The jumps season ends at Sandown on Saturday and so it’s a huge afternoon on the main ITV channel to look forward to with four races from the Esher track and two on the Flat from Haydock and Leicester.
The 13.50pm at Sandown is a handicap hurdle over 2m. LORD YEATS is a classy Flat performer who ran really well over jumps at Aintree last time. With a lovely racing weight he could run a big one for Jedd O’Keeffe at a tasty price in a race where Paddy’s paying the first four home.
Next at Sandown is the 14.25pm, a Grade 2 chase over nearly 2m7f. DEFINITLY RED was brought down last time at Cheltenham, but he’s a quality horse who is going to take some stopping for Brian Ellison with a positive ride.
The 15.00 at Sandown is the Grade 1 Celebration Chase over nearly 2m. Not much to say here, as is often the case bar an accident ALTIOR will win. The Champion Chase hero is simply too good. Maybe God’s Own for second.
We round off at Sandown with the feature race, the Grade 3 Gold Cup Handicap Chase over 3m 5f at 15.35. I’ll take a chance each-way here with former Scottish National hero JOE FARRELL at 12/1 in a race where Paddy is paying the first 6 home. The Rebecca Curtis runner was pulled up in the National, but that doesn’t worry me as I’d forgive any horse for that. There was a sign the time before that Joe Farrell was about to hit form.
Meanwhile, the 2.05pm at Haydock is a handicap over 7f. WAHASH looks a good each-way bet here. He stays well and should get a good pace to run at. The draw is fine and he’s not gone up in the handicap for a good third at Doncaster last time.
And we finish our Flat coverage with the 2.45pm at Leicester is a Listed event over 7f. Commonwealth Cup hero EQTIDAAR has only every run at 6f, but I have a feeling he will love going 7f here. No good thing on ratings, but promises much for Sir Michael Stoute.
Let’s bring the curtain down on the jumps in style. You hear me Paddy?
*Prices correct at time of publishing but may fluctuate
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