Fun and games at Sandown

Sandown Park is to stage an afternoon of sporting activities on Saturday when it plays host to the ‘Paddy Power Poker Raceday’.

In addition to a seven-race card, the Esher track will invite racegoers to get behind London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics with the Olympic Games ‘leap counter’.

The device is being used in London and around the country to officially register support for the London bid and people are being encouraged to make a ‘Leap for London’ by jumping through the counter.

Kriss Akabusi will be the Olympic 2012 ambassador present on the day, with Ken Doherty and Jimmy White from the world of snooker as well as Ronnie Wood and Alan Brazil in attendance.

The Brooke Hospital will benefit from the afternoon as it hosts a penalty shoot-out against top goalkeeper coach Dave Beasant of Fulham.

Frankie Dettori, Mick Fitzgerald, Richard Dunwoody and Channel 4’s John Francome and John McCririck are among those expected to take part in a celebrity penalty shoot-out as part of the ‘Courses for Horses’ campaign to help working horses overseas.