14:15 Sandown

Saturday 29 April 2023

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 7m 33.7s

Frodon^t⁶³

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 160| C

16/1

Grand servant who defied top weight in the Badger Beer at Wincanton on return. Has gone with his customary enthusiasm since, twice third at Kempton in the King George and 3m handicap last time. Can't be ruled out.

Form: 0-13353

The Goffer¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 149

10/1

Much improved switched to fences this term, winning valuable event at Leopardstown in February and excellent fourth in the Ultima at Cheltenham. Pulled up in Irish National at Fairyhouse last time but shaped as if still in good form so needs considering under these less testing conditions.

Form: 12314P

Annsam²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 149

20/1

Likeable chaser who scored over 3m at Kempton in January and at Ludlow 26 days ago when not ridden so aggressively as usual. Good jumper. Should prove effective over this longer trip. Considered.

Form: 1-86171

Tea Clipper^p⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 145

10/1

Made a winning start over fences at Chepstow last season and has posted generally good efforts in defeat since, sixth of 23 in Ultima at Cheltenham last time. Weighted to go well off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 44-2346

Certainly Red²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 142| C

10/1

Reliable sort who completed a hat-trick over fences at Wincanton in February. Below par after 2 months off back over hurdles at Ascot subsequently but can take a step forward now returned to this sphere.

Form: 1-B1119

Kitty's Light^p,t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 140

11/4

Really tough stayer who bids for a hat-trick after following up his Eider success with Scottish Grand National triumph last week when refitted with cheekpieces. Can race off the same mark as at Ayr (also third off a 5 lb higher mark in this 12 months ago) so he merits serious consideration.

Form: 687311

Annual Invictus⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁷⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 140

22/1

Unreliable sort overall but he's won twice over hurdles at Cheltenham and Newbury this term. Below-form eighth of 23 in Kim Muir at Cheltenham last time tough and others are more persuasive.

Form: P13P18

Revels Hill^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: K Brogan| T: H Fry| OR: 138| BF

13/2

Ended last term with 3m4f Taunton win and has taken his form up another level this season, clear second in 3m6f Exeter handicap 34 days ago. Remains relatively unexposed at long distances and he's a player.

Form: 11-2432

Enrilo^p⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| C

17/2

Smart winner over fences in 2020/21 (first past the post in this event) but he was completing for the first time this season when below-par sixth in 3m Kempton handicap in February. Others make more appeal.

Form: P4P-FP6

Moroder⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 136

16/1

Four-time winner last season who resumed his progress when landing 3m2f Doncaster handicap in March. Proven over long distances so he's no forlorn hope despite taking a 5 lb rise.

Form: 111-P01

Coolvalla^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 135

10/1

Likeable novice chaser who has improved markedly this term, completing a 4-timer at Fontwell in January then gamely adding 3m6f Exeter handicap in March (by a length from Revels Hill). Not taken lightly despite having a career-high mark to overcome.

Form: 1111P1

Broken Halo^t⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| C

10/1

Useful chaser who comes here on a hat-trick after back-to-back 3m wins in miliary races here. This is much tougher but he still commands respect.

Form: 1-76811

Musical Slave^p⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 133| C

20/1

Landed veterans' chase at Exeter in February but pulled up in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham following month. Runner-up in this event 12 months ago though so he can't be totally discounted.

Form: 12-571P

Court Master^p³⁰⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: M Scudamore| OR: 127WS

28/1

Useful winning chaser but tried blinkered when pulled up in Summer Cup at Uttoxeter (26.1f) back in June. Resumes after a wind op now with lots on his plate from 7 lb out of the handicap. Engaged Perth 2.05 Friday.

Form: 23148-P

D'jango^b,t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: D Pipe| OR: 110| D

150/1

Recorded his third victory of the season at Lingfield (28.8f) in February and not disgraced when third in Haydock veterans' contest last time. This is a very tough ask though from 24 lb "wrong" in the weights.

Form: 3414P3

Red Happy^b,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 110

150/1

Scored 3 times earlier this term but has largely disappointed since and only sixth of 9 in military race here in March when last seen over fences. It's easy to look elsewhere.

Form: PC4364

Non-Runners

Organdi¹⁸⁹

Weight: 10-3| Age: 11

T: R T Phillips J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Mucho Mas⁴⁹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: B Pauling J: Kielan Woods

Forecasts

Kitty's Light (11/4), Revels Hill (13/2), Enrilo (17/2), The Goffer (10/1), Coolvalla (10/1), Certainly Red (10/1), Tea Clipper (10/1), Broken Halo (10/1), Mucho Mas (14/1), Moroder (16/1), Frodon (16/1), Annsam (20/1), Musical Slave (20/1), Annual Invictus (22/1), Court Master (28/1), Organdi (50/1), Red Happy (150/1), D'jango (150/1)

KITTY'S LIGHT was an unlucky second here in 2021 before placing third off a 5 lb higher mark 12 months ago so can make it third time lucky on the back of his Scottish National success where he travelled more sweetly than is often the case in refitted cheekpieces, which are again sported here. Upwardly-mobile novice Coolvalla could emerge as the chief threat in his bid for a remarkable sixth win of the term, with Revels Hill and handily-weighed Tea Clipper completing the shortlist.