Jumps season bursts into life with blockbuster races and returning stars - here's how you can enjoy it in person

The jumps season bursts into life with a bonanza of top races in Britain and Ireland, with major meetings at Cheltenham, Newbury, Punchestown and Fairyhouse.

November begins with the first Grade 1s of the season with Down Royal's Champion Chase followed by Haydock's Betfair Chase, before further top-flight races are staged at the end of the month.

Whether you plan to attend a big meeting or one of the smaller ones, we've gathered up all the information you need to make the most of your next day at the races.

November racing highlights in Britain and Ireland

England

North

BETFAIR CHASE, HAYDOCK: The first Grade 1 of the British jumps season is traditionally a starting point for Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders and the quality runs through the card with a valuable stayers' handicap hurdle and Grade 2 novices' hurdle. Saturday, November 22 (Tickets)

FIGHTING FIFTH HURDLE, NEWCASTLE: The Grade 1 is contested by the top hurdlers in the game, many harbouring Champion Hurdle aspirations, with further quality provided by the Rehearsal Chase. Saturday, November 29 (Tickets)

South

The Coral Gold Cup will attract a big crowd to NewburyCredit: Edward Whitaker

NOVEMBER MEETING DAY ONE, CHELTENHAM: The season moves up a gear as jump racing's spiritual home starts three brilliant days with a card featuring the Shloer Chase and Hyde Novices' Hurdle. Friday, November 14 (Tickets)

NOVEMBER MEETING DAY TWO, CHELTENHAM: The first big handicap of the jumps season, the Paddy Power Gold Cup, is the centrepiece of a pulsating day, which also features trials for the Arkle and Triumph Hurdle. Saturday, November 15 (Tickets)

NOVEMBER MEETING DAY THREE, CHELTENHAM: The £100,000 Greatwood Hurdle is the showpiece of the final day, supported by a valuable 3m3f handicap chase. Sunday, November 16 (Tickets)

ASCOT HURDLE, ASCOT: The Grade 2 feature attracts some of the best hurdlers from Britain and Ireland and is joined by the Grade 2 1965 Chase. Saturday, November 22 (Tickets)

CORAL GOLD CUP WEEKEND DAY ONE, NEWBURY: A real highlight of the winter as the two-day meeting kicks off with the Long Distance Hurdle and John Francome Novices' Chase. Friday, November 28 (Tickets)

CORAL GOLD CUP WEEKEND DAY TWO, NEWBURY: The feature Coral Gold Cup is a historic and treasured winter prize and is joined by the Gerry Feilden on a superb card. Saturday, November 29 (Tickets)

Ireland

The Punchestown crowd in thrall to Willie Mullins: the champion trainer is sure to send some big guns there at the end of the monthCredit: Patrick McCann

BARBERSTOWN CASTLE CHASE, NAAS: The Grade 3 headlines a fascinating meeting with the Listed Brown Lad Handicap and Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle other notable races. Sunday, November 9 (Tickets)

NAVAN FESTIVAL, DAY ONE: Two brilliant days at the track begins with the Fortria Chase and Lismullen Hurdle. Saturday, November 15 (Tickets)

NAVAN FESTIVAL, DAY TWO: All eyes will be on the Troytown Chase on a card also containing the Monksfield Novice Hurdle. Sunday, November 16 (Tickets)

PREMIERE WEEKEND DAY ONE, PUNCHESTOWN: Ireland's best two-mile hurdlers battle it out in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle on a sensational fixture including the Florida Pearl Novice Chase. Saturday, November 22 (Tickets)

PREMIERE WEEKEND DAY TWO, PUNCHESTOWN: The Grade 1 John Durkan Chase tops the bill with the Craddockstown Novice Chase among the supporting acts. Sunday, November 23 (Tickets)

WINTER FESTIVAL DAY ONE, FAIRYHOUSE: A top-class weekend at the course kicks off with a Grade 3 hurdle for the two-milers and a Listed handicap chase. Saturday, November 29 (Tickets)

WINTER FESTIVAL DAY TWO, FAIRYHOUSE: An exceptional card is headlined by a pair of Grade 1s – the Hatton's Grace Hurdle and Drinmore Novice Chase – with the Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle adding to the quality. Sunday, November 30 (Tickets)

November racing fixtures in Britain and Ireland

Bargain hunt: this month's best offers for racing tickets

* Naas is offering early bird tickets at €15 for its jumps season opener on November 9, featuring the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase.

* Market Rasen is extending its £10 racedays to include both the track's fixtures on November 13 and 26.

* Warwick has a big sale throughout November where you can save up to 50 per cent on the admission price for our fixtures from January to June, including Classic Chase day in January and Kingmaker Chase day in February.

Wetherby: the Paddock Punters' Club gives discounted entry for membersCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

* Wetherby has set up the Paddock Punters' Club, which unlocks discounted entry for regular visitors to the paddock enclosure. Costing £40 to join and available to book on the track's website, it provides a 50 per cent adult or concession discount for every fixture at the track (the discount can be applied retrospectively).

* Go Racing In Yorkshire (GRIY) is selling a Triple Jumps Pass, granting grandstand admission for the three January fixtures at Catterick on Wednesday 21, Wetherby on Thursday 22 and Doncaster on Friday 23, a 47 per cent discount compared to full price admission on the day. It can be bought on the GRIY website and must be purchased by December 31.

* Doncaster is holding a £10 ticket sale for 2026 fixtures. A limited number of tickets are available for over 500 Arena Racing Company fixtures, including at Doncaster for the Lincoln, Summer Saturdays and the Leger Festival. The offer ends on December 31 or when sold out.

