Horse racing is one of the best sports to watch in the United Kingdom and especially around London where there are so many racetracks within a commutable distance. Whether you prefer flat racing or jumps racing, the capital certainly knows how to cater for all fans of the sport. We’ll now look at the best races on offer to ensure that you know when to get your ticket.
King George VI Chase (Kempton Park)
Outside of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National, the King George VI Chase is perhaps the most notable race in the jumps racing calendar. The contest is staged at Kempton Park and is the main event for racing over the Christmas period. Top owners, trainers and jockeys all battle for the crown, which is one of the ultimate tests of the leading chasers in the sport. It usually sets the barometer for horses that plan to compete for the Gold Cup due to the rigours of the three miles of the race.
Tornado Flyer has turned himself into a contender in the horse racing tips for Cheltenham at 11/1 due to his performance in the race in 2021, beating out a talented field to win the race. There is no shortage of drama when the King George VI Chase is in town, and the atmosphere at Kempton Park is one of the best in the country. Tickets can be as cheap as £10 to enter into one of the enclosures, or if you fancy making more of a day of it there are more expensive options available in the Grand Stand. Transport links are readily available as Kempton Park has its own train station, which is just a stone’s throw from the racecourse, while trains run direct from London Waterloo. Alternatively, there are spaces to park the car, although priority within the racecourse is given to officials rather than spectators. That being said, it is not a race that should be missed and provides the perfect post-Christmas day out.
Tingle Creek Chase (Sandown Park)
If the King George VI Chase sets the tone for the Gold Cup, then the Tingle Creek Chase is the mark at mid-season to determine which horses are in the running for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The horses compete over one mile, seven furlongs and 119 yards of the course at Sandown Park, which provides a picturesque setting and a tough environment for all competitors. Truly great horses from the National Hunt have forged legacies, beginning with victories at the Tingle Creek Chase such as Kauto Star and Altior among others.
It is a great venue to watch superstars of the sport perform at a high level in the early stages of December. Again the cost is not overly expensive for a ticket in one of the enclosures at around £14 where you will have access to all the amenities required for a day out, although there are also hospitality options to add a meal and a comfortable seat to your package. Good transport links make the venue a fairly simple one to reach with rail and bus services readily available. Esher train station is only as 10-minute walk from Sandown Park, making it the perfect stop to reach if you do not fancy bringing the car. In terms of atmosphere, you will be getting a top-notch experience to match the best around the country.
These two races are prime examples of great racing entertainment that are a very short distance away from central London. They are perfect venues for a day out at the races to see top entertainment without having to travel to Cheltenham or further afield to Aintree.
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