Sandown Park Racecourse will be opening its gates in the first week of December for some pre-Christmas jump racing action. So if you are looking for a horse racing festival in the proximity of London’s busy life, mark your calendars for the Tingle Creek Festival 2025.
The history of Sandown Park is quite an interesting one. It started as a priory built by King Henry II in the 12th century. Sometime after the 14th century it was turned into a hospital and then became part of the Sandown Farm. At the end of the 19th century, the land was purchased by Lieutenant Colonel Owen Williams, but it was, in fact, his younger brother who established the racecourse in 1875.
Today, Sandown Park Racecourse stays open throughout the year, hosting both flat and jump races, 5 Grade One National Hunt races and one Group 1 flat race, the Eclipse Stakes, among them.
The Tingle Creek Festival usually lasts for two days. This year it falls on Friday, 5 December and Saturday, 6 December. The Daily Tips On Betting.Betfair ‘Introductory’ Juvenile Hurdle Race will open the Festival as its first race on Friday, while The Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Steeple Chase will be its closing race on Saturday.
The main featured jump race, The Betfair Tingle Creek Steeple Chase, will take place on the second day of the Festival.
Key Dates & Timings
The Tingle Creek Festival 2025 will be conducted in the first week of December and last for two days. The first day will include six races, while the second day will host seven races. While the days of the Festival don’t have special names, day one is often referred to as Betfair Tingle Creek Friday, and day two is known as Betfair Tingle Creek Saturday, based on the days they are held on.
Day One: Betfair Tingle Creek Friday (Opening Day)
- When: Friday, 5 December 2025
- Gate opening: 11:00 am
- First race: 12:35 pm
- Headline race: 1:45 pm
- Last race: 3:30 pm
Day Two: Betfair Tingle Creek Saturday
- When: Saturday, 6 December 2025
- Gate opening: 10:00 am
- First race: 12:08 pm
- Headline race: 3:00 pm
- Last race: 3:35 pm
- Live music: 3:45 pm
The daily race cards for the Tingle Creek Festival 2025 are as follows:
Friday, 5 December
Going: chase course: good; hurdle course: good to soft (good in places)
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 12:35 pm | THE DAILY TIPS ON BETTING.BETFAIR ‘INTRODUCTORY’ JUVENILE HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | About two miles (1m 7f 216yds) | 3YO £20,000.00 |
| 1:10 pm | THE BEST ODDS ON THE BETFAIR EXCHANGE HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) (GBB RACE) (CL 3) | About two miles (1m 7f 99yds) | 4YO+ £17,500.00 Rating 0-130 |
| 1:45 pm | THE BETFAIR WINTER NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about four furlongs
(2m 3f 178yds) |
4YO+ £80,000.00 |
| 2:20 pm | THE BETFAIR ESHER NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About three miles (3m 42yds) | 4YO+ £65,000.00 |
| 2:55 pm | THE BET AT YOUR BEST WITH BETFAIR HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier) (GBB RACE) (CL 3) | About three miles (3m 42yds) | 4YO+ £17,500.00 Rating 0-135 |
| 3:30 pm | THE BETFAIR RACING PODCASTS ‘FOUR YEARS OLD’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (CL 4) | About two miles (1m 7f 216yds) | 4YO £15,000.00 Rating 0-120 |
Saturday, 6 December
Going: chase course: good; hurdle course: good to soft (good in places)
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 12:08 pm | THE BETFAIR EXCHANGE CLAREMONT NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About two miles (1m 7f 216yds) | 4YO+ £45,000.00 |
| 12:40 pm | THE BETFAIR SUPPORTS RACING WITH PRIDE MARES’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Series Qualifier) (CL 3) | Two miles about four furlongs
(2m 3f 178yds) |
3YO+ £20,000.00 Rating 0-125 |
| 1:20 pm | THE PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Two miles about seven and a half furlongs
(2m 7f 103yds) |
4YO+ £30,000.00 |
| 1:50 pm | THE BETFAIR HENRY VIII NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About two miles (1m 7f 99yds) | 4YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 2:25 pm | THE BET AT YOUR BEST WITH BETFAIR HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | About two miles (1m 7f 216yds) | 3YO+ £50,000.00 Rating 0-150 |
| 3:00 pm | THE BETFAIR TINGLE CREEK STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About two miles (1m 7f 99yds) | 4YO+ £175,000.00 |
| 3:35 pm | THE BETFAIR EXCHANGE LONDON NATIONAL HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Three miles about four and a half furlongs
(3m 4f 146yds) |
5YO+ £50,000.00 Rating 0-150 |
How to Buy Tickets
Tickets for the Tingle Creek Festival 2025 are available for purchase on the official website of the Sandown Park Racecourse.
