Mr Vango and Johnnywho headline William Hill Becher betting
William Hill are excited to open the betting on the William Hill Becher Chase, the first William Hill Half A Mill bonus race this season. 35 horses have been entered for the prestigious contest over the Randox Grand National fences, with Mr Vango and Johnnywho heading the market as 8/1 joint-favourites.
Horse racing A-Z guide: Complete list of horse racing betting terms
For the uninitiated, horse racing can look like a wild world of strange jargon, complicated betting markets and people dressed in everything from fancy hats to Wellington boots.
It’s a lot more than placing a bet on the result of a handful of horses making their way round a race course.
You can keep it that simple if you like, but that strategy is likely to drain your wallet very quickly.
Horse racing rarely takes a break. There’s always a race somewhere in the world at any one time.
Whether it’s the Cheltenham Festival, The Grand National, Royal Ascot or the 3.47 at Plumpton on a wet Tuesday afternoon, understanding racing terminology is essential for confident betting and hopefully turning a profit.
If you are an experienced gambler or a newbie starting on your punting journey, there’s plenty to learn and discover.
This comprehensive guide by Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Scott Allen covers terms used online, trackside and in betting shops across the UK, Ireland and international markets.
Horse racing news: William Hill put up £500,000 bonus in new Randox Grand National series
William Hill are thrilled to unveil the ground-breaking ‘William Hill Half a Mill’ Randox Grand National bonus series, which offers £500,000 to connections of any horse that can complete a famous trial and Grand National double in the same season.
The lucrative bonus is available to the winners of the William Hill Becher Chase at Aintree, the William Hill Classic Chase at Warwick and the William Hill Grand National Trial at Haydock – if they can go on to triumph in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday April 11, 2026.
It will see the prize money for the world’s greatest race double to £1million.
Horse racing news: Two-time IJC winner Ryan Moore in contention for December Hong Kong return
Two-time LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) winner Ryan Moore is amongst the line-up for this year’s competition and is hoping to recover in time for the event at Happy Valley Racecourse on 10 December.
Moore’s participation in this year’s edition will be subject to final confirmation given his continuing recovery from a fractured femur that has kept him on the sidelines since York’s Ebor Festival in August.
Virtual horse racing betting: A complete guide to odds, strategies and winning tips
Virtual horse racing has emerged as one of the most accessible forms of gambling for bettors worldwide.
While traditional afternoon and evening horse racing has been merrily ticking along for hundreds of years, virtual horse racing offers 24/7 action with competitive odds, without the risk of your selection having a meltdown in the stalls.
However, many punters still don’t trust virtual horse racing. They believe there’s too much ‘new-fangled technology’ going on in the background to feel comfortable about putting a large chunk of cash on something that isn’t flesh and blood.
Well, Grandad, it’s time to put those fears to one side, as Sports News Blitz’s Scott Allen walks you through the world of virtual horse racing and answers some questions you may have.
What are the dates for the UK’s top jumps races in the 2025/26 National Hunt season?
Struggling to find out when and where the biggest jumps meetings and festivals of the 2025/26 National Hunt season take place?
Don’t worry, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing and betting expert Scott Allen has got your back.
Horse racing news: Hollie Doyle booked for seven rides at Happy Valley as Hong Kong stint begins
Hollie Doyle will begin her eight-week riding stint in Hong Kong at Happy Valley on Wednesday, with the leading British rider booked for seven rides on the card.
Doyle, who touched down in Hong Kong on Sunday, said: “I’m looking forward to learning the new system and sharpening up my riding. You can never stop learning, so I’m always open to doing new things.”
Giavellotto, Minnie Hauk and Cicero’s Gift among strong UK and Irish entry for Hong Kong International Races
Giavellotto, Minnie Hauk and recent British Champions Day Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Cicero’s Gift are among a strong entry of 33 horses from Great Britian and Ireland for the 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on 14 December.
Taking on the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint is a tall order, but UK and Irish entries include G1 winners Khaadem, Kind Of Blue, Big Mojo, Arizona Blaze and Buccanero Fuerte, as well as She’s Quality, also entered.
