The fourth weekend of April at Sandown Park is packed with events and this time both flat race and National Hunt enthusiasts will have something to look forward to. On Saturday, 24 April, the racecourse will celebrate the start of the 2026 flat season with the Flat Season Opener, while on Sunday, 25 April, they will host the Jump Finale to close the current National Hunt season with fanfare.
Sandown Park housed a number of facilities, from a priory to a hospital and then a farm, before in 1875 it was turned into a racecourse. Located in the outer suburbs of London, today it hosts 5 Grade One National Hunt races and one Group 1 flat race. As it holds both flat and jump races, Sandown Park stays open all year round.
This year, the Flat Season Opener will be opened with The bet365 Handicap Stakes as its first race, while The Nordoff & Robbins Ozzy Osbourne Memorial Handicap Stakes will close the day. The Changing Young Lives At Jamie’s Farm Fillies’ Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race will open the Jump Finale, while The Bet365 Handicap Hurdle Race will be its closing race.
The bet365 Classic Trial and The bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Steeple Chase are the headline races of the first and the second day correspondingly.
Key Dates & Timings
The Flat Season Opener and Jump Finale 2026 meeting will be conducted in the fourth week of April and last for two days. This horse racing fixture will include seven races on the first and eight races on the second day, for a total of 15 races.
Day One: Flat Season Opener
- When: Friday, 24 April 2026
- Gate opening: 11:15 am
- First race: 1:20 pm
- Headline race: 3:35 pm
- Last race: 4:45 pm
The daily race card for the Sandown Flat Season Opener 2026 is as follows:
Friday, 24 April
Going: good
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:20 pm | THE bet365 HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 5f 10y | 3YO £25,000.00 Rating 81-100 |
| 1:50 pm | THE bet365 ESHER CUP HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 1m | 3YO £30,000.00 Rating 81-100 |
| 2:25 pm | THE bet365 GORDON RICHARDS STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m 1f 209y | 4YO+ £95,000.00 |
| 3:00 pm | THE bet365 MILE (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 1m | 4YO+ £165,000.00 |
| 3:35 pm | THE bet365 CLASSIC TRIAL (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m 1f 209y | 3YO £95,000.00 |
| 4:10 pm | THE bet365 ‘WILD CARD’ FILLIES’ NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 3) (GBB RACE) (CL 3) | 1m 1f 209y | 3YO £15,000.00 |
| 4:45 pm | THE NORDOFF & ROBBINS OZZY OSBOURNE MEMORIAL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) (CL 4) | 1m 1f 209y | 3YO £15,000.00 Rating 66-85 |
Day Two: Jump Finale
- When: Saturday, 25 April 2026
- Gate opening: 10:45 am
- First race: 1:13 pm
- Headline race: 3:30 pm
- Last race: 5:15 pm
The daily race card for the Sandown Jump Finale 2026 is as follows:
Saturday, 25 April
Going: Chase Course: good; Hurdle Course: good (good to firm in places)
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:13 pm | THE CHANGING YOUNG LIVES AT JAMIE’S FARM FILLIES’ JUVENILE HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About two miles
(1m 7f 216yds) |
4YO £50,000.00 |
| 1:45 pm | THE bet365 NOVICES’ CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | About two miles
(1m 7f 216yds) |
4YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 2:20 pm | THE bet365 OAKSEY STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 2)(For the Menorah Challenge Trophy) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about six and a half furlongs
(2m 6f 164yds) |
5YO+ £80,000.00 |
| 2:55 pm | THE bet365 CELEBRATION STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About two miles
(1m 7f 99yds) |
5YO+ £175,000.00 |
| 3:30 pm | THE bet365 GOLD CUP HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Three miles about four and a half furlongs
(3m 4f 146yds) |
5YO+ £175,000.00 |
| 4:02 pm | THE bet365 SELECT HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about five and a half furlongs
(2m 5f 110yds) |
4YO+ £80,000.00 |
| 4:40 pm | THE bet365 JOSH GIFFORD NOVICES’ HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Two miles about four furlongs
(2m 4 15yds) |
5YO+ £40,000.00 |
| 5:15 pm | THE bet365 HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Two miles about four furlongs
(2m 3f 178yds) |
4YO+ £35,000.00 Rating 0-145 |
Headline Races at the Jump Finale Sandown 2026
The Sandown Flat Season Opener and Jump Finale 2026 meeting includes 15 races, with seven races conducted on the first day and eight races conducted on the second day. As they belong to two major types of horse racing and offer very different sets of conditions, rules, and runners, anyone who visits the Sandown Park Racecourse between 24 and 25 April will find something to cater to their interests and tastes.
