Race type - Mixed
Sandown
Course details
Dating back to 1870, Sandown is undoubtedly one of the UK's premier National Hunt courses and racegoers are rarely left disappointed as the racing is frequently exciting, with some of the past finishes on the stiff uphill run-in the stuff of legend.
Jumping is the name of the game here as the chase course has eleven testing fences, and the three 'Railway Fences' down the back straight come in quick succession.
GUIDE - For Racecourse
Right-handed, mixed, oval of 1m5f with 4f uphill run-in. Essentially galloping. Separate chute for 5f races, also uphill
Sandown is one of the UK's premier racing venues and is renowned for exciting finishes (aided by the stiff uphill finish) and spectacular viewing, not only of the racing but across the capital - the track is just a half hour from the centre of London. The racing tends to be high quality, with the Coral-Eclipse Stakes - run over a mile and a quarter - one of the flat season's highlights. Run in early July, it is the first opportunity for the best three-year-olds (which can include the Derby winner) to take on older horses and, with the classic generation receiving a 10lb allowance, the runners tend to be evenly matched.
Draw / Track Bias
On soft going, low numbers (was high*) have a distinct advantage over 5f. The exception being when the stalls are placed on the stands' side (infrequent these days), in which case high numbers (was low) enjoy a slight advantage when all runners stay towards the stands' rail. However, if a few of the runners break off and head towards the far side, the advantage swings back to the low numbers (was high). Over 7f and 1m, when the ground is riding good or faster, low numbers (was high) have a slight advantage and this magnified by the size of the field. On soft going, jockeys tend to head for the stands' side and any advantage is nullified.
*On 31/03/2011, the draw on all UK right-handed tracks was reversed to bring it into line with left-handed tracks. So, the draw on all courses is now: low=inside, high=outside.
Stalls: Usually go far side (low numbers) over 5f as the course is more level that side.
Principal Races
Coral-Eclipse (Group 1), bet365 Mile, bet365 Classic Trial, Brigadier Gerard Stakes, Henry II Stakes, Coral Charge, Solario Stakes.
Course Characteristics
Jumping is the name of the game here as the chase course has eleven testing fences, and the three 'Railway Fences' down the back straight come in quick succession. These not only test a horses ability to jump at speed but also demand decisive jockeyship - those riders who can get their mounts into a good rhythm and take a cut at the fences will take many lengths out of the field. The Pond Fence, which runners have to negotiate just before the turn onto the home straight, is also tricky and many a tired horse has come to grief. It's no wonder then that the legendary Desert Orchid was a standing dish around here, winning eight times and thrilling racegoers with his exuberant jumping in the process.
Even more drama is reserved for the uphill climb to the finish and in-play backers need to be certain their selection has plenty of stamina as horses will often struggle to get home. "It's never over until they've jumped the last" doesn't really apply here as the complexion of the race can change dramatically on the run-in and a policy of laying the leader over the last at short prices is more likely to pay dividends here than anywhere else. The same applies to the hurdles races, which take place on the summer flat course, and it's not unusual for horses to come from well off the pace to win. It takes an exceptional horse, or one that is very well-handicapped, to make all here so get ready to hit the lay button.
Top Trainers
Last five seasons highlight Richard Hannon (40 winners / 287 runners), Sir Michael Stoute, John Gosden, Mark Johnston and William Haggas.
Top Jockeys
Ryan Moore (50 winners / 246 rides), Richard Hughes, Frankie Dettori, Ted Durcan, Jimmy Fortune.