Sandown Races Today – Get Sandown Tips for Esher Track

As the first purpose built racecourse with different enclosures, Sandown races today in Greater London saw the future. Significant in both codes of the sport, the Esher venue is highly accessible.

On this page, we look over the history of Sandown Park Racecourse and how it has evolved into one of the premier tracks in Britain. By analysing its unique configuration, we shed light on the type of horses who do well here. Finally, we assess the big meetings and top races we provide Sandown tips for.

History of Sandown Racecourse

Sandown Park opened in 1875 on the site of an old priory founded by Henry II. The Black Death killed off all the monks and it soon transformed into a hospital. When the buildings were demolished, the land became part of Sandown Farm and looked ideal for the vision of that purpose built racecourse from the track’s founding fathers.

Nearby Kempton Park soon followed as the Greater London area expanded from just having Epsom Downs to three venues. The inaugural meeting at Esher of mixed jumps and Flat racing bears a striking resemblance to Sandown races today at the end of April.

Within little more than a decade after opening its doors, the Eclipse Stakes had its inaugural running in 1886. This race provided an opportunity for those three-year-olds contesting the Classics to take on their elders later on in the summer after the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot.

By the early 20th Century, Sandown Park founded the Imperial Cup. This is the track’s oldest hurdle race, predating the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham by 20 years. Sandown really flourished in the postwar period with the establishing of so many events still run to this day.

The Solario Stakes joined the even older National Stakes as a key Flat race for juveniles. By the early 1950s, the Sandown Classic Trial and a forerunner of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes became parts of the programme.

Staying handicap chases also came in with the Gainsborough Chase and Whitbread Gold Cup established in the mid-1950s. Further famous steeplechases such as the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase and Tingle Creek followed in the next decade.

Is Sandown Races Today Jumps or Flat?

Both National Hunt racing and Flat racing take place at the course and are thus part of our Sandown tips coverage. It has been this way at the track from early on in its history. Each has its own place at different points in the annual racing calendar.

For Flat sprints, there is a five-furlong track right up the middle of the course. This is a gradual climb up the Esher hill all the way to the line.

Round-Course races on the Flat, meanwhile, start at a minimum of seven furlongs. A complete circuit of this track is about a mile and five furlongs, i.e. between a mile-and-a-half and a mile-and-three-quarters.

A chute for mile-and-a-quarter races like the Eclipse Stakes joins the entrance to the back straight. Horses run right-handed at Sandown races today with the final half-mile uphill, so it’s an undulating course that suits galloping types.

In hurdle races, there are six flights to cross on a full lap. The track crosses the steeplechase course down the back where there are four jumps with two more after turning for home. When there’s soft ground, especially in the back straight, Sandown Park becomes a real stamina test.

A Serious Steeplechasing Test

The chase track demands a lot of horses from a jumping perspective. A complete circuit has 11 fences on it. After one before turning down the back, there are two more, then an open ditch, a water jump and the three famous Railway Fences taken in quick succession.

These seven obstacles faced in such a short space of time mean getting into a rhythm is essential. Approaching the home turn is the Pond Fence and then two more before the winning post.

The last in the home straight before going out on another circuit is an open ditch jumped nearer the stands, but a plain fence on the final lap. This dual nature to the obstacle is unique.

Sandown Park Racecourse Events & Fixtures

Seven race meetings in particular stand out at Sandown races today throughout the year. Across both Flat action and quality jump racing, there are some big days in the calendar.

Taking them in chronological order, the Scilly Isles Saturday race card in late January or early February comes first. Supporting races here include the Masters Handicap Chase and Heroes Handicap Hurdle.

The Imperial Cup in March takes place just 72 hours before the Cheltenham Festival begins at another of The Jockey Club Racecourses. When the end of April comes around, Sandown Park has a two-day fixture.

Friday is their Flat Season Opener with the Gordon Richards Stakes, Sandown Mile and Classic Trial taking place. Saturday marks the end of core National Hunt racing with the Jump Finale featuring the bet365 Gold Cup, Celebration Chase, Oaksey Chase and Select Hurdle.

