: Evan Williams (11%) sends five runners to Chepstow tomorrow as he bids to secure his 100th winner at his local track. His horses are renowned for their toughness, longevity, and reliability — trademarks of this consistently well‑managed Welsh yard. His representatives on the card are: Out of Focus (1.00), Boyles Hill (2.02), Juby Ball (2.37), The Magus (3.47), and The Quant (4.22). Juby Ball has to give weight to Stencil but the official ratings for this race are subject to context, pertinence and relevance, and we doubt there is 10lbs between.

Williams’ overall record at Chepstow stands at 99 winners from 880 runners (11%), supported by 92 seconds, 97 thirds, and 94 fourth‑placed finishes, with total prize money of £1,104,123. This season he is 1‑29 (3%) at the course, though that return does not fully reflect several instances of misfortune.

Recent form provides encouragement: Williams has sent out 4 winners from his last 19 runners (21%), with three of those successes coming at 16/1, 20/1, and 11/1. His most credible chance of adding to that tally tomorrow appears to be Juby Ball (2.37).

Although the ratings favour the current market leader, Stencil, it is worth highlighting that Stencil has not won since October 2024 and is still a relatively lightly framed 5yo—a 4‑year‑old until just 27 days ago—now being asked to jump fences on a stamina‑demanding track. By contrast, the Williams‑trained 7yo should possess greater physical maturity and resilience, attributes that are likely to prove valuable in the expected testing conditions.

Juby Ball brings recent winning form, is already a course winner, and his pedigree offers further reassurance: his sire, Nom De D’La, won all three of his races on very heavy ground. With heavy conditions anticipated tomorrow and a genuine stamina test on the cards, these factors combine to strengthen the case for Juby Ball.

James Bowen rides and is 2-11 for 18% for the trainer. Of course, Stencil could still win, but the 8/13 currently on offer looks far too short and the perceived value is with the Evan Williams trained. TRH had priced this race up closer to 10/11 Stencil 6/5 Juby Ball 8/1 Palacio 100/1 Bar for a 10% overround.

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CHEPSTOW RACECOURSE - WHAT'S ON

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