It is obviously a big shame we won’t see any chase action at Chepstow but they have done well to get the Festival on and it still promises to be an exciting three days.The Welsh Champion Hurdle looks a mouthwatering renewal and there is a good chance we are still going to see some very smart horses for the season ahead. I have gone through all eight races on the card and hopefully found you some decent value.Top horse racing offerPrix de l’Arc de Triomphe Festival (Saturday) tips1.22 Cooltobecareless – 2/1 with Betfred1.57 Saint Jeannais – 9/4 with Paddy Power2.32 Seven Kites – 7/4 with BoyleSports NAP3.12 Captain Hugo – 7/2 with bet3653.43 Cosmic Connection – 9/4 with BetVictor NEXT BEST4.17 Unjeu Royal – 6/1 each way with Sky Bet4.55 Codetalker – 11/2 each way with Coral5.31 Sheezer Diva – 11/4 with SpreadexJoe’s best horse racing betting tips for Chepstow’s Dragonbet Welsh Racing Festival (Friday 9th October 2026)Find my top tips for Friday 9th October 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:Chepstow 1.22 Wasdell Group Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2mThe Skelton team would have targeted this meeting as there is some good prize money up for grabs and they could get off to a perfect start here with COOLTOBECARELESS.This 5yo has shown clear promise in bumpers and looks the type to do better now sent over hurdles. He has had a wind op and should be ready to do himself justice here.King’s Scholar has plenty of experience to draw upon and won’t go down easy especially with Tom Hutsby claiming 10lb off his back. Kind Intention is another one that catches the eye having made a winning hurdles debut on final start last season. Bet on COOLTOBECARELESS to win at 2/1 with Betfred Chepstow 1.57 Wasdell Group Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 2) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2mDutch Corner will likely be popular here especially if the Skelton team have taken the opener but I’m keen to side with SAINT JEANNAIS. This 6yo looked above average winning by seven lengths on hurdles debut at Bangor on final start last season. He is open to plenty of improvement and could be hard to beat here.It is not just a two-horse race though as Sharu has been running to a consistent level and could get involved. Hive Runner represents Tom Lacey and is another horse I’ve got my eye on for the season ahead but he may do better for the run and experience. Bet on SAINT JEANNAIS to win at 9/4 with Paddy Power Chepstow 2.32 Good Intents Marquee Hire Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m71/2fGiven the money for SEVEN KITES on debut at this track last season I get the impression he could be a really nice horse. I know he was beaten that day but he ran well and just found Tobyshill too strong who was a horse with experience on side.He would have done a lot of work at home and should improve and have a great chance of making a winning return.Little Lady Rock was only denied a head last time and already knows how to win over hurdles so looks the danger. Crossgales King had a busy season last year but usually needs his first run back so might find this hard work but should come on plenty. Bet on SEVEN KITES to win at 7/4 with BoyleSports Chepstow 3.12 DragonBet ‘Welsh Champion’ Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5YO plus) 2mI’m really looking forward to seeing CAPTAIN HUGO again. I backed him for the Morebattle Hurdle where he sprung a 14/1 upset. I know he was beaten on final start in the Scottish equivalent but the winner Dedicated Hero is a very useful operator and the field was well strung out in behind.He was still quite a raw horse last season so there should be more to come and I fancy him to be up to the task here as he won on reappearance last year.Lots of quality lining up for this and Doctor Blue is probably the danger. He struggled at Newbury on final outing but his early season form was strong denied narrowly by Fortune De Mer at Cheltenham and winning by six lengths at Ascot. He might be more forward than most and should run well.Le Beau Madrik should have a good season ahead and is another one who would have a major shout in this. Bet on CAPTAIN HUGO to win at 7/2 with bet365 Chepstow 3.43 DragonBet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4YO plus) 2m31/2fChris Gordon was interviewed the other day and he said he is looking forward to getting COSMIC CONNECTION back in action. This looks a good starting point and I can see him relishing this step up in trip.He won three from four over hurdles last season and looked a horse going places so hopefully he can get the job done under Freddie Gordon.Lord Byron was an excellent second to King Rasko Grey in Ireland last season and has had a spin on the Flat to get fit for this so looks the danger with Harry Cobden booked.The Skelton team have North Shore who has joined them from Gavin Cromwell. He took a while to get the hang of things over hurdles but did win on his final start so if improving again is another one to note. Bet on COSMIC CONNECTION to win at 9/4 with BetVictor Chepstow 4.17 DragonBet Daily Dragonboosts Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) (3YO plus) 2mI was at Plumpton when UNJEU ROYAL won and I thought he showed a good attitude that day. I just think he was too keen at Warwick next time but wasn’t disgraced finishing third. He looks the type to do better again this season and it would be no surprise to see him seriously involved here on his return.Dan and Harry Skelton have Typhoon Warrior who will probably go off favourite. He has shown bits and pieces of promise but should improve now handicapping and will likely be bang there. Victory Shout is a nice type as well and another one I can see getting seriously competitive. Bet on UNJEU ROYAL each way at 6/1 with SkyBet Chepstow 4.55 LSL Racing Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m31/2fThis is one of the toughest races of the day now and plenty are in with a shout. I do like CODETALKER for Stuart Edmunds. This horse won two of his last four starts when last seen and was much the best at Southwell on final outing. He is up in the weights as a result but if picking up where he left off should have a great shout.Mostly Sunny is yet to win fresh but would definitely have claims if fit so it might be worth watching the market on that one as it is usually quite telling. Christian Williams saddles Beau Quali who we know likes this track and again despite having an absence to overcome could get involved. Bet on CODETALKER each way at 11/2 with Coral Chepstow 5.31 Alan Bushell Racing Remembers Alan Davies Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) (3YO plus) 2mI’m siding with the most unexposed horse in the field in the lucky last in the shape of SHEEZER DIVA for Dan Skelton. This Order Of St George mare has looked the type to do better in handicaps and kept over two miles could take a big step forward now.I don’t think this will take a great deal of winning so it will be interesting to see what the market makes of her come post time as I get the impression she’ll be heavily backed up against plenty of exposed sorts.Siorai was a beaten favourite at Plumpton last month but could run better than that here and is respected. Reel Orange is another one capable of getting involved if brings her best form to the table. Hard to make much of a case for anything else here as it does look to lack strength in depth. Bet on SHEEZER DIVA to win at 11/4 with Spreadex My top tip for Chepstow’s Dragonbet Welsh Racing Festival on FridayI’m keen on SEVEN KITES given the amount of money that came for him on debut and I have doubled him up with COSMIC CONNECTION for Chris Gordon who was progressive when last seen and could pick up where he left off. Bet a Win Double on SEVEN KITES and COSMIC CONNECTION at 8/1 with bet365 About the authorJoe NorrisI’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTOCommercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. 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