SANDOWN PARK NEWS: BET365 JUMP FINALE TO BEGIN 30 MINUTES EARLIER THAN SCHEDULED TO HELP RACING FANS WATCH DRAMATIC TRAINERS’ TITLE RACE UNFOLD

Wednesday 23rd April

This Saturday’s bet365 Jump Finale fixture at Sandown Park will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled, to ensure racing fans can watch the thrilling conclusion to the Jump Trainers’ Championship live on ITV 1.

As the seventh and final race on Saturday’s card, the bet365 Handicap Hurdle was due to start at 5.20pm, 20 minutes after ITV Racing go off air.

However, Sandown Park Racecourse and the British Horseracing Authority have collaborated to bring forward the first race of the day, the bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle, from 1.50pm to 1.20pm and the closing race from a 5.20pm to 4.45pm start.

Further changes to Saturday’s running order include moving the bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase from the sixth to the second race, the bet365 Oaksey Chase from the second to the third, the bet365 Celebration Chase from the third to the fifth, the bet365 Select Hurdle from the fifth to the fourth and the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase from the fourth to the sixth.

The changes will ensure ITV Racing’s 1.30pm to 5pm show covers the last six races of the season live, giving fans the chance to see the outcome of this year’s Jump Trainers’ Championship title race between Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins.

Andrew Cooper, Clerk of the Course at Sandown Park, said: “Saturday promises to be a gripping end to the jumps season and we wanted racing fans who can’t join us on the day to be able to watch all the drama unfold live on ITV Racing.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the BHA, participants and the teams at Haydock Park and Leicester racecourses, who have moved races to accommodate our changes at very short notice.

“All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home.”

Richard Willoughby, ITV Racing Programme Editor, said: “The quest for the trainer's title looks set to go down to the wire and provides us with a fantastic narrative on Jump Finale day.

“A huge thank you to Andrew Cooper, Clerk of the Course at Sandown Park, Jockey Club Racecourses, the BHA and RMG for reworking the order of running and for allowing us to show the six races that could prove decisive in deciding who wins this coveted prize.”

 SATURDAY’S BET365 JUMP FINALE RUNNING ORDER

 1.20pm - bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle

1.50pm – bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase

 2.25pm – bet365 Oaksey Chase 

 3pm – bet365 Select Hurdle

 3.35pm – bet 365 Celebration Chase

 4.10pm – bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase

 4.45pm - bet365 Handicap Hurdle