richard-westwood

The National Hunt season draws to a close with the running of the BET365 Gold Cup at Sandown, known to many of us old timers as the Whitbread Gold Cup. This event was established in 1957 and was the first commercial sponsorship in British sport. The race is run over 3 miles, 4 furlongs and 146 yards. It is open to horses aged 5 years or older and the off time is 14.15.
18 go to post and some bookmakers are offering each-way terms of 6 places which make this a very good betting proposition.
 
I have looked at the statistics over the last 9 years and these are my key conclusions.
The ideal age is 7. These horses have produced 5 wins from 20 runs with a level stakes profit at SP of 30 points. The remainder have a record of 3 wins from 118 runs and a loss of 54 points.
Horses should have had a reasonable rest. All the winners last ran between 19 and 63 days ago and produced a profit of 22 points from 92 attempts. The remainder had 0 wins from 46 runs.
1st and 2nd favourites have a poor record with 1 win from 24 runs and a loss of 12 points.
 
Just 2 horses fit these criteria.
 
COOLVALLA 16/1
MUCHO MAS 14/1
 
I suggest backing these with bookmakers paying 6 places.

Ed and the gang at ITV Racing bring us seven races this afternoon with five coming from the seasons National Hunt finale meeting at Sandown where the feature race is the bet365 Gold Cup to be run at 2.15. The ground is riding good on both the hurdles and chase course which is quite surprising when you consider Friday’s flat card was abandoned due to heavy ground! There’s also a good flat turf handicap from both Leicester and Haydock. Here’s my thoughts on the afternoon’s fayre.   Sandown 13:05 The days action kicks off with a highly competitive sixteen runner class 2 bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle. Many with chances most notably the Nicky Henderson trained Under Control who’s looked a horse of some promise in winning at Newbury and Cheltenham on good ground this season. She flopped on very soft ground in between at the Cheltenham Frstival but if the ground isn’t too slow she should be thereabouts. She’s one of three JP McManus owned runners in the field with Henderson’s other runner Iberico Lord holding the same chance as Paul Nicholls’ Beau Balko on Stratford form from a month ago. Many others can be given chances including Ben Pauling’s Joe Dadancer who finally came good last time at Southwell and bottom weight Kansas Du Berlais who’s been doing his winning at Fontwell and must have been hard for handicapper to rate. Paul Nicholls is finishing the season in terrific form and saddles the top three in the handicap with Harry Cobden appearing to have chosen the four timer seeking Killaloan who is maybe the best of the trio in a race that the master trainer has won twice in the last four years since it’s inception. A tough race but I’ll stick with Under Control to step forward again for her recent Cheltenham win for which she’s been raised 7lb.   UNDER CONTROL 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet354 1/5th 12345   Sandown 13:40 Five decent chasers face the starter for the Grade 1 bet365 Celebration Chase run over 1m 7F 99 yards. Nicky Henderson’s smart novice Jonbon is a surprise runner here having won four of his five starts over fences with his only defeat coming in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham behind the useful El Fabiolo. He had a virtual school round at Aintree when a big odds on chance a fortnight ago and has to be a player here. His big danger and to my eyes the likely winner is the Paul Nicholls trained Greaneteen who’s won this race comfortably for the past two years. The soft ground at Cheltenham was not in his favour and with conditions to suit and officially rated a 9lb superior horse to the novice Jonbon can get the hat trick up here under Harry Cobden. Irish challenger Captain Guinness ran a stormer at Cheltenham when finishing runner up in the Champion Chase behind Energumene with Greaneteen 24L back in third and Editeur Du Gite a further 3/4L back in 4th with Funambule Sivola crashing out at the third fence. He has claims but back on his favourite course and on less taxing ground conditions it’s Greaneteen for me.   GREANETEEN 2 points win @ 9/4 bet365   Sandown 14:15 Likely favourite Kittys Light has been placed in the last two renewals of this famous race and comes here having won the Scottish Grand National only a week ago. Unpenalised for that effort he’s 6lb well in and can run well with the only niggling doubt being the fact that last year there was three weeks between the two races where as this time around it’s only a week. If fully over last Saturday’s exertions he should go close though at the prices I’m happy to look elsewhere for the winner although will definitely have a small saver to cover my stakes. Top weight Frodon has a big task under his weight whilst his trainer Paul Nicholls may have a better chance with Enrilo who’s nicely handicapped and appears to have been trained for this. There shouldn’t be much between Harry Fry’s Revels Hill and Chris Gordon’s Coolvalla on recent Exeter form and I’m surprised that the two aren’t closer together in the betting with the latter at least double Revels Hill’s price. The one I want to be with is The Goffer who’s over from Gordon Elliott’s stable in Ireland and has an excellent piece of Cheltenham form when 4th in the Ultima with subsequent big race winners in first and second (Tea Clipper behind and held).   