The first race will be run as the bet365 Josh Gifford Juvenile Handicap Hurdle in honour of the four times champion jockey.

His son, Nick Gifford, said: "It is an honour to have a race named after my father, particularly on a day when he won the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1982 with Shady Deal.

"He also won the Whitbread Gold Cup as a jockey in 1969 on Larbawn, the year after his brother Macer won the race on the same horse.

"Sandown Park was a racecourse he always enjoyed visiting and over the years had many horses entered into races at the course. We look forward to being there on the day."

Andrew Cooper, director of racing at Sandown added: "Josh Gifford was one of jump racing's most prolific trainers and had a tremendous record at Sandown Park as both rider and trainer.

"His last runner was Skycab, which won at Sandown Park in 2003 - it is an honour to name a race after him."