Brigadier Gerard Evening in May is unusual as Esher hosts a twilight meeting on a Thursday night. Group races for this Flat fixture are the eponymous Brigadier Gerard Stakes and Henry II Stakes.

Coral-Eclipse day is usually the second Saturday in July. Supported by the Coral Charge Sprint Stakes and Coral Distaff for fillies and mares, this is the big one at the Flat in terms of Sandown Park races today.

Late August or early September is the Summer Celebration featuring the Solario Stakes and Atalanta Stakes. Last but not least, the Tingle Creek Festival in December has four graded races over jumps and two days.

After the Winter Novices’ Hurdle and Esher Novices’ Chase on the Friday, the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase and Tingle Creek headline Saturday’s card. These are the major races you should know.

The Biggest Races We Have Sandown Tips for

There’s a lot going on at Sandown Racecourse and that means plenty of opportunities to take a punt. From pattern races on the Flat to graded events over jumps and valuable handicaps, there’s something for everyone here.

More than 20 Sandown races today carry a first prize of over £35,000. We therefore feel you deserve to learn a little more about the most valuable races we give Sandown horse racing tips on, so discover all about them below…

Sandown Eclipse Stakes

Run as the Coral-Eclipse, this is the feature race of all Flat action at the Esher venue. Dating back to 1886, this mile-and-a-quarter race for three-year-olds and up is the jewel in the Sandown crown.

Its roll of honour reads like a who’s who of middle-distance Flat thoroughbreds. Particularly notable winners include Orme, Buchan, Polyphontes, Mtolo and Halling, who all captured it twice. Among famous one-time victors are Fairway, St Paddy, Mill Reef, Brigadier Gerard, Sadler’s Wells, Dancing Brave, Daylami, Giant’s Causeway, Sea The Stars, Nathaniel, Golden Horn and Enable.

Sponsored by the same bookmaker since 1976, the Sandown Coral Eclipse has total prize money boosted to £1,000,000 in 2025. This celebrates the track’s 150th anniversary. City Of Troy picked up £425,325 for first place in 2024.

Sandown Tingle Creek Chase

The biggest race over jumps for Sandown races today and tips is the Tingle Creek in early December. Like the Eclipse, it honours a racehorse of the past. Renamed after Esher track specialist Tingle Creek in 1979, this steeplechase over a trip short of two miles began life as a handicap in 1969 with Pendil and Deser Orchid notable early winners.

It became a Grade 1 in 1994 and has since flourished as the pre-eminent race of its type before Christmas. Multiple winners are common with Flagship Uberalles, Moscow Flyer, Kauto Star, Twist Magic, Master Minded, Sire De Grugy, Politologue and Jonbon all successful more than once.

Top horses come to the Tingle Creek time and again because of the prize money available. Jonbon picked up over £100,000 for winning the race again in 2024.

Celebration Chase

Another Grade 1 steeplechase over short of two miles on the Jump Finale card in April. Created in 2001 when a Foot And Mouth crisis caused the cancellation of the Cheltenham Festival, it naturally attracts many of the same horses to Sandown Park as the Tingle Creek albeit later in the season.

Altior made the Celebration Chase his own with a memorable hat-trick in 2017, 2018 and 2019. His trainer Nicky Henderson, also successful with Sprinter Sacre, Jonbon and others, and old rival Paul Nichols both have seven wins apiece.

There is usually a small field owing to the race’s proximity to the Punchestown Champion Chase some 72 hours later. In 2024, Jonbon picked up £97,270 for his second win and bids for more glory this term.

bet365 Gold Cup

Run for most of its history as the Whitbread Gold Cup, this longstanding Sandown Park handicap is also on the Jump Finale card at the end of April. Current sponsors bet365 began their partnership with this Premier Handicap chase over an extended three-and-a-half miles in 2008.

Most Sandown racing tips for the end of the National Hunt season focus on this race. This is because it often has one of the largest fields on the card. Early wins in the Whitbread for Arkle and Mill House helped established the race’s credentials.

Desert Orchid and Hewick, who both also won the King George, appear on the roll of honour too. In 1990, Mr Frisk broke the course record for the Grand National and followed-up with success in this race for a historic double.

