The Racing Horse presents its Chepstow Racecourse Template for Saturday, 21 February 2026. The meeting features a 7‑race card, and the going is expected to soft. There is drizzle expected through the night and during racing so we are expecting the going to ride attritional, especially over longer trips. Stamina, balance, and proven mud form matter more here than at most tracks.

ALL the CHEPSTOW WINNERS (21 February 2026)

Chepstow is one of those tracks where the moment you understand the rhythm of the place, everything else starts to fall into place.

CHEPSTOW FAVOURITES (5 seasons)
Non-handicap                   Handicap
Hurdle 77-147   52%   +7.39    38-136   28%   -33.47
Chase  7-14     50%   -1.89    58-168   35%    -9.68
NHF    19-51    37%   -7.12    0-0
TOTAL  103-212  49%   -1.63    96-304   32%   -43.15

TOP 5 TRAINERS at Chepstow (last 5 seasons)  +/-   E
Paul Nicholls (23%)  44-211  21%   -89.12    -2%   2
Evan Williams (11%)  27-271  10%   -51.17    -1%   6
Dan Skelton (18%)    22-193  11%   -96.72    -7%   3  
Sam Thomas (21%)     18-80   23%   +17.67    +2%   0
Fergal O'Brien (18%) 17-126  13%   -27.77    -4%   1

TOP 5 JOCKEYS at Chepstow (last 5 seasons)   +/-   R
Harry Cobden (23%)   38-160  24%   -43.62    +1%   0  
Ben Jones (15%)      24-113  21%   +57.67    +6%   0
Adam Wedge (11%)     19-167  11%   -36.02    +0%   0
Gavin Sheehan (18%)  18-84   21%   +15.61    +4%   0
Sean Bowen (21%)     18-120  15%   -30.49    -6%   0

TOP 5 OWNERS at Chepstow (last 5 seasons)    +/-   E
Walters Plant (21%)  12-52   23%   +11.10    +2%   0
J P McManus (18%)     9-67   13%   -14.98    +5%   1
David Brace (13%)     8-37   22%   +17.25    +9%   0
William Rucker (10%)  7-55   11%   -21.88    +1%   2
Brocade Racing (22%)  5-30   17%    -5.75    -5%   1

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 199-516 for 38.57% (-44.78)) 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 77-147 for a massive 52% and a level stake profit of +£7.39 to a £1 stake at SP. Just a modicum of filtration could improve those figures significantly. Today the first two races are non-handicaps!

TRAINERS: Rebecca Curtis (12%) sends just one runner to Chepstow and looks likely to score with BANDE ORGANISEE 5.18. This €125,000 4yo Bande gelding showed clear promise starting out under Rules when 3 of 11 in a C&D bumper in November. That form has worked out notably well so has obvious claims. Freddie Keighley (14%) rides, claims 7lb and is 0-3 at the course.

Olly Murphy (21%) sends 3 runners to the meeting, and all of them warrant a second look: MISTER URSUS 1.40, AMERICAN MIKE 2.55  &  DOUBLE OBAN 4.13. Murphy appears particularly enthusiastic about Mister Ursus when speaking to his Owner Group shareholders, though whether the current 6/4 represents genuine value is open to debate. Kevin Brogan (10%) takes the ride.

There are a couple of cold trainers to report. John & Rhys Flint (8%) are really in the doldrums showing 0-38 over a period of 512 days, while Matt Sheppard (13%) is 0-23 over 72 days.

JOCKEYS: None of Chepstow’s top five jockeys are riding at this meeting, but one rider does stand out on our results board and deserves consideration. Toby McCain‑Mitchell has appeared four times in our positive returns and could be significant again today. His rides include RISK DE PLUIE 2.17, GOWEL ROAD 2.55, GLYNN BRAE 4.13, SOMETHINGTOSOMEONE 4.48 & RAMBLINGAMBLINMAN 5.18. McCain‑Mitchell claims 5lb, strikes at a healthy 18%, and his Chepstow record is particularly eye‑catching: from just 8 rides, he has produced 2 wins for 25%, 3 seconds, and 1 third. He could easily shape the meeting so well worth factoring his rides into calculations for this meeting.

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CHEPSTOW RACECOURSE - WHAT'S ON

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