Sandown Classic Trial (Friday, 24 April)
The Sandown Classic Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged three years. It is run over the distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 209 yards (2,002 metres).
The Sandown Classic Trial started out in 1953 as the Royal Stakes but changed its name in 1971. It also often serves as a trial for the Epsom Derby, with some of the outstanding participants winning the Derby.
History remembers the name of its inaugural winner, Mountain King. However, as the race only accepts horses aged three, there are no multiple winners. On the other hand, there are records of jockeys and trainers who won the Classic Trial more times than any of their colleagues and rivals.
Lester Piggott holds that title among jockeys with 5 wins (Sun Charger 1957, Snow Cat 1958, Ferneley 1962, Sun Rock 1967, Artaius 1977). The most prolific trainer of the Classic Trial is John Gosden with 9 wins (Pollen Count 1992, True Hero 1993, Linney Head 1994, Santillana 1996, Centennial 2008, Azmeel 2010, Western Hymn 2014, Cunco 2017, Sevenna Star 2018).
The latest winner in 2025 was a bay colt Swagman, who turned 3 about two weeks before the race. This was his second racing season and the best performance of 2025. In his debut season of 2024, he won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Swagman was trained by Aidan O’Brien and led on the track by jockey Ryan Moore.
Currently, there are 13 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Accredit (age 3, jockey Colin Keane, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Action (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Al Zanati (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Benvenuto Cellini (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Del Maro (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Lyneham (age 3, jockey David Egan, trainer Ralph Beckett)
- Oceans Four (age 3, jockey Joe Leavy, trainer Brian Meehan)
- Proposition (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Raaheeb (age 3, jockey Rossa Ryan, trainer Owen Burrows)
- Spyce (age 3, jockey Tom Marquand, trainer Alan King)
- Study Of Words (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Winding Stream (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard Hughes)
- Wise Prince (age 3, jockey Robert Havlin, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
Bet365 Gold Cup (Saturday, 25 April)
The Bet365 Gold Cup is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase that accepts both male and female horses aged five years or older. It is run over the distance of about 3 miles and 4 1/2 furlongs (3 miles, 4 furlongs and 146 yards, or 5,766 metres) and includes 24 fences to be jumped.
Established in 1957, the Gold Cup became the first commercial sponsorship in British sports when Whitbread Brewers took it up and also the longest running until 2001, when the sponsor changed.
As the race is open to horses who have reached the age of five or older, it allows for any horse to take part and potentially win the race multiple times. As of now, there are four horses that have achieved this: Larbawn (1968, 1969), Diamond Edge (1979, 1981), Topsham Bay (1992, 1993), and Ad Hoc (2001, 2003), each with two wins.
Ron Barry stands out among jockeys with 3 wins (Titus Oates 1971, Charlie Potheen 1973, The Dikler 1974), while trainer Fulke Walwyn has won the race as many as 7 times (Taxidermist 1958, Mill House 1967, Charlie Potheen 1973, The Dikler 1974, Diamond Edge 1979, 1981, Special Cargo 1984).
The latest winner in 2025 was grey gelding Resplendent Grey, who turned 7 earlier that month. This was his first out of two wins of the year. The second one took place in November when he won the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at the Carlisle Racecourse. Resplendent Grey was trained by Olly Murphy and led on the track by jockey Sean Bowen.
