Chepstow Racecourse > Racing > Beginner's Guide
You can’t beat the spectacle and colour of seeing racehorses and jockeys close up, the bustling activity that surrounds the betting and the lively excitement of the race itself.
As with any sport the more you know about what’s going on, the more fun you’ll get out of your day. Our introductory guide to racing is designed specifically to increase your enjoyment, so before you come racing with us read on to find out our top tips and essential advice.
How to dress for the races is completely up to you, though we do recommend smart/casual dress for the Premier Enclosure (see Dress Code). For a lot of people (especially ladies) dressing up is all part of the fun of going racing and you can be sure that there will be some sights to be seen!
Top tip: To enjoy a day’s racing to the full may require a good deal of walking around, so give particular thought to your footwear!
Colour Race Programmes (a guide to the days action with details of each race) are available at all of our racecourses. You will of course need some cash –which can be as little or as much as you wish to spend. There is a Link cash machine situated in the Racecourse Office Reception. Tote betting vouchers can also be obtained with credit/debit cards at the Tote information points.
Take a camera to capture the memories of your day but you must disarm the flash, as flash photography can upset the horses. Except for picnics on Family Days, you will not be allowed to take food and drink into the enclosures but you will find a large selection on sale inside the racecourse.
Top Tip: If you want to eat in a restaurant on the day, you will need to book in advance as they tend to be very popular.
The closer you get to the time of the first race, the busier the traffic will be so aim to arrive about an hour and a half before the first race. This will give you time to get to know the geography of the track and check out the racecourses facilities. The action will commence about half an hour before the advertised time of the first race, when the runners will be taken in the pre-parade ring to be saddled up.
Don’t watch every race from the same position, however good it might be. Go down to the rails for a race or two and experience the thrill of a close finish - hooves pounding, jockeys urging, cheering voices. Try to get to the start of a race-especially a flat race started from stalls, to experience at first hand the loading and the explosive moment when the gates fly open and the runners are released. At a jumps meeting, stand by a fence or hurdle as the horse comes over to get the true spectacle of the sport.
Top Tip: Children under 16 (accompanied by an adult) get in free!!
There are three ways of having a bet on the Racecourse:
Betting with the Tote couldn’t be easier. There are Tote betting points clearly signed and located all over the course. The Tote staff (usually dressed all in red) will be pleased to help you if you need any information on the range of bets on offer. Television screens near the Tote counters give an indication of the current odds that will be paid on each horse.
Popular bets are:
If you’re feeling adventurous more complicated bets are:
Betting with bookmakers, who are to be found in the Grandstand and Paddock Enclosure is very simple. The bookmakers in the Betting Ring offer fixed odds betting which means if you place a £2 Win bet on a horse marked on the bookmakers board at 6/1 you will receive £14 (inc stake) if the horse wins.
So how do you make that bet?
Go into the betting ring and 'shop around' by looking at the boards on which the different bookmakers will be displaying the odds of each horse. Each bookmaker will advertise the minimum stake he will accept, and you will soon find one happy to take even a very small bet.
Say you want to have £5 to win on your fancy. (Having the right money helps speed things along.) Most bookmakers have him marked up at 6-1, but one has him at 7-1, which seems to you to be a good price. Go up to that bookie and ask for '£5 to win on your fancy'. The bookmaker will then give you a slip which details the name and number of your selection and your potential returns should the horse win. If you have placed an Each-Way bet the slip will also detail your returns should the horse be placed. The slip will also have the bookmakers name printed at the top. If your horse wins take your ticket back to the same bookmaker who will then pay you your winnings.
Betting in a racecourse betting shop (some courses have more than one) is very similar to placing a bet in your local betting shop. You can have a variety of bets (including combination bets such as doubles and trebles) at much smaller stakes than a ring bookmaker would appreciate. You can also bet at the day's other meetings and other events including sports and numbers betting.
Top Tip: Never throw away what you might consider a losing bet until the 'weighed in' signal has been given as results can sometimes be amended.
Learn How to Bet with the Tote via these Animated Tutorial 
