16:10 Sandown

Saturday 26 April 2025

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

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

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 7m 23.19s

Grangeclare West²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 168

14/1

High-class chaser at his best, runner-up in Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February and posting a fine third of 34 on his handicap debut in Grand National at Aintree last time when blundered final fence. Up 5 lb but he can go well again for the Mullins team.

Form: 1-P6253

Minella Cocooner²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| CD

13/2

Thrived last spring when landing this prize and he got right back on track with a seventh of 34 in Grand National at Aintree three weeks ago, fading only last 1f. A likely player down in trip off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 1-58947

Threeunderthrufive^t,p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154

33/1

A smart and consistent chaser but he turned in a rare poor effort when pulled up in Grand National at Aintree, on the retreat from halfway. Lightly campaigned this term though and the sort to bounce back.

Form: 210-32P

Dancing City²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151

8/1

Leading staying novice hurdler who bagged his first two chases at Punchestown and Naas (Grade 3) either side of Christmas. Still going well when fell 15th in Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree so he needs considering.

Form: 11-116F

High Class Hero⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| BF

10/3

A smart staying hurdler who has bettered that form in just three runs over fences, scoring at Punchestown (3m) before runner-up in a Grade 3 at Thurles (21f). Appeals as a likely improver now up in trip for his handicap debut and is the choice of Paul Townend from the Mullins 10. Big shout.

Form: 1P2-212

Victtorino⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 148

16/1

Largely progressive chaser who enhanced his excellent Ascot record when winning a couple of premier handicaps there either side of Christmas. Pulled up in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time but no surprise to see him get back on track here.

Form: 4P-311P

Monbeg Genius^t,p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 145

28/1

Smart staying chaser came in a good fourth in the Welsh National before ending a 2-year losing run at Uttoxeter (3m) in February. Hampered early when pulled up in Grand National at Aintree and can't be dismissed with relatively few miles still on the clock.

Form: 5P-241P

Lombron³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142

10/1

Much improved since sent chasing and he opened his account in this sphere in 2m4f novice at Clonmel last month. This is much tougher but he shouldn't be underestimated on his handicap chase bow with his stamina drawn out.

Form: 70P-421

Olympic Man^h1¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: J J Burke| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142| BF

20/1

Only third run over fences when winning 2m4f novice at Naas in March. Not discredited on his handicap debut when a non-staying seventh of 23 in Scottish Grand National at Ayr two weeks ago. Considered now back in trip with cheekpieces added.

Form: 2P-4617

Resplendent Grey^p1⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 141

9/2

Got off to a winning start over fences at Uttoxeter in October and has continued in good nick, staying on late having raced lazily when fourth of 18 in National Hunt at Cheltenham (3m6f) last time, Well in the mix with cheekpieces added.

Form: 112244

O'Moore Park¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| BF

12/1

Yet to score over fences but he's improved with experience and has posted two very good placed efforts in 2m5f handicaps at Cheltenham on his last two runs. Possibilities upped markedly in trip.

Form: 0-FF432

Goshen^p⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: David Noonan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 137| C

14/1

A very smart hurdler at his best. Opened chase account at Exeter last spring and not discredited back over fences, third of 6 to Hoe Joly Smoke in 3m handicap here last month. This demands a lot more though.

Form: 31-P353

Spanish Harlem^t,p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: W P Mullins| OR: 136

22/1

It's now 13 runs since his last win in 2022 but he was in good form until carried out 15th in Scottish Grand National at Ayr two weeks ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 6P-074C

Collectors Item^b⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 135

50/1

A dual chase winner (at up to 3m2f) at Uttoxeter and Wincanton this season but he was pulled up in Eider at Newcastle in February. Needs to bounce back after a break.

Form: 4-1521P

Chosen Witness^h,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: K C Sexton| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

40/1

A useful 3m-winning hurdler and he's matched that form in a light campaign over fences this season. Pulled up in Scottish Grand National at Ayr last time but he was still going well until scuppered by a blunder 4 out. Remains with potential for top yard.

Form: 10-73UP

King's Threshold^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 134

22/1

Rejuvenated by breathing surgery/fitting of a tongue strap and he completed his hat-trick in 23f handicap chase at Newbury last month. Races off a 15 lb higher mark (including 8 lb "wrong" in the weights) here though so a tough ask.

Form: 4-65111

Klarc Kent^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Kieran Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130

33/1

Still to win over fences but he got back on the up with an excellent second of 23 in Scottish Grand National at Ayr two weeks ago, clear of rest. Can't be ruled out from Mullins yard despite being 12 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 0P9082

Hoe Joly Smoke^t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| C

16/1

Low-mileage 7-y-o who made it 2-4 over fences this season in 3m handicap here last month. This smooth traveller can do better still over this longer trip but he's 12 lb "wrong" in the weights.

Form: 32-2151

Knockanore^p⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽³⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 127| BF

66/1

Took his form up a couple of notches when a wide-margin winner of Newcastle's Eider in February but went with much less fluency on much softer ground when a below-par sixth in Midlands National at Uttoxeter following month. Worth another chance but another a long way out of the handicap.

Form: 213316

Non-Runners

Transmission⁴⁶

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: N P Mulholland J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

High Class Hero (10/3), Resplendent Grey (9/2), Minella Cocooner (13/2), Dancing City (8/1), Lombron (10/1), O'Moore Park (12/1), Transmission (12/1), Grangeclare West (14/1), Goshen (14/1), Victtorino (16/1), Hoe Joly Smoke (16/1), Olympic Man (20/1), Spanish Harlem (22/1), King's Threshold (22/1), Monbeg Genius (28/1), Klarc Kent (33/1), Threeunderthrufive (33/1), Chosen Witness (40/1), Collectors Item (50/1), Knockanore (66/1)

The all-conquering Willie Mullins team arrive mob-handed and can hold sway once more with the unexposed HIGH CLASS HERO fancied to take a big step forward now going into handicap company with his stamina drawn out. Last year's victor and stablemate Minella Cocooner rates a big threat with this drop back in trip seeming sure to suit after his fading Grand National seventh. In-form duo Transmission and Resplendent Grey could emerge as the best of the home contingent in a cracking bet365 Gold Cup.