Sandown Park Presents a Full Day of National Hunt Action on January 3rd

A jumping programme at Sandown Park will take shape on Saturday, 3 January 2026, with Sandown Park Race Cards 3 January outlining a seven-race National Hunt fixture scheduled to run from 12:15pm through to 3:35pm. The card will feature a mix of maiden hurdles, handicap hurdles, and steeplechases across a range of distances, providing a structured afternoon of winter jumping at the Surrey venue.

The opening contest at 12:15pm will be THE WATCH THE RACING POSTCAST MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) over 2m 21y, with seven runners declared for the £15,000 prize. Contacto, Fouroneohfever, Golly Gosh, and Night Ride Home will form part of a compact field expected to set an even early tempo as several lightly raced types look to establish themselves.

At 12:45pm, attention will turn to THE SMARTVIEW RACECARDS HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) over the sharp trip of 1m 7f 119y. Five runners will compete for £30,000, with Keep Running, Vanderpoel, Gabriel’s Getaway, and Kotmask among those set to line up in what should be a tactically run contest.

The 1:15pm race will be THE ACCA BOOSTS SENIORS’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) over 2m 3f 218y, attracting 11 runners and carrying prize money of £20,000. North Lodge, Stolen Silver, Sonigino, and Henri The Second will be notable names in a field that should test stamina as well as jumping fluency.

At 1:50pm, a Class 3 middle-distance veterans’ contest will be staged as THE MIDDLE DISTANCE VETERANS’ HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) over 2m 4f 55y. Six experienced chasers will compete for £25,000, including Jet Plane, Numitor, Hurricane Bay, and Triple Trade.

The feature hurdle at 2:25pm will be THE MARES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) over 2m 3f 218y. Six runners will contest the £40,000 prize, with Jubilee Alpha, Good Look Charm, Nurse Susan, and Shantwopointfive set to line up in a race expected to showcase quality and consistency.

At 3:05pm, the afternoon’s richest contest will arrive with THE VETERANS’ HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) over 3m 92y. Nine runners will line up for the £100,000 prize, with Le Milos, Gustavian, Nocte Volatus, and Copperhead among the established stayers expected to tackle Sandown’s demanding finish.

The card will close at 3:35pm with THE READ NICKY HENDERSON’S BLOG HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) over 2m 21y. Eight runners will compete for £30,000, including Nardaran, Hot Fuss, Continuance, and Imaginarium, rounding off a full and varied programme.

Sandown Park’s stiff track and testing uphill run-in will place emphasis on stamina throughout the afternoon, particularly in the longer handicap chases. With a blend of established veterans and emerging hurdlers across the card, the meeting is expected to provide informative form lines as the winter season progresses.

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