This remarkable feat happened with just three weeks between runs. In 2024, first prize for the bet365 Gold Cup was £95,650 with Minella Cocooner scooping the pot as Irish handler Willie Mullins won his first British trainers’ championship.

Sandown Mile

A Group 2 pattern race for horses aged four and up over a mile on the Flat Season Opener card in April. Established in 1985, this is a stepping stone to the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury races the following month.

It could pay to follow successful Sandown tips from this that go on to that straight mile Group 1 contest. Notable winners include Paco Boy and Palace Pier with 2024 scorer Charyn picking up almost £71,000 in prize money for first place before scaling even greater heights.

Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase

First run in 1964 and over the Tingle Creek course and distance until 1988, this Grade 1 novice chase at two-and-a-half miles is the feature race in late January or early February at Sandown races today. Notable winners of the Scilly Isles include Best Mate, Oscar Whisky and L’Homme Presse.

While Sandown betting tips on this race are important, the fixture clashes with the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown races on the same and following day. First prize in 2025 went to Handstands and he netted almost £57,000 for holding off subsequent Arkle winner Jango Baie.

Henry VIII Novices’ Chase

Inaugurated in 1977 and attaining Grade 1 status in 2011, this steeplechase is a pathway for future Tingle Creek horses. Honouring King Henry VIII, who turned Cardinal Wolsey’s nearby Hampton Court Palace into a royal residence during his reign, it is the first top level novice chase over about two miles in the British Isles during the core National Hunt season.

Run on Tingle Creek day in December over the same course and distance, Desert Orchid and Altior are by far the most famous winners. Sandown horse tips that put L’Eau Du Sud forward were spot on in 2024 as he won almost £57,000 for first prize.

Heroes Handicap Hurdle

A staying Premier Handicap over hurdles on Scilly Isles day. First held in 1986 and over a distance of nearly three miles, long distance hurdling great Baracouda defied topweight to land the spoils in 2004.

Green Book is the only dual winner of the Heroes Handicap Hurdle to date. Those giving Sandown races tips on it must consider stamina as essential. First prize of £56,300 in 2025 went to Red Dirt Road.

Imperial Cup

The oldest hurdle race at Sandown Park races today, it is currently a Class 2 handicap over two miles on the Saturday before the Cheltenham Festival in March. Dating back to 1907, there have been six multiple winners of the Imperial Cup in that time.

Go Dante became the latest of those when he backed up his 2024 success in 2025, picking up £51,440 for first place in the process. Despite taking place in early spring, successful horse racing tips for the Sandown Imperial Cup are runners who go well with cut in the ground.

Novices’ Championship Final

Another Class 2 handicap hurdle over the Imperial Cup course and distance of two miles, but for novices only on the Jump Finale card in April. Helnwein scooped first prize of £51,440 in 2024 when just holding on from Be Aware.

Coral Challenge

A Class 2 Sandown Park handicap on the Flat over a mile on the Eclipse day card in July. Open to three-year-olds and up, it can be the subsequent target for winners of both the Esher Cup in April and Whitsun Cup in May.

Although on a round mile, successful horses in the Coral Challenge must stay because the latter half of the race is uphill. Cicero’s Gift delivered for those following Sandown tips in 2024 here and received nearly £51,000 in prize money for first place.

Sandown Classic Trial

Established in 1953, this mile-and-a-quarter race with Group 3 status open to three-year-olds only is an official trial for The Derby at Epsom races taking place towards the end of April. Famous winners include Bustino, Troy, Shergar, Old Vic and Fantastic Light.

The Sandown Classic Trial is a race punters should take seriously moving forward. Like Epsom Downs, the testing nature of the track can help prepare horses for the rigours of the big race.

Sandown race tips that identified Arabian Crown had it right in 2024, but tragedy struck when he broke down after crossing the finish line. Connections picked up £48,200 in prize money, but lost their horse to a fatal injury.

Gordon Richards Stakes

A Group 3 race over the Eclipse course and distance of a mile-and-a-quarter on the Flat Season Opener card in April. Only open to older horses, i.e. four-year-olds and up, its title honours Sir Gordon Richards who was champion jockey 26 times.