Currently, there are 42 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Beauport (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
- Mr Vango (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sara Bradstock)
- Resplendent Grey (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
- Salver (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gary & Josh Moore)
- Capodanno (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Neul Mulholland)
- Lookaway (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Neil King)
- Panic Attack (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Thomas Mor (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)
- Top Of The Bill (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
- Intense Raffles (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Thomas Gibney)
- Henry’s Friend (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ben Pauling)
- Doyen Quest (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Hyland (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky Henderson)
- Deep Cave (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Christian Williams)
- Brave Fortune (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Kinturk Kalanisi (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Thomas Gibney)
- Rock My Way (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joe Tizzard)
- Certainly Red (age 12, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Lydia Richards)
- In d’Or (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Fergal O’Brien)
- Our Power (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sam Thomas)
- Road To Home (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Transmission (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Neil Mulholland)
- Herakles Westwood (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Warren Greatrex)
- Ask Brewster (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Cath Williams)
- Havaila (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gary & Josh Moore)
- Millforce (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry Oliver)
- Courtland (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mickey Bowen)
- Montregard (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tom Lacey)
- Welcom To Cartries (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- Gabbys Cross (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nick Scholfield)
- Saint Davy (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
- Collectors Item (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
- Kim Roque (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Dartmoor Pirate (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Anthony Honeyball)
- Kap Vert (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Hobbs & Josh White)
- Livin On Luco (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Hobbs & Josh White)
- Excello (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky Henderson)
- Major Fortune (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Promontory (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sarah Connell)
- Invincible Nao (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gary & Josh Moore)
- Magna Sam (age 12, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Alastair Ralph)
- Olivers Travels (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mickey Bowen)
Betting at Jump Finale Sandown 2026
An event where flat racing and National Hunt racing meet at the same venue is bound to attract horse racing enthusiasts, sports bettors, and bookmakers alike. While the two days of the event offer completely different races, odds will be available on all major bookmaking platforms.
Though flat and jump racing have a number of foundational differences in how they are conducted, the betting markets for both are essentially the same. Betting online on any of the event’s 15 races is open to all sports bettors, while those visiting the Sandown Park Racecourse will have an opportunity to place a bet in specialised facilities at the venue.
Whether you decide to bet on the Sandown Flat Season Opener and Jump Finale in person or online, always remember to take informed decisions when placing a bet. Analyse the list of runners, their recent performances, expert opinions, and the market outlook. Compare the odds to choose the ones that suit your budget the best. If you are planning to attend the event, take a moment to evaluate the horses for yourself in the Parade Ring.
At 7bet, we offer a wide range of horse race betting markets both for domestic and international events.
Please note that odds for the Sandown Flat Season Opener and Jump Finale 2026 will be available closer to the event date.
Betting at the Sandown Flat Season Opener and Jump Finale 2026 includes various horse betting markets, with some of the most popular ones being:
- Win: If you have ever participated in sports betting, you will know how this bet works. But even if you are still getting familiar with the process, understanding this market won’t be difficult. Your aim here is to predict the outcome of the race. As a punter, you place a wager on the horse that you deem the most likely to come to the finish line first and win the race. If your prediction is correct, your wager will be eligible for a payout proportional to the offered odds and your stake size. Its simple mechanism makes this bet suitable for newbies, and the fact that it is based on the main objective of horse racing retains its interest for experienced bettors.
- Place: If you would like to place a bet under the same mechanism but have somewhat lower risks involved, this betting market could be a good fit. You still place a wager on a horse but with a different outcome. Now instead of claiming this horse will win the race, you bet that it will be placed in the winning top. This gives you more opportunities due to the number of placements compared to one winner, and also reduces your risks because you don’t have to predict the exact place the horse will take. As long as it makes it into the winning top, your wager will qualify for a win. The number of paid placements for each race depends on the number of actual runners and is announced before the start.
- First Two (or First Three): For this betting market you are still betting on the winning top but the conditions are quite different. Instead of placing a wager on one horse, you place one wager on two horses in the same race. With this, you bet that they will be the first two (or first three) horses to finish the race. Remember that this is not a separate bet for each horse, but one single bet on two or three horses. For your bet to win, two things need to take place at the tracks. First, all the horses you named in your bet need to finish the race within the winning top. Another thing is that they need to come to the finish line in the same order you specified in your bet, i.e. if you said horse A will be the first, while horse B will be the second, that’s how they need to finish the race if your wager is to qualify for a payout. A different order or one of them missing the winning top altogether will cause you to lose your wager.
- Two From Three: If the previous market seems like an interesting opportunity, but you would like to have a bit more control over the risks, this betting market offers a similar bet. While you are still trying to predict two horses that will finish the race in the top three, you don’t have to predict their exact placements. All they have to do is come to the finish line anywhere between the first and the third place, so that your wager is eligible for a win. However, if one of them falls behind and misses the top three, you will lose your wager.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org