The Racecourse was offering three enclosures for the event: the Grandstand Enclosure, the Premier Enclosure, and the 1875 Lounge. However, the 1875 Lounge is already sold out. So currently, you can buy tickets for the Grandstand Enclosure and Premier Enclosure, and you should hurry as only a few are left for the latter for Saturday.
The Grandstand Enclosure is the more affordable one. You will be granted views to standside racing action and soak in the action in the Parade Ring. During the day you can enjoy food and drinks in the catering outlets, try your luck at betting in the available betting facilities, have a picnic in the designated area, and attend the after racing entertainment.
A ticket to the Premier Enclosure will open majestic race viewing opportunities opposite the finishing line and the winning post. You can enjoy the action in the Parade Ring, try out some of the exquisite bars and food outlets at the venue, and join the excitement at the betting facilities. After the races are over, you are welcome to take part in the after racing entertainment. With a Premier Enclosure ticket you are also getting access to the Grandstand Enclosure.
Ticket prices for Friday and Saturday vary and are as follows:
Friday
- Grandstand Enclosure £22.00 per person
- Grandstand Enclosure group of over 6 people £19.80 per person
- Premier Enclosure £30.00 per person
- Premier Enclosure group of over 6 people £27.00 per person
Saturday
- Grandstand Enclosure £33.00 per person
- Grandstand Enclosure group of over 6 people £29.70 per person
- Premier Enclosure £52.50 per person
- No discounted tickets are offered for groups of over 6 people
Underage visitors below 18 get free access to any enclosure but must be accompanied by a responsible adult when entering the Racecourse. One adult can only have three accompanying U18s. Once at the venue, those under 15 years old must remain with their adults for the duration of their visit. Those aged 16 and 17 are allowed to move around on their own but must follow the rules. Their responsible adult must stay at the venue.
The Sandown Park Racecourse offers a number of hospitality packages at their renowned restaurants. If you would like to elevate your “day at the race” experience with some fine dining, you should consider one of these packages depending on your preferences. Keep in mind that some of them have already been sold out. Prices vary from £229 to £459 per package.
The Sandown Park Racecourse accepts any attire from a comfortable pair of jeans and trainers to a glamorous dress with a pair of high heels, as long as the guests feel their best self. Visitors are advised to take weather into account, as they will be spending most of their day outdoors.
Fancy dress is permitted as long as it is not deemed inappropriate, vulgar, or offensive. However, guests are requested to refrain from wearing favourite club colours and team kits, as it may cause unnecessary confrontations.
Travel & Transport Guide
The Tingle Creek Festival is conducted at the Sandown Park Racecourse located at the following address: Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Rd, Esher, Surrey KT10 9AJ. You can reach your destination by various means of transportation from different directions.
If you are travelling to the Sandown Park Racecourse by rail, your nearest train station would be the Esher Train Station. From there you can take a leisurely walk to the racecourse that will take you only about 10 minutes. Esher Train Station allows you to travel to London Waterloo, Woking, and Guildford.
If you would prefer to drive to the Racecourse on the race day, take A3 from London and follow the special brown signs for the Sandown Park Racecourse. You will need to exit A3 on to A307 and continue following the signs until you arrive at the venue.
If you are travelling from outside London, exit from M25 at Junction 10, then continue following A3 until you make an exit onto A307. The brown venue signs will lead you once you enter A3.
Sandown Park Racecourse offers various free and paid options for parking, depending on where you choose to leave your car. There are also designated disabled parking places.
If you are flying in for the Tingle Creek Festival 2025, both London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport are well connected to the Racecourse by road and rail. The former is 30 minutes away from the venue, while the latter is 45 minutes away.
Headline Races at the Tingle Creek Festival 2025
The Tingle Creek Festival 2025 includes 13 races, with 6 races conducted on the first day and 7 races conducted on the second day of the event. The Festival offers diverse conditions, tracks, and runners to ensure that every race enthusiast to visit the Sandown Park Racecourse will find something exciting and to their taste.
Winter Novices’ Hurdle (Friday, 5 December)
The Betfair Winter Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over the distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (2 miles, 3 furlongs and 173 yards, or 3,980 metres) and includes nine hurdles to be jumped.
