This update is intended to inform participants of the key changes that will be delivered across Programme Book 1 in 2026, as well as any other significant changes to the wider programme. 

Both Codes 

Out Of the Handicap Limit

A change has been made to the Rules of Racing which will prevent horses from running in handicap races from 15lbs or more out of the weights, which will come into effect across all Flat and Jump handicap races from Wednesday 7 January. 

Horses with a rating of 31 or lower on the Flat. While ratings change weekly, there are currently 29 horses on the Flat with a rating of 31 or lower. These horses will no longer be able to run in a handicap due to the bottom ratings in Flat races being set at 46. This means such horses would have to run in Weight for Age races, including Sellers and Claimers, Novice and Maiden races (should they be eligible), or 0-50 Classified Stakes, which are programmed from January to March and June to August. 

 Horses with a rating of 32-45 on the Flat. For race qualification purposes, a horse’s actual rating will be used to determine how far out of the handicap they are. Where that actual rating means that they are less than 15lbs out of the handicap, they will continue to be weighted in the race equivalent to a rating of 45. 

 Horses with a rating of 59 or lower over Jumps. There are currently six Jump horses with a Rating of 59 or lower, five hurdlers and one chaser. These horses would be unable to run in a 0-100 handicap, accounting for the usual 26lbs weight range, if the topweight is rated 100. However, should the topweight be rated lower than 100, then they may be eligible to run. These horses could potentially also run in Selling and Claiming races, and/or consider becoming qualified to run in Hunter Chases. 

We will monitor the limit over the next 12 months to consider whether or not it has been set at the right level, taking into account any further data that tells us more about the impact of introducing such a limit for the first time. 

Flat Programme 

1. Divisions

A reminder that the division threshold is been reduced for All-Weather Flat races only to allow them to divide at 16 declarations. 

This applies until the Flat Turf season resumes on Saturday 28th March, 2026 

2. Trial of Earlier Finishes

Working alongside licensed personnel (the National Trainers Federation, National Association of Racing Staff and the Professional Jockeys Association), a trial has been agreed for the first nine weeks of the year, which will see two floodlit fixtures each week finishing by 20:00, as opposed to the normal 20:30. 

At the end of the trial there will be a full review. This will allow the industry to measure the benefits to participants of slightly earlier finish times, particularly in terms of supporting wellbeing, alongside an analysis of any financial impact, such as potential diminished returns to racing from reduced betting turnover. 

3. Rider-Restricted Fixtures

The following Fixtures will be rider-restricted, limited to those jockeys licensed as Flat jockeys in GB and who rode 30 or fewer winners in British Flat races in 2025. 

A list of eligible riders will be published on the Racing Admin website on 1 January, 2026. Only riders from this list are eligible to ride at this fixture. 

– Sunday 15th February – Newcastle 

– Monday 16th February – Wolverhampton 

– Tuesday 17th February – Wolverhampton 

– Wednesday 18th February – Kempton Park 

– Thursday 19th February – Newcastle 

Jump Programme 

1. Novice Chase Programme

The Novice Chasing programme will shift towards a predominantly Novice, as opposed to Beginner, programme, as the Chasing Excellence races continue to support the development of our novice chasers. 

There will be a further increase in Minimum Values as Class 3 Novice and Beginner contests rise to a minimum of £15,000, with Class 2s increasing to £20,000 – reflecting the additional investment being made in supporting the future of quality Jump horses 

2. Requirements for Grade 1 Novices’ and Juvenile hurdles

Horses are only permitted to run in Grade 1 Novices’ and Juvenile Hurdle races if they have been allotted a rating or an assessment of 110 or more by the BHA Handicapper, taking account of races run up to and including the day prior to confirmation. 

This either requires horses to have a published handicap mark of 110 or higher, or for horses which have only run once or twice, have been assessed by the BHA handicappers as having met or exceeded the required level of performance. 

Any horse that has not done so will be removed from the race at Confirmation Stage. 

3. Festival Handicap Qualification

Replicating the approach in 2025, the number of qualifying runs required to compete in non-Novice or Juvenile handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival in 2026 will be higher than the General Rule covering Class 1 handicaps, which requires 4 runs over hurdles for novices to run in handicap hurdles and 3 runs over fences for novices to run in handicap steeple chases. 

For the Cheltenham Festival only, the requirements are: 

– for a minimum of 5 runs over hurdles for any horse (novice or non-novice) to run in non-novice handicap hurdles 

– a minimum of 4 runs over fences for any horse (novice or non-novice) to run in non-novice handicap chases. 

This will be reflected in the race conditions for Class 1 non-Novice or Juvenile Handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival. 

The Novices’ and Juvenile handicaps will continue to be three runs as per the regular handicapping rules and reflected in the race conditions. 

4. Changes to the Go North Series

In 2026 the Go North Series Finals will be run for increased values, with each race worth at least £40k (up from £30k in 2025). This will be increased further to £45k in 2027 and £50k per final by 2028. These higher values aim to attract more runners and strengthen northern Jump racing, including through incentivising the owning and training of horses in the region. 

To help enhance the performance of the series, both in terms of competitiveness, but also in attracting a high percentage of Northern-based runners, the following changes to the programme have been agreed following a wider review: 

– A new ‘Forgive ’n ’Forget’ Novices’ Handicap Chase Series introduced. The qualifiers for the Forgive ‘n Forget will be Class 4 and 5 Novices’ Handicap Chases in the North. The final will be run over 2m 5f 133y at Kelso. 

– A new ‘Night Nurse’ Handicap Hurdle Series introduced. The qualifiers for the ‘Night Nurse’ will be made up of Class 2 – 4 Juvenile and Novices’/Maiden WFA Hurdle races in the North. The final will be for 4YO+ and run over 2m 3f 171y at Musselburgh. 

– The ‘Lady Buttons’ Mares’ Hurdle Series and ‘Grey Bomber’ Juvenile Hurdle Series have both been removed. 

– The ‘Jodami’ NHF Series has been removed, though the intention is to keep a valuable stand-alone NHF on Kelso’s Go North card. 

The full programme of Go North Series finals, which will each be worth a minimum of £40k and take place during finals weekend across Musselburgh, Kelso and Carlisle between 20 and 22 March 2026 is as follows: 

– Sea Pigeon Handicap Hurdle – 2m, Musselburgh 

– Night Nurse Handicap Hurdle – 2m 4f, Musselburgh 

– Brindisi Breeze Handicap Hurdle – 3m, Musselburgh 

– Cab On Target Handicap Hurdle – 2m4f, Kelso 

– Forgive ‘n Forget Novices’ Handicap Chase – 2m 5f, Kelso 

– One Man Handicap Chase – 2m, Carlisle 

– Monet’s Garden Handicap Chase – 2m4f, Carlisle 

– Red Rum Handicap Chase – 3m, Carlisle 

If you have any queries with regards Programme Book 1, or indeed any other race planning matters, please contact the BHA Racing Department via: 

– The Race Planning Forum on NRAS 

– [email protected] 

– 0207 152 0050