Gold Cup Betting
The bet365 Gold Cup Chase at Sandown (3.10pm) has a long history and is traditionally the last big race of the National Hunt season. Down the years it has produced many exciting finishes up the famous Esher hill, while the sight of the horses jumping the famous Railway Fences is a joy to behold.
This year’s renewal promises to be just as exciting with some familiar names to National Hunt fans set to do battle. Hoo La Baloo was a five-length third to Monkerhostin last year and he must have a great chance of going two better off a 9lb lower mark and with his trainer Paul Nicholls remaining in great form. His owners are cutting short a holiday to Barbados to fly back and watch him, which might be a tip in itself – a worthy favourite at 6/1.*
Still, he won’t have things all his own way as Lacdoudal (7/1) – winner of this race three years ago – looks sure to put up a bold bid back on his old stomping ground. He’s run some good races this season without getting his head in front and is able to run off a mark of 140 – 12lb lower than his winning mark. He could easily become the fifth dual-winner of this valuable contest.
The worry with backing either of the above, however, is the terrible record of favourites – no market leader has triumphed since Mr Frisk in 1990 – and with few apparent no-hopers this year it might pay to back one at a bigger price.
Bowleaze (10/1) is currently 3lb out of the handicap but is likely to go well on a track he loves, while Oodachee (10/1) is another who must be high on the list after his excellent second at Aintree last time out.
However, our pin has fallen on HENNESSY, who was having only his third chase start when fifth of 19 in the four miler at Cheltenham last month and might have been even closer but for clouting the second-last. Despite being 2lb ‘wrong’ in the weights, he looks the right type for the race and, at 14/1 with bet365, he’s an each-way price – look out for enhanced place terms on this race!
bet365 are also sponsoring the rest of Sandown’s card on Saturday, which comprises eight races, the richest being the bet365 Mile with guaranteed prize money of £100,000. Here, Paco Boy is the best horse in the race according to official ratings and, although he has to give weight to all his rivals, it’ll be a surprise if he’s beaten.