We run the rule over the potential contenders ahead of Saturday's bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown Park.
3.32 Sandown - bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase
Winner: £90,032
Runners: Maximum field 20
Odds & offers: Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook
WIN MY WINGS 🌟🌟🌟
Has flown through the grades since the turn of the year and won the Scottish Grand National like a very well-handicapped mare. Subsequent rise of a stone makes life much tougher now but she jumps, she stays and she's clearly in exceptionally good heart.
POTTERMAN 🌟🌟🌟
Has more than held his own over the past few seasons and generally lands on a nice prize each year. Perhaps last time out was that day in the sun as he only just got up and has been raised 2lb to what is now a career-high mark. It was his first outing after wind surgery, though, so not impossible he has a bit more to offer.
HEWICK 🌟
Had a fine season already and last month's low-key Midlands Grand National effort could be put down to the testing conditions as much as the hike in the ratings. Still hard to see him proving up to this task, though.
KITTY'S LIGHT 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Cracking little gelding who clearly thrives on his racing and arguably remains on an upward curve in the staying chase world. Most recent efforts, when following home stablemates Cap Du Nord and Win My Wings at Kempton and Ayr respectively, look on a par with last year's fine effort in this event and he remains perfectly well treated from a revised mark of 145. Every chance he's among the leading players if the ground comes up decent.
ENRILO 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Must have been quite tempting to roll the dice in the Scottish National after a more promising effort when fourth to Cap Du Nord at Kempton towards the end of February but decision was made to keep him fresh for this and he looks a huge threat to all being a lightly-raced stayer from the top yard in the country. Looked the best horse in the race 12 months ago, when passing the post first but later demoted to third, and he's running off just 1lb higher this time so obvious claims of redemption.
DOMAINE DE L'ISLE 🌟🌟🌟
Unshipped Harry Bannister at The Chair in the Grand National, which looked quite an ambitious assignment on the face of it (125/1). Drop in distance here should play to his strengths as he's proved late last season and earlier this campaign that a stiff three miles isn't beyond him. A reduced mark of 140 doesn't look too harsh either so chance he could play some sort of role.
FIDUX 🌟🌟🌟
Solid spring/summer handicap chaser who doesn't seem to have any issues with this sort of trip these days. Ran a bold race when fourth to Win My Wings in the Scottish National most recently and being eased 2lb for it looks a bit of a bonus. Has won off 140 before so while others may have more potential, he's in with a shot of placing at least.
STREETS OF DOYEN 🌟🌟
Was taken out of the Irish Grand National on Monday but heads here off the back of pulling up behind L'Homme Presse at Cheltenham. These are calmer waters and not without a chance.
FLEGMATIK 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Has taken a little while to realise his chasing potential but something has clearly clicked at Kempton and showed a bit more dash when winning over a shorter trip from subsequent winner Foxboro last time. Now 2-3 since the breathing operation, he looks a seven-year-old going places and should really appreciate the return to this more stamina-sapping distance. Looks likely to be coming home well when others have cried enough.
CAP DU NORD 🌟🌟🌟
Got himself attractively handicapped before taking full advantage at Kempton in February, where he looked right back to his old self. Pulled-up subsequently at Aintree, though, so takes a bit of a leap of faith to side with him here even though his trainer can seemingly do no wrong in this sort of event this season.
VIA DOLOROSA 🌟
Vastly experienced French import who looks to have been bought with 'Nationals' in mind and he earned a crack at the Scottish version with back-to-back wins at Southwell and Fakenham in March this year. Pulled-up at Ayr when stamina appeared to give in and not too much better in the Topham at Aintree earlier this month. Still 7lb higher than for last win and not one for the shortlist.
PRIME VENTURE 🌟🌟
Likeable old warrior who powered home in the mud here to win the valuable Veterans' Final in January though he's not been performing at the same level since then and no doubt needs a deluge to be seen at his best this weekend.
STEP BACK 🌟🌟
Has enjoyed his finest days at this venue including winning 2018 edition of this race. Lightly-raced since but most recent success came in November 2020 and form this year including in Cross Country last time leaves plenty to be desired so up against it despite falling handicap mark.
MUSICAL SLAVE 🌟🌟🌟
Evidently found his mojo again this spring with wins over three miles here and at Haydock just last weekend (first-time cheekpieces). Had been proving quite frustrating so great to see he's turned a corner but whether he's asked to line up again so soon is another matter. Chance has to be respected if so.
EL PASO WOOD 🌟🌟🌟
Another entry for David Pipe and owner Judith Wilson (along with Romaine De Senam and Via Dolorosa) and he's arguably a shade more interesting despite pulling up at Ayr. Had earlier shaped pretty well when fourth in the Midlands National and this slightly shorter trip could help him take a hand. Has had a busy enough season, though and still 11lb higher than for most recent win at Wincanton in January.
Conclusion:
Kitty's Light and Enrilo are both likely to be primed for another shot at this after the drama that unfolded 12 months ago but there are some interesting new faces including FLEGMATIK.
The Skelton team have clearly found the key to him and have kept him fresh since his last win which came over a shorter trip. He'll be held onto and played late back up in distance here.
- Flegmatik
- Enrilo
- Kitty's Light
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