Aimed at novice hurdlers, the race has changed its distance several times in the past, going from 2 miles 5 furlongs and 75 yards up until 1992, 2 miles and 6 furlongs between 1992 and 1999, and then to the current distance.
While the records from 1983 onwards don’t hold any names of the horses who would win the Winter Novices’ Hurdle more than once, three jockeys took the cup home three times each: Tony McCoy (See More Business 1995, Lightning Strike 2007, Taquin de Seuil 2012), Richard Johnson (What’s Up Boys 1999, Fingal Bay 2011, Killala Quay 2013), and Wayne Hutchinson (Manyriverstocross 2009, Label Des Obeaux 2015, Alsa Mix 2018).
The records also keep the names of two highly successful trainers, who won the Winter Novices’ Hurdle five times each: Alan King (Junior 2008, Manyriverstocross 2009, Label Des Obeaux 2015, Messire Des Obeaux 2016, Alsa Mix 2018) and Paul Nicholls (See More Business 1995, Ladalko 2004, Neptune Collonges 2005, Enrilo 2019, Henri the Second 2022).
Currently, there are 8 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Jockeys for the race are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders and their trainers runs as follows:
- Absolutely Doyen (age 5, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- Crackerjacque (age 5, trainer Anthony Honeyball)
- Kripticjim (age 5, trainer Joe Tizzard)
- No Drama This End (age 5, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- Real Quartz (age 5, trainer Dan Skelton)
- The Blue Room (age 5, trainer Olly Murphy)
- Top Jimmy (age 5, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
- Tormund Giantsbane (age 5, trainer Dan Skelton)
Tingle Creek Steeple Chase (Saturday, 6 December)
The Betfair Tingle Creek Steeple Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over the distance of about 2 miles (1 mile 7 furlongs and 119 yards, or 3,126 metres) and includes thirteen fences to be jumped.
It was established in 1969 and initially was named Benson & Hedges Gold Cup. It changed its name once before 1979, then was renamed again into Tingle Creek Handicap Chase in 1979. The name honoured a famous National Hunt racehorse, Tingle Creek, who earned 23 wins during his racing career, including in 1973 the race that would later take his name.
In 1994, the Tingle Creek Steeple Chase received a Grade I status, discontinuing the handicap race status.
Currently, there are 9 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Jockeys for the race are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders and their trainers runs as follows:
- Boothill (age 10, trainer Harry Fry)
- Edwardstone (age 11, trainer Alan King)
- Gidleigh Park (age 7, trainer Harry Fry)
- Il Etait Temps (age 7, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Jonbon (age 9, trainer Nicky Henderson)
- L’eau Du Sud (age 7, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Libberty Hunter (age 9, trainer Evan Williams)
- Solness (age 7, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Only By Night (age 7, trainer Gavin Cromwell)
Betting at Tingle Creek Festival
When it comes to betting, Tingle Creek Festival doesn’t fall behind other British horse racing events and offers betting opportunities both online and at the venue where you can place your wager either in a special betting facility or with a bookie at the tracks. Many online bookmaking platforms will also include offers on various horse race betting markets for Tingle Creek Festival races.
At 7bet, we offer a wide range of horse race betting markets both for domestic and international events.
Please note that odds for the Tingle Creek Festival 2025 will be available closer to the event date.
Betting at the Tingle Creek Festival 2025 includes various horse betting markets, with some of the most popular ones being:
- Win: This betting market allows you to place a bet on a horse that you think has the highest chance of winning the race. If your prediction happens to be correct, you will get a payout proportional to the offered odds and your stake size. Same as in other sports, this betting market operates on the main goal behind any competition: predicting the outcome and the winner. As it is very easy to follow, it is often recommended to those who are just making their first steps in the world of horse race betting.
- Place: It may happen that you want to place a bet on a horse but want to safeguard your stake in case it doesn’t come to the finish line first. This is especially helpful if the horse is competing against strong opponents or has a history of finishing within the winning top. In that case you can bet that the horse will be placed in the race. This means it has to come to the finish line within the winning top. This will range between top two and top four depending on how many runners entered the race. The aspect that lowers your risk is that you don’t have to predict the exact placement for your horse. As long as it is placed, you are eligible for a payout.
- First Two (or First Three): This betting market allows you to place a wager on the entire winning top. This can also range between first two or first three horses to finish the race, depending on the total number of runners. Keep in mind that you are not placing a separate stake on each horse. Instead, you have to name all horses within the defined winning top and place one wager on the bet. Here it is important that not only all the horses you named are placed but also come to the finish line in the exact order you specified in your bet. Even if one horse misses the winning top or they finish in a different order, your wager won’t qualify for a payout.
