*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change
What better way to sign off a thrilling jumps season than with a Grade 3 handicap chase at the lush setting of Sandown Park. If you can think of anything better then answers on a postcard, please.
Sandown’s Gold Cup might not have the glitz and the glamour of the Cheltenham Gold Cup but it’s still one of the most anticipated races on the National Hunt calendar. Sure, the tantalising prospect of Clan Des Obeaux in a handicap field over an extended trip has gone but this year’s renewal still looks set to be a cracker with plenty of runners boasting live chances.
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The race was first run in 1957, although last year’s renewal was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic (fair enough if you’ve wiped the whole of 2020 from your memory). It’s a 3m 5f slog around the Surrey racecourse with 24 fences to be navigated so the runners will need to bring their jumping a-game and have plenty of stamina in reserve.
Paddy Power News has rounded up everything you need to know about this year’s Sandown Gold Cup so you’re fully equipped and up to date.
SANDOWN GOLD CUP DATE AND START TIME
The Gold Cup is one of the feature races on Jump Finale day at Sandown Park on Saturday April 24. The runners and riders are set to go to post at 3.40pm BST.
SANDOWN GOLD CUP PRIZE MONEY
The winning horse will bag a tidy £64,711 for connections. You can’t turn your nose up at those sort of sums!
SANDOWN GOLD CUP RUNNERS AND RIDERS
A field of 16 runners have been declared for the Gold Cup. There were 15 in 2019, 20 in 2018 and just 13 in 2017. 2019 Scottish Grand National runner-up Crosspark heads the weights with a rating of 150 and will lug 11st 12lb around Sandown while Cheltenham Festival’s Top Jockey Rachael Blackmore is booked to ride Plan Of Attack.
Crosspark 11 11-12 Caroline Bailey Sean Bowen
Potterman 8 11-9 Alan King Tom Cannon
El Presente 8 11-9 Kim Bailey David Bass
Enrilo 7 11-5 Paul Nicholls Harry Skelton
Smooth Stepper 12 11-4 Alex Hales Harry Bannister
Irish Prophecy 8 11-4 Emma Lavelle Tom Bellamy
The Young Master 12 11-4 Neil Mulholland Kevin Brogan (5)
Cap Du Nord 8 11-2 Christian Williams Nick Scholfield
Golan Fortune 9 11-2 Phil Middleton Tom Scudamore
Kitty’s Light 5 11-1 Christian Williams Jack Tudor (3)
Plan Of Attack 8 11-0 Henry de Bromhead Rachael Blackmore
Larry 8 10-12 Gary Moore Jamie Moore
Checkitout 7 10-11 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
Doing Fine 13 10-11 Neil Mulholland James Best
Bob Mahler 9 10-8 Warren Greatrex A P Heskin
Supreme Escape 7 10-0 Evan Williams Tom O’Brien
You will find all 16 confirmed runners and riders by visiting our racecard feature HERE, as well as race info, weights and latest odds.
DON’T MISS
- DON’T MISS OUR BRAND NEW SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY SINGLE RACE TODAY
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SANDOWN GOLD CUP BETTING
Plan Of Attack – 9/2
Enrilo – 5/1
Kitty’s Light – 6/1
El Presente – 13/2
Potterman – 9/1
Golan Fortune – 9/1
Supreme Escape – 9/1
Crosspark – 11/1
Irish Prophecy – 14/1
Cap Du Nord – 14/1
The Young Master – 25/1
Checkitout – 25/1
Bob Mahler – 25/1
Smooth Stepper – 28/1
Doing Fine – 33/1
Larry – 40/1
You can check out Paddy Power’s betting market in full for the Sandown Gold Cup by clicking here.
SANDOWN GOLD CUP TIPS
Frank Hickey: “There’s a small question mark about IRISH PROPHECY (EW) getting this extreme trip but if he gets it, he has a massive chance. He’s coming from a yard in form with three winners from their last 10 runners too.”
Matt Chapman: “CROSSPARK is hardly a genius selection, as he’s not well handicapped and aged 11 for Caroline Bailey and Sean Bowen. However, he does stay strong, really strong, which might help and he goes on decent ground, as when second in the 2019 Scottish Grand National. His last win came when he was rated 135, and he’s finished second in five of his last six races and is now rated 150. So from a handicapping point of view, it’s nigh on impossible. However, I’ll have a few quid on each-way.”
Mick Fitzgerald: “PLAN OF ATTACK was spared too hard a race at Cheltenham as he fell three out in the Kim Muir. He has good solid form in big handicaps and Rachael Blackmore makes the trip over from Ireland to ride him. We all know how valuable an asset she is to Henry de Bromhead.”
SANDOWN JUMP FINALE RACECARD
13.55 – Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle – 2m
14.30 – Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 6f
15.05 – Celebration Chase (Grade 1) – 2m
15.40 – Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 3m 5f
16.15 – Select Hurdle (Grade 2) – 2m 5f
16.50 – Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase – 2m 4f
17.25 – Handicap Hurdle – 2m 4f
You can keep up to date with all the day’s racing via our superb racecard feature HERE – or simply click on the ‘Racecards’ tab at the top of the page.
READ MORE
- Everything you need to know about the 2021 Punchestown Festival
- Punchestown Gold Cup entries, betting and tips for 2021
- Clan Des Obeaux 4/1 for Punchestown Gold Cup after swerving Sandown
- Ruby Walsh and Frank Hickey’s Punchestown Gold Cup antepost best bets
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