Betfred Gold Cup day at Sandown

the Betfred Gold Cup at 16.10 CET this afternoon at Sandown is the main feature of an excellent card, which also marks the official end of the British N.H. season. It is a mixed meeting which offers something for everyone, with 4 N.H. and 4 flat races, including 2 group races. The Gold Cup itself is a valuable 3 3/4 miles handicap chase with 15 runners and is wide open, although arguably it is not as high class as in the old days, when it was known as the Whitbread. Trainer Philip Hobbs is in great form and has a good record here, so his Lacdoudal (Richard Johnson ), who won this in 2006 must be respected, even though his recent form is less exciting. Others for the short list are Hoo La Baloo (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) - third last year and targeted at this ever since - Oodachee (Charlie Swan/ David Casey), runner-up in the Topham Trophy last time, another Irish raider Church Island (Michael Hourigan/ Denis O´Regan), runner-up in the Irish Grand National last week, and bot tom-weight Zacharova (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman). The other big jumping race today is the Celebration Chase over 2 miles at 15.35. Although Paul Nicholls is now sending his star 2-miler Master Minded to Punchestown, he is still strongly represented with 3 runners here, of whom ex- German Twist Magic (Ruby Walsh) looks the best. However the top novice Kalahari King (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) looks the one to beat after his brilliant Aintree win. Nicholls also has a strong hand in the listed hurdle at 14.35 with American Trilogy (Walsh) and Sporazene (Harry Skelton), but we feel that oldtimer Alph (Ron Teal/ Tony McCoy), runner-up here last year and last time out down the field in the Champion hurdle, could provide a turn-up. The handicap hurdle at 15.05 looks very tricky, with Spanish Conquest (Hobbs/ Rhys Flint) going for his fourth win in a row, and Tasheba (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) and bottom-weight Dantari (Evan Williams(/ Paul Moloney) both chasing a hat-tr ick. They are all moving up in grade, and possibly Altihar (Gary And Jamie Moore) can run a big race at a long price.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Nisaal - Spotty Muldoon - Collateral Damage
2. Race: American Trilogy - Sporazene - Songe
3. Race: Distiller - Tasheba - Spanish Conquest
4. Race: Kalahari King - Twist Magic - Mahogany Blaze
5. Race: Hoo La Baloo - Lacdoudal - Oodachee
6. Race: Paco Boy - Virtual - Stotsfold
7. Race: Tartan Bearer - Pipedreamer - Buccellati
8. Race: Light From Mars - Decameron - Isphahan