Sandown – Saturday 23rd April

It has not been the best couple of days from a punting perspective and I am a little annoyed at myself for throwing away some easy darts at some poor standard racing at Kilbeggan over the last few days. The results have been very unpredictable and have not necessarily gone to the formbook, which puts everything into the air. However, today’s racing at Sandown marks the official end of the National Hunt calendar in Britain, and there are some useful enough races to have a look through. I have landed on a few selections from the card. 

Starting with the 2.25, which is the 2m6f Oaksey Chase and sees only a field of 4 go to post in this race. What it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality as plenty of these have been loyal servants to Grade 2 ranks over the last few seasons. The horse I am about to put up would not be a favorite of mine by any means, but in this field and against this opposition – I find it very hard to get past Mister Fisher – who should be right at home on this ground and in this grade. He has disappointed in his last two outings at Grade 1 level, including when pulling up at Aintree – but that has been in his want throughout his career, that he has not been quite good enough for Grade 1 level. He hoovers these types of races though, and that was in show when winning at Kempton back in January to Eldorado Allen, with that form being boosted at Cheltenham also. He has to give weight away to Saint Calvados and Erne River in this race, but there are question marks over Saint Calvados’ jumping and that he bleeds, while Erne River has a lot to find in the book to improve to this level. Mister Fisher is no mega price, but at 7/4 in a field of 4 such as this – he may actually represent some value. 

The 3.32 race on the card at Sandown is the feature race on the card and this Bet365 Gold Cup looks a typically competitive renewal, and as a result – I am prepared to throw two darts at the board and hope that they can run well. The obvious contender is the well found Kitty’s Light – who is deserving of a race such as this based off his placed form throughout the year. He was second in the Scottish Grand National last time, which was a brave run and he gets a good swing at the weights from Win my Wings on this occasion. Having been very unlucky not to win this race last year, when he was hampered up the straight – it seems to have been a long term aim to get him to return to this race. They have succeeded in doing so and he comes here with a massive chance of a decent weight. Jack Tudor remains in the saddle and Christian Williams has farmed these races in the last few months. He is currently 9/2 with Paddy Power, who are offering 5 places – I am going to play it extra safe and back him each way. 

However, I am not letting this race slip by without sending a second warrior into war and I’m doing it with last year’s fortunate winner of this race, Potterman. Whether he should have won the race last year or not, Potterman was running a massive race and his form from his win at Kelso last time looks like he is returning to the type of form that could get him to run very well in this race again. He is only two pounds higher than he was for this race last year, which seems lenient enough and the combination of this trip and most importantly, this ground – is vital to his chances. He has performed in big handicaps before off decent weights, so this will be of no surprise to see him run well here, and outrun his odds. He is currently 11/1 with Paddy Power, which is simply too big – and he should also be backed each way in this contest.