Saturday 26th April 2025
1.50 Sandown: bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase: We get things underway on Saturday with the 1.50 at Sandown, which is a Class 2 handicap chase that’s contested over two miles and four furlongs. I like Classic Anthem here for the team of Jim Boyle and Sean Bowen. He’s been progressive this term over fences and posted his best effort to date over course and distance last time out, when defeating Issar d’Airy by six and a half lengths. He’s up five pounds for that success, but could have more to offer if he progresses again. Classic Anthem – 4/1 (Win)
2.05 Leicester: Carling King Richard III Cup Handicap: It’s over to Leicester now and on the flat for the 2.05, which is the King Richard III Cup, that’s a Class 2 handicap over six furlongs. I’m with Sergeant Wilko here for Kevin Ryan and Oisin Murphy. He was highly progressive last term, winning four times, which included competitive Class 2 handicaps at Newmarket and Goodwood as well as course and distance success. He also goes well fresh, and he could take some stopping here for an in-form yard and a jockey who is two from two on him. Sergeant Wilko – 6/1 (Each-Way)
2.25 Sandown: bet365 Oaksey Chase: Next up, it’s the 2.25 at Sandown and this is the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase that’s contested over two miles and six and a half furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Gaelic Warrior here for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He bounced back to form in style at Aintree last time out, taking the Bowl by three lengths when stepping up to three miles. I think that Sandown could suit him well, and he proved last time out that he doesn’t mind a sounder surface. He’s the best horse in the race and should take some stopping if he’s in the same form. Gaelic Warrior – 11/8 (Win) (NAP)
2.40 Haydock: Try Unibet’s New Same Race Multis Handicap: My fourth selection of the day comes from Haydock and in the 2.40, which is a Class 2 handicap over seven furlongs. I’ve come down on Ramazan here for Richard Fahey and Joanna Mason. He’s a course and distance winner who looked as though he needed his seasonal reappearance run at Musselburgh earlier this month, when finishing sixth of eight. He’s been dropped a further three pounds for that run and will contest this off a mark which is just a pound higher than his last winning one. If he naturally comes on from his first run of the season, he can get a lot closer here. Ramazan – 8/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
3.00 Sandown: bet365 Select Hurdle: We’re back over to Sandown now and back up in grade with the Grade 2 Select Hurdle at 3.00 over two miles and five and a half furlongs. I think that this is another that can go to Willie Mullins and Paul Townend with Kitzbuhel, who currently heads the betting. He was too keen last time out at Aintree when finishing a distant fifth in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle; however, before that, he looked like a potentially smart prospect after winning the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial race at Gowran Park. These are slightly calmer waters than his Aintree assignment, and if he settles better, he’s got every chance of resuming progression. Kitzbuhel – 13/8 (Win) (NB)
3.35 Sandown: bet365 Celebration Chase: My penultimate selection of the day comes within the 3.35, and this is Grade 1 action in the Celebration Chase over a mile and seven and a half furlongs. Jonbon will be all the rage here at a short price, however, I’m taking him on with another Mullins runner in the form of Il Etait Tempts, who’s the mount of Danny Mullins. He’s not been seen so far this season, however, he signed off his campaign last term with back-to-back Grade 1 victories at Aintree and Punchestown, getting the better of Gaelic Warrior in the latter. Most of his rivals have reached their ceiling progression-wise here, however, he could still be improving, and he’s gone well fresh in the past. Il Etait Temps – 13/2 (Each-Way)
4.10 Sandown: bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase: Signing me off for the day will be the feature from Sandown, which is the 4.10 bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase, a Premier Handicap over three miles and four and a half furlongs. Willie Mullins dominates the betting here, and I’ve sided with one of his in Dancing City, who’s the mount of Jonjo O’Neil Jr. He was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and has since won a Grade 3 over fences, before failing to fire at Cheltenham and falling at Aintree most recently. I think he still has significant potential to be a Grade 1 performer over the larger obstacles and can make his presence felt within handicap company here, off what seems to be a reasonable enough mark. Dancing City – 6/1 (Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