Horse racing news: Botti freshening up Giavellotto for Hong Kong in new World Pool video series
In a new video series released by World Pool, ‘Giavellotto: The Hong Kong Vase Hero’, trainer Marco Botti, jockey Oisin Murphy, and head lad Andrew Morris discuss Giavellotto’s famous LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (G1) victory, what makes him different, his run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and how all roads now lead back to Sha Tin in December.
When is the 2025 Breeders’ Cup? How to watch and the key trainers and jockeys to follow
Racing’s finest from across the globe — including major names from Britain, Ireland, France and Japan, will compete across 14 Championship races at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup, with more than $30 million (£25 million) in prize money on offer.
As another flat season draws to a close, Sports News Blitz looks at everything UK and international fans need to know about this year’s Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar Racecourse, California.
Horse racing news: William Hill applaud shrewd punter who turned tenner into nearly £50,000
William Hill have been hit by a remarkable weekend winner as one shrewd punter landed an each-way sixfold from just a £10 total stake, returning a cool £47,351.56.
The bet featured selections from Cheltenham, Doncaster, and Newbury, but unlike most big acca winners, only included one winning selection.
Horse racing news: Harry Bentley lands first Hong Kong Group 2 win in £500,000 Premier Bowl
Harry Bentley landed the biggest prize of his Hong Kong career to date as Tomodachi Kokoroe sensationally catapulted himself into LONGINES Hong Kong International Races reckoning after running the second-fastest 1200 metre time in Hong Kong racing history in the HK$5.35 million (approx. £500,000) G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (6f/1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday 26 October.
UK & Irish Flat season sees record HK$5.1 billion World Pool turnover
World Pool turnover has hit a new season-long high in the UK and Ireland, rising to HK$5.1bn following its conclusion on British Champions Day at Ascot last Saturday.
Horse racing news: Oisin Murphy lands £50,000 World Pool Jockeys’ Championship at Ascot
Oisin Murphy survived a flurry of final day shocks on British Champions Day at Ascot to win the second edition of the UK & Ireland World Pool Jockeys’ Championship and has chosen to split the £50,000 prize between the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Racing Welfare, with both charities set to receive £25,000 each.
In a competition that sees jockeys awarded points based on the winner’s World Pool Win odds, Murphy finished 25.45 points clear of Jamie Spencer, while Jason Watson snuck into the top five following his surprise victory on Cicero’s Gift.
Calandagan rated behind only Ka Ying Rising after Champion Stakes victory
Calandagan's performance in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday has been rated as the best in Europe this season by the experts at Timeform.
Horse racing news: William Hill become first headline sponsor of Cheltenham Showcase meeting
William Hill are delighted to announce their sponsorship of Cheltenham’s two-day Showcase meeting, becoming the first headline sponsor of the curtain-raiser event of the National Hunt season.
The meeting begins on Friday and sees the leading bookmaker launch the Jumps season alongside their backing of Saturday’s Group One Futurity Stakes at Doncaster and Sunday’s Old Roan Chase at Aintree.
Horse racing news: Champion-elect Oisin Murphy to split £50,000 between MNDA, Racing Welfare
Oisin Murphy will donate £25,000 to each of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and Racing Welfare should he keep his place at the top of the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship, which concludes on British Champions Day at Ascot this Saturday.
The four-time champion jockey holds a considerable 54.55-point lead over Kieran Shoemark, meaning Shoemark would have to ride a winner at World Pool odds of 54.60 and Murphy draw a blank in order for the Irishman to be passed.
Ka Ying Rising bids for The Everest glory as World Pool set to commingle record nine Group 1s this weekend
World Pool will host its biggest weekend composite card to date, comprising four meetings, 14 races - nine of them Group 1s - across three continents on Saturday 18 October and Sunday 19 October.
Amo Racing support Sussex equine charity after winning inaugural Star Sports Brighton Owners Series
Amo Racing will donate £5,000 to Hurstpierpoint-based equine interventions charity Parkfield Equine Solutions after winning the inaugural Star Sports Brighton Owners Series.
Parkfield Equine Solutions deliver intensive equine interventions for children, young people and adults to develop confidence, build life skills and improve their wellbeing.
Ka Ying Rising 9 lb clear at top of Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings for The Everest
Timeform's highest-rated horse in the world, Ka Ying Rising, heads into The Everest at Randwick on Saturday 9 lb clear on weight-adjusted ratings of the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar.