THE finale of the 2022-2023 Jumps Season sees a super competitive Gold Cup Handicap Chase as ever, with Scottish Grand National winner Kitty’s Light making a swift reappearance in a race in which this seven-year-old was third last year and runner-up in 2021. Trainer Christian Williams is a real specialist in these quality staying races and Kitty’s Light, who was targeted at this race originally, with the owners wanting to go for the Scottish Grand National, could run another big race.
The Grade 1 Celebration Chase looks very competitive with Jonbon Unibet 11/10 heading the market for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, having won the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree easily after finishing second at the Cheltenham Festival. He could easily follow up here, providing this race doesn’t come too soon after his Aintree success. Of Jonbon’s rivals Greaneteen, is a Sandown specialist, yet hasn’t been in top form, whilst Editeur Du Gite may have run his best races for the season. Captain Guinness was second in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and third here in the Tingle Creek, so could run another big race, whilst the outsider Funambule Sivola fell for the first time over fences in the Queen Mother Champion Chase after an impressive performance at Newbury in winning the Game Spiriit for the second year running.
Enjoy whether at Sandown or #athome watching on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
1.05 Sandown – Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Iberico Lord trained by Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson really stepped-up last time out when winning at Stratford with a late challenge under a hands and hells ridden by Aidan Coleman. There was plenty to like about the way he quickened up on that occasion and his opening mark of 120 looks fair.
Unibet are paying MONEY BACK AS CASH is your pick finishes 2nd or 3rd in this race!
Celtic Art hasn’t been seen since February for the Jeremy Scott team, yet is sure to be fit and ready to follow up on his two previous victories at Wincanton where he is looked progressive. This experienced flat campaigner is having only his fourth start over hurdles and the forecast dry conditions will ensure that the ground is quick enough for him to perform at his best.
2.15 Sandown – Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3m 4½f)
Coolvalla (nap) started the season on a mark of 90 and is now on 135 after five wins from six starts, including last time out at Exeter over a marathon trip of 3m 6½f when beating Revels Hill, who reopposes here. Coolvalla is clearly overlooked, given he is twice the price of Revels Hill and has won on a range of going so it doesn’t need to be truly testing. He will run a big race.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
Mucho Mas is one of the few improvers in the field after wins at Lingfield and here at Sandown last time, with a really eye-catching performance. Back in November he tried to give 3lb to Topham winner Bill Baxter at Lingfield and his form looks very solid. He is certainly ground versatile, looks sure to appreciate the step up in distance and has strong claims with his low weight.
Broken Halo could run a big race here for the Paul Nicholls team after winning the Grand Military Gold Cup here at Sandown in good style. He looks likely to handle the step up in trip and is worth an each way wager.
2.50 Sandown – Oaksey Chase Grade 2 (2m 6f)
Hewick could have run at the Punchestown Festival or appeared earlier on the card in the Gold Cup Handicap Chase in which he was victorious in 2022. He would have carried top weight there and they have taken the option of running in Graded company over a shorter trip, which Hewick showed is no hindrance when winning the Grand National Hurdle in the US last October. Hewick hasn’t seen a racecourse since his crashing fall two out in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and provided that hasn’t dented his confidence this ground versatile type can strike here with Rachael Blackmore in the plate.
Unibet are BOOSTING the price of the favourite in this race!
