The Bet365 Gold Cup, run over 3 miles
5 furlongs and 110 yards at Sandown, has produced winners at 25/1,
20/1, 16/1, 14/1, 11/1 and 10/1 twice in the last 10 years. No
favourite has won in that period, so there must be a chance that the
traditional National Hunt season finale can provide this column with
one last ‘hurrah’.
A.P. McCoy is conspicuous by his
absence from the big race, but Jonjo O’Neill could still be
victorious with Lost Legend, who has the services of Richie McLernon
and can be given a chance on his best form this season. The son of
Winged Love could make no impression on the leaders from two out in
the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase, over 3 miles 1 furlong,
at the Cheltenham Festival, but the way he stayed on in the closing
stages suggested an extra 4½ furlongs is within his compass. If it
is, he’s only 2lb higher in the weights than his last winning mark
and could make the 25/1 on offer with Coral look silly by teatime on
Saturday at 15:50.
Tony Martin’s runners on the mainland
are always worth a second look and, here, the shrewd Co. Meath
handler has Guess Again lurking off joint bottom weight. Formerly
trained by David Pipe, the 10-year-old unshipped Declan Lavery at the
fifth last in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the
Cheltenham Festival, but was still travelling well within himself at
the time. He, too, has his stamina to prove, but looks one to keep on
the right side at 20/1in the ante post lists.
Last, but hopefully not least, let’s
row in with Royale Knight, who should lack nothing in stamina and ran
well when sixth, beaten 15 lengths, behind Many Clouds in the Grand
National two weeks ago. He remains 15lb higher in the weights than
when hacking up in the Durham National, over 3 miles 6 furlongs, at
Sedgefield in October, but seems equally effective on top of the
ground as he is on softer going and may be capable of providing Dr.
Richard Newland with another high-profile winner.
So, there we are dear readers; our
final National Hunt selections for a while are, in no particular
order, Lost Legend (25/1 with Coral), Guess Again (20/1 with Sky Bet)
and Royale Knight (20/1 generally available). Good luck!
