By Tony Calvin - 1 November 2026
There are seven races planned for ITV’s Friday schedule, five from Aintree (including the Haldon Gold Cup) and two from Hexham.
It is currently good, good to soft in places and, with a dry forecast, they will be watering all week (see below).
Friday’s field sizes are a touch worrying in places at the moment – the five-day numbers for the contests are 14-14-9-9-27.
Two betting operators have priced up four races on that card, including the Haldon Gold Cup.
Just nine five-day entries for the 100k for the 2m handicap chase, so they may have been better off binning it. Two of the nine ran on Saturday (including Ascot winner Vanderpoel), with three out of the handicap by 7lb and more, and Mirabad is the early 6/4 favourite over 5/2 JPR One.
Hexham (on their big day in the ITV sun hopefully they will give details if they water) have current field sizes of 17 and 13.
Those races are worth just 13k (0-120 2m4f handicap hurdle) and 20k (0-135 2m4f handicap chase).
Doncaster’s November Handicap on Saturday isn’t an early closer.
No early closers on Saturday, in fact.
Aintree, Hexham and Doncaster are in for a largely dry week.
GOING: Good, good to soft in places
Rails: Rails in innermost position. Distances as advertised. Hurdle 1 is positioned as a cross flight, leaving two hurdles in the home straight.
MONDAY course update: Forecast: A dry outlook with some sunny periods. Temperature highs of 12c. For live Going and Weather please visit https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/aintree/owners-and-trainers/the-going/
Watering: 7mm applied Wed & Thurs. 10mm Fri & again Sat. 5-7mm Sun. Watering to continue through to racing given the dry forecast.
Forecast: Basically dry
GOING: Good, good to soft in places
SUNDAY course update: Partly Cloudy. Dry and bright today with similar conditions into next week. Highs of 13c. 41mm of rainfall since racing on 20th October.
Watering: We will monitor forecast and water to maintain if necessary
Forecast: Basically dry, odd light showers
GOING: Soft, good to soft in places
MONDAY course update: Dry through the week. Sunny spells earlier in the week and becoming more overcast from Thursday. Breezy, with stiff easterly gusts earlier in the week. Calmer as the week goes on. 10-12C
Watering: N/A
Forecast: Basically dry; odd light showers
1.15pm Aintree
1.45pm Aintree
2.10pm Doncaster
2.20pm Aintree
2.45pm Doncaster
2.55pm Aintree
3.25pm Doncaster
3.35pm Aintree
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