SANDOWN brings the curtain down on the current jumps season with a top class card as ever and all the course watering by Andrew Cooper’s team will ensure that the ground will be safe and quick. The Celebration Chase looks an outstanding renewal, with the brilliant Altior going for his fourth success in this race for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson. If Altior wins then this will be an emotional day at the wonderful Esher course. The eleven-year-old has his challenges though, with the mare Put The Kettle On looking to show that she can run as well at Sandown as Cheltenham, whilst Sceau Royal, who was the unluckiest of runners at The Festival, has his favoured ground.
Congratulations to Harry Skelton on being crowned Champion Jump Jockey in Britain.
Enjoy at home a fantastic day of jump racing and the feature race at Leicester on the flat.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
1.55 Sandown – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Lilly Pedlar trained by Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson ran really well at Newbury last time out to finish third behind Bourbon Beauty and Marada in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Final last month. She was hampered badly at the second last and was staying on in eye-catching style from the last. She comes back in trip and Sandown could really suit this mare.
Unibet 17/2 each way
Unibet's 15 To Go offer will run on this race.
2.10 Leicester – King Richard III Stakes Listed Race (7f)
Pogo has the class to take this Listed contest as Leicester’s uphill finish will suit this miler, who ran well on his seasonal reappearance last year. Pogo ran some really good races last season, including a success in a smart Listed race at Windsor in June.
Unibet 2/1 win
3.05 Sandown – Celebration Chase Grade 1 (2m)
Sceau Royal was very unlucky in the Champion Chase with so much trouble in running and surely would have made a major challenge to Put The Kettle On. At Sandown he has a good opportunity to take this Grade 1 with the quick ground conditions in his favour. He has course winning form too with his Henry III Novices’ success by eleven lengths and was second to Altior in the Celebration Chase in 2019.
Unibet 3/1 win
3.40 Sandown – Gold Cup Handicap (3m 5f)
Golan Fortune (nap) third to Next Destination (second to Galvin at The Festival) and Fiddlerontheroof at Warwick back in January is smart form and it is best to ignore his effort in the Midlands National, as the marathon trip didn’t work for him. This is only his fifth start over fences, however the last two winners of this race had similar experience and Golan Fortune won smartly on chasing debut beating Champagne Well. The booking of Tom Scudamore is very interesting and a mark of 140 gives Golan Fortune a winning chance.
Unibet 10/1 each way
Irish Prophecy can run a big race here for inform Emma Lavelle if he sees out the Sandown hill. He has won chases this season at Newton Abbott and Taunton and gave El Presente plenty to think about on quick ground at Exeter, when finishing second that day back in October. Irish Prophecy came back after a four month break last month to run well when finishing third in a hurdle race at Ascot. He is a course winner here and looks primed for this contest.
Unibet 16/1 each way
Unibet's 15 To Go offer will run on this race.
5.25 Sandown – Handicap Hurdle (2m 3f)
L’ Homme Presse makes his Handicap debut off a mark of 132 after winning with ease at Chepstow beating Getaway Luv by twenty eight lengths. That was his first start for 26 months and for Venetia Williams after two appearances in France. L’ Homme Presse looks sure to be open to plenty of improvement and has been given a good opportunity by her shrewd trainer.
Unibet 7/1 each way