- Two From Three: If you are betting on this betting market, you are operating under quite a similar mechanism with the previous bet, but in this case the risk will be slightly lower. Your task here is to predict two out of the three horses that will come to the finish line first. One thing that works in your favour is that you don’t need to predict the specific order in which they are going to finish the race. As long as both horses are placed within the winning top three, you are eligible for a payout. However, if one of the two horses doesn’t make it into the winning top three, your wager will be disqualified.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
Tingle Creek Steeple Chase Past Winners
Tingle Creek Steeple Chase has been around since 1969, and in its history of over 55 years it has hosted on its track some excellent runners, skilled jockeys, and outstanding trainers who would do their best and emerge as winners at the end of the race. The horses who won the Tingle Creek Steeple Chase in the past 25 years since 2000 were the following:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2000 | Flagship Uberalles | 6 | Richard Johnson | Noel Chance |
| 2001 | Flagship Uberalles | 7 | Robert Widger | Philip Hobbs |
| 2002 | Cenkos | 8 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls |
| 2003 | Moscow Flyer | 9 | Barry Geraghty | Jessica Harrington |
| 2004 | Moscow Flyer | 10 | Barry Geraghty | Jessica Harrington |
| 2005 | Kauto Star | 5 | Mick Fitzgerald | Paul Nicholls |
| 2006 | Kauto Star | 6 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls |
| 2007 | Twist Magic | 5 | Sam Thomas | Paul Nicholls |
| 2008 | Master Minded | 5 | Tony McCoy | Paul Nicholls |
| 2009 | Twist Magic | 7 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls |
| 2010 | Master Minded | 7 | Noel Fehily | Paul Nicholls |
| 2011 | Sizing Europe | 9 | Andrew Lynch | Henry de Bromhead |
| 2012 | Sprinter Sacre | 6 | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson |
| 2013 | Sire De Grugy | 7 | Jamie Moore | Gary Moore |
| 2014 | Dodging Bullets | 6 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Paul Nicholls |
| 2015 | Sire De Grugy | 9 | Jamie Moore | Gary Moore |
| 2016 | Un de Sceaux | 8 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2017 | Politologue | 6 | Harry Cobden | Paul Nicholls |
| 2018 | Altior | 8 | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
| 2019 | Defi Du Seuil | 6 | Barry Geraghty | Philip Hobbs |
| 2020 | Politologue | 9 | Harry Skelton | Paul Nicholls |
| 2021 | Greaneteen | 7 | Bryony Frost | Paul Nicholls |
| 2022 | Edwardstone | 8 | Tom Cannon | Alan King |
| 2023 | Jonbon | 7 | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
| 2024 | Jonbon | 8 | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
Bay gelding Jonbon was 8 when he won the Tingle Creek Steeple Chase in 2024. This was his second win in a row. The entire 2024 season was exceptionally successful for Nicky Henderson’s charge, as he won four out of 5 races he participated in and was placed second in one.
Beginning from his maiden season in 2021, Jonbon has won most races he had entered, with occasional placement, which never went below the second place. He has already been announced among the runners for this year’s race.
For jockey Nico de Boinville this was his third win at the Tingle Creek Steeple Chase. He had previously won with Altior in 2018 and then in 2023 in Jonbon’s debut run.
Nicky Henderson, on the other hand, bagged his fourth win in 2024. Two previous ones were both with jockey Nico de Boinville (Altior in 2018 and Jonbon in 2023), while his debut win was in 2012 with Sprinter Sacre and multiple time winner jockey Barry Geraghty.
Tingle Creek Steeple Chase Records
The rules of the Tingle Creek Steeple Chase allow for horses of both genders aged four years or older to participate in the race. This means that any horse can enter the competition more than once in its race career, and potentially also win it multiple times. Below you will find a list of the horses, jockeys, and trainers with the highest number of wins since the inauguration of the race.
- Leading horse: Flagship Uberalles with 3 wins (1999, 2000, 2001)
- Leading jockey: Richard Dunwoody with 5 wins (Lefrak City 1985, Waterloo Boy 1991, 1992, Sound Man 1995, 1996)
- Leading trainer: Paul Nicholls with 12 wins (Flagship Uberalles 1999, Cenkos 2002, Kauto Star 2005, 2006, Twist Magic 2007, 2009, Master Minded 2008, 2010, Dodging Bullets 2014, Politologue 2017, 2020, Greaneteen 2021)
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