
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
A week on from his stunning success in the Scottish Grand National, Kitty’s Light heads to Sandown in a bid to land the Gold Cup Handicap Chase on the final day of the Jumps season in Britain.
Just one horse has completed the rare double – Hot Weld in 2007 – and Christian Williams’ stable star – third in this last year and seeking a hat-trick after February’s Eider victory – does not have to lug a huge weight around the challenging Esher track because Frodon tops the handicap off a lofty mark of 160.
The presence of the 2020 King George hero leaves some of the 18-runner field out of the handicap including last year’s runner-up Musical Slave and the progressive Mucho Mas.
Gold Cup Handicap Chase odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.
Gold Cup Handicap Chase tips
Timeform: 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.
Gold Cup Handicap Chase runners
Frodon
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Bryony Frost Age: 11 Weight: 12st 0lbs
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.
***
The Goffer
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 6 Weight: 11st 3lbs
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.
***
Annsam
Trainer: Evan Williams Jockey: Adam Wedge Age: 8 Weight: 11st 3lbs
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.
***
Tea Clipper
Trainer: Tom Lacey Jockey: Stan Sheppard Age: 8 Weight: 10st 13lbs
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.
****
Certainly Red
Trainer: Lydia Richards Jockey: Caoilin Quinn Age: 9 Weight: 10st 10lbs
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.
***
Kitty’s Light
Trainer: Christian Williams Jockey: Jack Tudor Age: 7 Weight: 10st 8lbs
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.
*****
Annual Invictus
Trainer: Chris Gordon Jockey: Mr Freddie Gordon Age: 8 Weight: 10st 8lbs
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.
**
Revels Hill
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: K. Brogan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 6lbs
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.
****
Enrilo
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 9 Weight: 10st 5lbs
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.
**
Moroder
Trainer: Seamus Mullins Jockey: Micheal Nolan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 4lbs
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.
***
Organdi
Trainer: Richard Phillips Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 11 Weight: 10st 3lbs
Back to winning ways in 3m1f Warwick handicap in September but off the track since being pulled up at Cheltenham following month. Needs to hit the ground running on comeback.
**
Coolvalla
Trainer: Chris Gordon Jockey: Rex Dingle Age: 7 Weight: 10st 3lbs
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.
****
Broken Halo
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Tom Buckley Age: 8 Weight: 10st 3lbs
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.
***
Musical Slave
Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Jockey: Aidan Coleman Age: 10 Weight: 10st 2lbs
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.
***
Mucho Mas
Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Kielan Woods Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Progressive novice chaser who bids for a hat-trick after wins around 3m at Lingfield in December and here in March. This longer trip promises to suit so he shouldn’t be underestimated despite being 5 lb out of the handicap.
***
Court Master
Trainer: Michael Scudamore Jockey: Beau Morgan Age: 10 Weight: 10st 2lbs
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.
**
D’Jango
Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Sean Houlihan Age: 10 Weight: 10st 2lbs
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.
**
Red Happy
Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: David Noonan Age: 6 Weight: 10st 2lbs
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.
**
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