Racecourses with special ticket offers and themed racedays in December can send details to goracing@racingpost.com

Out of the ordinary: three eye-catching events

AGRICULTURE RACEDAY: A new event bringing together the agricultural community of Lincolnshire for a day of insight and inspiration alongside the action on the track.

Networking opportunities will be plentiful, including a panel discussion from industry experts on subjects including sustainability and the future of farming. Tickets from £10 in advance. Market Rasen, November 13 (Tickets)

PEAK CAP & PEARLS: You don’t need an excuse to dress up for the races – but if you do, head to Wetherby for a Peaky Blinders-style day at the track.

Dig out (or track down) some 1920s clothing – you should have the obligatory flat cap if you’re from the north anyway – and get ready for a fun-filled afternoon with plenty of entertainment alongside the racing. Wetherby, November 15 (Tickets)

BEER FESTIVAL: What better way to spend a Saturday with friends than an afternoon of jump racing in the Cambridgeshire countryside, all while sampling a range of Woodforde's Brewery's award-winning tipples.

Discover a delicious array of craft ales, lagers and ciders with supporting entertainment staged throughout the day. Huntingdon, November 22 (Tickets)

Making a day of it: Plumpton

There are meetings at certain racecourses that make you feel like you’re part of a secret society – and Mondays at Plumpton would be near the top of that list.

For the ultimate experience, take the train from London, which gets you there in less than an hour. Among the suited commuters, you’ll spot like-minded racegoers wrapped up against the elements for an afternoon of sport – and you’ll probably exchange a knowing glance as they board the carriage.

The course is a mere five-minute walk from Plumpton station, scene of Edward Whitaker’s memorable photograph of JP McManus standing alone on the platform, catching the train back to town with yet another trophy stowed safely in a bag. If it’s good enough for JP . . .

JP McManus on the platform of Plumpton station after a successful day at the trackCredit: Edward Whitaker

Get an early train and you should have time before racing to wander around Lewes Castle, where a ramble up to the highest point is rewarded with panoramic views across Sussex. It’s a spectacular sight, though tinged with sadness as it’s possible to make out the outline of Lewes racecourse, where racing ceased in 1964. Next door, in Barbican House Museum, you can explore the archaeological history of Sussex, with rotating exhibitions in the upper gallery.

An adult ticket costs £10, and you can buy a combined ticket for nearby Anne of Cleves House at a discounted rate. You’ll need to plan ahead, as Lewes Castle is not open on Mondays (though Plumpton races on other days too), except on bank holidays. 

Alternatively, head to Lewes Flea Market – one of the best of its kind – for an Aladdin’s cave of treasures and easy access to the town’s shops, cafes and pubs.

If you’re short on time, the Half Moon pub couldn’t be handier for the racecourse. It stocks local ales and wines, serves pub classics, and is the ideal place to finalise your Placepot selections.

The charms of Plumpton racecourse are obviousCredit: Alan Crowhurst

It might be worth holding fire on the perm though, until you get to the track – early bird grandstand and paddock tickets start from £16 – as Plumpton is the kind of place where you might just hear a racecourse whisper.

They’re often about an unheralded runner from a local yard capable of upsetting a favourite from one of the powerhouse stables. They enjoy sending Messrs Nicholls and Henderson packing in these parts.

Go and experience this charming course for yourself, and you’ll see why the regulars keep coming back for more.

Pack the passport: racing in Bahrain

Racing in the Kingdom of Bahrain is growing in stature every year and with the season running from October 31 through to April 17, opportunities abound for an extended trip.  

Bahrain has firmly established itself as a racing destination of world renown since staging its first international race, the Bahrain International Trophy, in 2019.

The $1 million showpiece takes place on November 14 but there is plenty more besides with the Bahrain Turf Series starting on December 19 and building up to the King’s Cup festival in March. 

The flag of Bahrain flies during racingCredit: Edward Whitaker

The series forms the central platform for international competition throughout the season, with a strong presence of British and Irish runners throughout. Last year, the locally-owned Isle Of Jura, trained by the Newmarket-based George Scott, became the first horse to complete the Bahrain Triple Crown – using those exploits as a springboard to win the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Dancer, part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, has also done plenty to raise the profile of racing in the country by winning back-to-back runnings of the International Trophy.

The racecourse is about half an hour south of the capital city of Manama and with limited public transport options, it's best to take a taxi there. 

General admission starts from as little as £2, granting access to the Turf Village and all public areas, including unreserved seating within the grandstands.

The Turf Village acts as a hub for visitors, offering coffee stands, family activities and live entertainment – all with close-up views of the track. Hospitality packages are also available.

The scenic backdrop at Sakhir racecourseCredit: Edward Whitaker

If you want to stay in the heart of the action, Manama is the place to be. The buzzing capital is home to sleek skyscrapers, luxury hotels, lively nightlife and white-sand beaches. It has a glamorous, modern edge reminiscent of Dubai but with a more relaxed, liberal feel. Areas such as Juffair and Seef offer family-friendly and budget-conscious options without skimping on comfort.

You can immerse yourself in Bahrain's rich cultural tapestry by visiting the impressive Bahrain National Museum and the Unesco-listed sites of the Fort and Pearling Path. Adventure seekers are well served on land via go-karting at the Bahrain International Circuit, home to the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix, and sea, with coral reefs perfect for pearl diving and watersports.

The average cost of a round-trip flight from London to Bahrain is between £500 and £600, though prices vary depending on the time of year.

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