Originally the Westbury Stakes when established in 1963 and run on what is now Brigadier Gerard Evening, it switched to its current slot at Sandown races today in 1974. It became the Gordon Richards Stakes in 1987.

Famous winners include Singspiel, Chancellor, Red Rocks, Ask and Crystal Ocean. First prize in 2024 was £48,200 with Okeechobee successful for Harry Charlton.

Coral Charge Sprint Stakes

Another Group 3 on the Flat, but over the sprint course and flying five furlongs on the Eclipse card in July. Those providing tips for Sandown today should have speed as a key consideration.

Famous winners of the Coral Charge Sprint Stakes include Lochsong and Battaash. The mare Makarova pounced and received a first prize of £48,200 in 2024 as her reward.

Atalanta Stakes

More Group 3 action now, but for fillies and mares aged three and up over a mile on the Summer Celebration card. Young females do well against their elders in the Atalanta Stakes. First place in 2024 was worth £48,200 with Tamfana taking that prize money home.

Select Hurdle

Introduced in 2014, this Grade 2 hurdle race over almost two-and-three-quarter miles on the Jump Finale card has a unique distance. Impaire Et Passe took home £45,560 in prize money for winning it in 2024.

Oaksey Chase

Also established in 2014 and part of the Jump Finale day, this Grade 2 steeplechase takes place over an extended two-and-three-quarter miles. It honours horse racing broadcaster and amateur jockey John Lawrence, Baron Oaksey.

Menorah won it four times, so a trophy named after him is awarded to successful connections. A couple of King George winners in Frodon and Hewick are also winning Sandown tips in the Oaksey Chase down the years.

First prize in 2024 was £45,560 with the mare Fantastic Lady scooping that for Nicky Henderson. This race often attracts a smaller field, because of the presence of the bet365 Gold Cup on the same card.

Brigadier Gerard Stakes

Another of the Group 3 mile-and-a-quarter contests only open to older horses at Sandown races today, this one honours Brigadier Gerard. A famous racehorse of the early 1970s, who won all the major mile and 10-furlong races in the UK, it takes place on a Friday evening towards the end of May.

Commanche Run, Workforce and Poet’s Word are all famous winners of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes. Royal Rhyme added his name to the roll of honour in 2024 when he received £45,350 in prize money for that success.

Henry II Stakes

This Group 3 staying race on the Flat over about two miles is four-year-olds and up on Brigadier Gerard Evening in May. It serves as a trial for the Ascot Gold Cup the following month at the Royal meeting.

Andross, Double Trigger, Persian Punch and Big Orange are notable winners of the Henry II Stakes. Sweet William just prevailed in 2024 with first prize worth £45,350 for his head victory.

EBF National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle Final

A Premier Handicap hurdle restricted to horses aged between four and seven over two-and-a-half miles on Imperial Cup day in March. Sandown racing tips today on this one should consider the fact that many winners develop into staying hurdlers.

For evidence of that, look no further than Beauport and Crambo, who later in their careers finished first and third in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot races. Laurens Bay prevailed in 2025, picking up £45,000 in prize money.

Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

A Grade 2 novice hurdle only open to female horses over two-and-a-half miles in February. This takes place during a midweek fixture between the Scilly Isles and Imperial Cup cards.

Love Envoi and You Wear It Well are notable winners of the Jane Seymour, who was the third of Henry VIII’s six wives. Hollygrove Cha Cha made all and just held on to receive £42,700 in prize money in 2025.

Esher Novices’ Chase

One of the newest Sandown races today and a Grade 2 steeplechase for novices over fences and three miles at the Tingle Creek Festival. Introduced in 2023, Handstands won it in 2024, scooping £37,000 in prize mone en route to Scilly Isles glory.

Solario Stakes

Only open to two-year-olds, this Group 3 race over seven furlongs takes place on the Summer Celebration card. First run in 1947, Oh So Sharp, Raven’s Pass and Kingman are some of the most famous winners. First prize in 2024 was more than £36,850 with Field Of Gold successful.

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