Today's UK Horse Racing – Sunday 12 July 2026

Sunday jumping is very much alive and kicking this 12th of July, with two venues flying the flag for British racing and serving up a combined 13 races across the afternoon and early evening. Sandown Park and Newton Abbot are your destinations today, offering punters a rich mix of novice hurdles, handicap chases and some tasty GBB-qualifying contests that could shape the careers of several promising young jumpers. Whether you're watching from the sofa, the betting shop or trackside, this is your complete one-stop guide to today's horse racing in the UK.

Conditions are largely favourable for summer jumping. Sandown is racing on Good to Firm ground, which will put a premium on slick, athletic jumpers who can travel through their races with fluency, while Newton Abbot's Good going is about as close to ideal as you'll find for the Devon track's tight, turning nature. Trainers and jockeys will be delighted with what's underfoot at both venues.

Sandown Park – Jump Racing Under the Surrey Sun

Sandown Park Racecourse hosts seven races today, with the action getting under way at 13:50. The Surrey track's top prize stands at £13,650, and with Good to Firm ground in play, expect front-runners to be at a premium and accurate jumping to be rewarded. Be sure to check out the full Sandown Park Preview for our race-by-race analysis and best bets.

The Welcome to Family Day Juvenile Hurdle (Class 4, GBB Race)

This is arguably the standout race at Sandown today. As a GBB (Great British Bonus) qualifier, connections of any winner bred in Britain or Ireland could be in line for a lucrative bonus, which inevitably sharpens the quality of the entries. Juvenile hurdles in the summer are fascinating puzzles – these are horses who have only recently made the switch from the Flat, and reading the form requires a careful eye on their bumper and Flat profiles rather than established jumping form. Look for runners with a high cruising speed who have shown they can settle, as Sandown's undulations and the Good to Firm surface will expose any who are wasteful at their hurdles.

The Next Sunday Is Ladies Day Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle (Class 5)

Novices' limited handicap hurdles are often fertile hunting grounds for punters, as the handicapper is working with limited data and progressive types can be significantly ahead of their mark. Today's renewal at Sandown is no exception. Keep an eye on horses who have shown improvement in their last two or three starts – trainers frequently target these races with horses they believe are well handicapped, and a stable in form can be a powerful pointer. The Good to Firm ground means stamina will be tested, so don't overlook runners with a strong jumping technique who can maintain their rhythm throughout.

The Gary Hubball's 60th Celebration Year Novices' Handicap Chase (Class 5)

What a way to celebrate a 60th birthday – by having a race named in your honour at one of Britain's most beloved tracks! Racing's ability to bring people together is on full display here. On the form side, novice handicap chases are where mistakes can be costly on Good to Firm ground, so give serious consideration to horses who have already shown they can jump cleanly under pressure. Experienced chasers stepping back into novice company are worth noting, and any runner who has already won over fences this season deserves a close look at the weights.

Newton Abbot – Devon Drama on Good Ground

Newton Abbot Racecourse stages six races today, with the first off at 14:06. The top prize at the Devon track is a very healthy £15,000, making it the richer of today's two cards. Newton Abbot's tight, flat circuit with its sharp bends suits a particular type of horse – nippy, well-balanced jumpers who can find their rhythm quickly and maintain it around the turns. Good ground here is a real bonus for summer jumping enthusiasts. Dive into the full Newton Abbot Preview for our detailed selections and analysis.

The Book Your Christmas Party Novices' Hurdle (Class 4, GBB Race)

Another GBB-qualifying novice hurdle, and another opportunity to catch a future star in the making. Newton Abbot's novice hurdles often attract runners from the powerful West Country stables, and trainers such as those based in the Paul Nicholls and Colin Tizzard mould have long used the track as a launching pad for their exciting novices. Watch the market carefully in this one – well-backed newcomers or horses having their second or third run over hurdles can be significantly better than their bare form suggests.

The Sun Racing Summer Jumps Championship Handicap Chase (Class 4, GBB Race)

This is the feature race of the day and the one that will have most punters reaching for their form books. As part of the Sun Racing Summer Jumps Championship series, there is added prestige and competitive depth to this contest. Handicap chases over Newton Abbot's circuit are notoriously difficult to predict – the tight track can compress fields and lead to scrappy jumping, but it also means that a well-handicapped, slick jumper can steal a march on rivals who are still finding their feet. Look for horses who have run well at the track before, as course experience is a genuine asset at Newton Abbot.

The Saints in the Community Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

Rounding off the key races at Newton Abbot is this Class 4 handicap hurdle, which carries a community spirit in its title and should deliver a competitive finish. Handicap hurdles on Good ground at Newton Abbot tend to be run at a strong gallop from the front, and hold-up horses can sometimes find themselves with too much to do around the tight bends. Front-runners and prominent racers with a reliable jumping technique are the ones to be focusing on here.

Key Form Angles and Punter's Pointers

  • GBB Races: Three of today's key races are GBB qualifiers – the bonus incentive sharpens fields and means connections are running their best horses. Take these races seriously.
  • Going: Good to Firm at Sandown puts a premium on jumping accuracy and athletic movement. Good at Newton Abbot is near-perfect for summer jumping.
  • Course form: Newton Abbot's tight circuit rewards horses who have won or placed there before. Always check course records.
  • Trainer form: In summer jumping, in-form yards can dominate. Check which trainers are firing on all cylinders this week before placing your bets.
  • Market moves: With smaller fields common in summer jumping, late market moves can be very significant. Watch the show prices carefully.

Summary – Make the Most of Today's Racing

Sunday 12 July 2026 might not be the busiest day in the British racing calendar, but with 13 races across Sandown Park and Newton Abbot, there is more than enough quality and intrigue to keep any punter thoroughly entertained. The GBB-qualifying novice contests at both tracks could throw up horses who go on to much bigger things, while the Sun Racing Summer Jumps Championship Handicap Chase at Newton Abbot provides the day's most prestigious prize. Good ground conditions at both venues mean the racing should be fast, clean and competitive throughout.

For the very best chance of finding a winner today, make sure you've read both the Sandown Park Preview and the Newton Abbot Preview before the first race goes off. Good luck, and enjoy the racing!