Saturday 12 March
Paddy Power Imperial Cup Day
This event has now passed. Please view our current events here.
saturday afternoon jump racing
If there was a perfect prelude to the Cheltenham Festival then Paddy Power Imperial Cup Day at Sandown Park is almost certainly it.
In years gone by winners of the two mile prize have gone on to glory at The Festival the following week, including Blowing Wind in 1998, who followed up in the County Hurdle, and 2007 winner Gaspara, who backed her win up in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
Equally as competitive is the Grade Three European Breeders’ Fund Paddy Power ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, which was claimed in 2007 by subsequent dual Ryanair Chase winner Albertas Run.
There will be two Listed races on the card this year with the Listed Paddy Power Novices’ Handicap Chase, switched from The Festival, joining the British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Winners of the Paddy Power Imperial Cup will not be the only ones with a potential outing at Cheltenham, with the Paddy Power Three Sleeps To Cheltenham Juvenile Handicap Hurdle also offering an 11th hour opportunity to creep up the weights ahead of potential Festival engagements.
Don't rush away! We will be showing International Rugby after racing in the Surrey Hall. Our Diamond Edge bar will remain open throughout the match and some light bite food options will be available
GATES OPEN
11:15am
FIRST RACE
1:15pm
LAST RACE
4:45pm
| START TIME | RACE | DISTANCE |
|---|---|---|
| 1:15pm | THE PADDY POWER JUVENILE HANDICAP HURDLE RACE |
2 miles |
| 1:50pm | THE EUROPEAN BREEDERS’ FUND PADDY POWER ‘NATIONAL HUNT’ NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE FINAL (GRADE 3) |
2 miles 4 furlongs |
| 2:25pm | THE PADDY POWER IMPERIAL CUP HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (GRADE 3) |
2 miles |
| 3:00pm | THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MARES STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE | 2 miles |
| 3:35pm | THE PADDY POWER NOVICES’ HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (LISTED RACE) |
2 miles 4 furlongs |
| 4:10pm | THE PADDY POWER HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE | 3 miles |
| 4:45pm | THE PADDY POWER ‘3 SLEEPS TO CHELTENHAM’ HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE |
2 miles 4 furlongs |
PARKING
- Complimentary parking is available in the Centre of the Course, accessible via More Lane
- Parking in the Portsmouth Road Car Park is available for £5.00
OTHER TRAVEL
- The Entrance from Esher Train Station across the centre of the course will be open for this fixture
- We will also be operating our shuttle bus service from Esher Station to the Main Entrance
- We have been informed that there will be two trains an hour from Waterloo to Esher Station. Trains will terminate at Weybridge Station and will be replaced with a bus service to Woking. Please check South Western Railway for more information
- Please remember that Esher rail station is located outside of Zones 1-6 and that Oyster Cards are not valid when travelling to Esher. A paper ticket must be purchased in advance of travelling
TIMINGS
- Gates open 11.15am | First Race is 1.15pm | Last Race 4.45pm
- THE PADDY POWER IMPERIAL CUP HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (GRADE 3) is at 2.25pm
- You can access the Racecourse via our Main Entrance (Portsmouth Road) or via our Grandstand Crossing in the centre of the course. Premier ticket holders and Members can also use the Members Crossing in the centre of the course
ON COURSE
- Please ensure you have your tickets ready to be scanned on arrival
- We are continuing to recommend all guests take a Lateral Flow Test before attending our fixtures, but this is not mandatory. You will not be required to show proof of this on entry. We are also continuing to recommend wearing face masks in crowded indoor spaces and checking in via the NHS COVID-19 app on arrival. QR codes remain located around the racecourse to enable you to check in should you wish to
- Face masks and maintaining a safe distance from others are encouraged in all indoor areas
- Racecards will be available at this meeting and will be £3.00. They can be purchased at any of the Entrances and Tote outlets
- We will be operating both Grandstand and Premier Enclosures for this fixture. Grandstand ticket holders can pay to upgrade to the Premier Enclosure on the day (card/contactless payment only)
FOOD & DRINK
- Food and Drink outlets will be open throughout the Surrey Hall
- We will be operating cashless sales throughout our food and drink outlets, including concessions. For betting facilities cash payment will still be accepted, but contactless payments are recommended
- Picnics are permitted on course as per pre-COVID rules - They can only be consumed in the picnic enclosure by the Racecourse. Please refer to our picnic guidelines for more information
WEATHER & DRESS CODE
- We are looking forward to welcoming you to Paddy Power Imperial Cup Day at Sandown Park Racecourse. We hope that the weather will be kind, but such is the nature of the great British weather that we cannot guarantee it will be! We suggest you keep an eye on the forecasts ahead of the event and dress appropriately
- Please note that our Premier Dress Code will apply to all Premier Enclosure ticket holders
ENTERTAINMENT
- Fancy an afternoon of Racing followed by the Rugby? Join us at Paddy Power Imperial Cup Day where we will be showing the International Rugby after racing in the Surrey Hall. Our Diamond Edge bar will remain open throughout the match and some light bite food options will be available
OTHER INFORMATION
- More information can be found here
Cashless VENUE
Our racecourses continue to operate on a ‘cashless’ basis. All ticket, racecard payments and food and drink purchases within our racecourse are to be made via card payment only, unfortunately cash payments will not be accepted.
However, cash may be used when placing bets with all on-course bookmakers only.
