🏇 Sandown Park is the place to be today for Scilly Isles Saturday and a February jumps treat.
NEWSFLASH: The 2024 Scilly Isles Saturday is a wrap! Check out our HORSE RACING section here for more top meetings coming up in or around London.
CONGRATULATIONS to Nickle Back who won the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at odds of 10/1 with a superb front-running performance. The Sarah Humprey-trained horse went straight to the front at the off and never looked back to give the yard its first Grand 1 success. If was also a first Grade 1 win for jockey James Best who put in a faultless performance as Nickle Back cruised to a seven lengths win. Stay tuned here for 2025 Scilly Isles Saturday tickets news!
2024 RACEDAY PREVIEW
The National Hunt season continues apace this afternoon at Sandown Park with an exciting afternoon of jumps action. Starting at 12.50pm there are seven races to enjoy. Scilly Isles Saturday tickets are available.
Top of the bill is the feature race of the day, the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase over two miles and four furlongs. A Grade 1 race (featuring only the best horses) first run in 1964, it features potential stars in the steeplechase division. A prize pot of £100,00 is up for grabs in the race which takes place at 2.35pm.
In National Hunt a novice is a horse who has yet to win a race in the type of race it’s running in. This can either be a ‘hurdles’ race, or a ‘steeplechase’. Hurdles are padded wooden frames whereas a steeplechase (aka chase) is over fences.
BIG RACE HISTORY
Last year Irish raider Gerri Colombe, ridden by Jordan Gainford and trained by Gordon Elliott, took first prize in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase. The hugely talented horse started as the 10/11 favourite after six straight wins over hurdles. He duly held off the game Balco Coastal for a debut win over fences, making it seven wins from seven races.
In 2022 L’Homme Presse took the spoils. Ridden by Charlie Deutsch and trained by Venitia Williams, L’Homme Presse went on to show his class later in the season winning the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. And this year he is a 10/1 shot to win the ultimate prize at the festival; the Gold Cup.
Also this afternoon the Heroes Handicap Hurdle at 3.10pm is a race to keep a close watch on. The Class 1 race is sure to attract a classy entry list with a £100,000 in prize money at stake.
Today’s action often gives away some handy Cheltenham Festival pointers – so enjoy the action live and remember to keep an eye on the winners!
SCILLY ISLES SATURDAY TICKETS, TIMINGS & TRAVEL
🎟️ Tickets are available via the ‘Get Tickets’ link. Under 18s are free when accompanied by an adult. A ticket must be booked for each U18 at the time of the main purchase.
Hospitality options are available. Email premium@sportonspec.co.uk with ‘Scilly Isles Saturday’ in the subject box for price/package info OR complete the short form here.
🗝️ Gates open at 10.50am
🏇 First race at 12.50pm.
🏆 Feature race of the day – the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase – at 2.35pm.
🏇 Last race at 4.20pm.
🚊🚗 Travel tips: Free car parking is available in the centre of the racecourse accessible from the More Lane entrance. Parking in the main Sandown Park car park off Portsmouth Road costs £5. Use the train if travelling by public transport from central London. Esher railway station is nearest to the course and a 30-minute journey from London Waterloo. Access the main entrance to the racecourse by crossing the centre of the course. Note: Esher station is located outside of Zones 1-6. Oyster Cards are not valid. For train times visit the National Rail website or call 08457 48 49 50.
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