THE GOFFER 1 point each way @ 8/1 bet365 1/5th 123456 COOLVALLA 1 point each way @ 16/1 Betfred 1/5th 12345 KITTYS LIGHT 1 point win @ 7/2 bet365     Sandown 14:50 Only seven line up for the Grade 2 bet365 Oaksey Chase run over 2M 6 1/2F, a race which Philip Hobb’s Menorah won four times on the bounce from 2014-2017. The one to beat is Shark Hanlon’s flag bearer Hewick who was pulled out of the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday due to the testing ground. He was very impressive on this card last year when taking the bet365 Gold Cup by 8L over a mile further trip than today’s. Today’s trip shouldn’t be an issue as he dropped down to this trip when winning the American Grand National last October. A versatile sort who officially is 10lb and upwards better than his six opponents he should be winning this under Rachael Blackmore. Eldorado Allen looks far too short in the current betting to me for a horse who doesn’t win often enough whilst Paul Nicholl’s McFabulous has questions to answer now having flopped last time with an irregular heartbeat. He did however win over hurdles on the card last year. His stable mate Solo has 19lb to find with Hewick and will need to improve further. This looks Hewick’s to lose and unless the ground went soft is a confident selection.   HEWICK 2 points win @ 6/4 bet365   Leicester 15:05 It’s off to Leicester now for the 1M class 2 King Richard lll Cup Handicap. Eight have declared for a race to be run on soft ground. The favourite and easily the most likely winner is William Haggas’s Al Mubhir. He went off 4/1 favourite for the Lincoln four weeks ago and despite racing freely finished a credible 5th beaten 4L behind Migration. He was 2 1/2L ahead of one of his dangers here today in Bopedro who went in to win at Newmarket and re-opposes Al Mubhir on 6lb worse terms. It’s hard to fancy top weight Notre Belle Bete who’s been pushed up 7lb for his win on All-Weather Championships day at Newcastle and looks weighted out of this back on the turf. Sir Michael Stoute saddles Aerion Power and he too may struggle on the likely soft conditions. Bottom weight Maysong won under a 7lb claimer last time and is 5lb higher now and with no claimer on his back is up against it in this grade whilst Wobwobwob won’t mind the ground and should strip fitter for his latest re-appearance effort. Al Mubhir has won on heavy ground and off of the same mark as the Lincoln run will be hard to beat under William Buick.   AL MUBHIR 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   Sandown 15:25 The Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase is a valuable 2m 4F contest which has attracted a field of nine this year. This year’s renewal looks an open contest with several holding chances. Top weight Cap Du Mathan looks the pick on jockey bookings of the two Paul Nicholls runners and with the horse he was runner up to at Kempton last time Whistleinthedark winning well on Thursday at Perth can take this despite having to give weight to all under the stable’s number one jockey Harry Cobden. Nicholls’ other runner Quel Destin will be ridden by Bryony Frost and his latest form ties in with Gary Moore’s Hudson De Grugy who loves this track having won four of his seven starts here. Ben Pauling’s Quinto Do Mar is lightly raced over fences and holds Nicky Henderson’s runner Fable on his recent Fontwell win which has been boosted since by the subsequent success of the runner up Grandads Cottage. He can run well and is favoured over Pauling’s other runner Harpers Brook. A tough race to call but with Paul Nicholls been crowned Champion NH Trainer for the 14th time today his Cap Du Mathan can take this valuable contest.   CAP DU MATHAN 1 point win @ 4/1 bet365   Haydock 15:45 The only race covered by ITV at the Lancashire track is this 7F class 2 handicap which has attracted a dozen runners. It has an open look about it with the weights headed by Richard Hannon’s Witch Hunter who surely has been weighted out of this with a 6lb rise for a Newcastle 2nd to Diligent Harry pushing him up to 108. Spycatcher would have to be on my short list having taken the scalp of the well regarded King Athos at Thirsk last Saturday on soft ground. Whether this comes too soon for him only time will tell. Ralph Beckett saddles his progressive 6 year old Biggles, a triple winner as a five year old but has a 175 day’s absence to overcome. David O’Meara has yet to get really going this turf season and saddles a trio of runners here in Orbaan, The Horse Watcher’s Rhoscolyn, who’s had his wind tinkered with since last seen some 196 days ago and maybe of more interest is the ex Charlie Hills trained Tuscan. He’s been gelded since last seen in September and new connections went to 35,000 guineas to buy him a month later. He won first time out last season from a horse now rated 107 and with O’Meara’s excellent record with other peoples cast offs has to be part of the staking plan. The other horse I like is Marco Botti’s bottom weight Rainbow Fire who bumped into the smart all weather performer Kingdom Come at Kempton 24 days ago and with that run behind him can run well back on the turf off of just a 3lb higher handicap mark with Neil Callan in the saddle.   RAINBOW FIRE 1 point each way @ 7/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 TUSCAN 1/2 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5th 1234  

First run in 1957 the Bet365 Gold Cup is a Grade 3 Handicap Chase open to five year olds and upwards and run at Sandown Park over 3M 4F 166 yards in which 24 fences are jumped. Older readers will know the race as the Whitbread Gold Cup which it was known from its inception until 2001. Irish raider Hewick won last year’s renewal for Shark Hanlon who misses this year’s renewal but can be seen this afternoon in the Oaksey Chase at 14:50. Here’s my horse-by-horse guide on this year’s bet365 Gold Cup which is set to take place at 15:15   FRODON Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Bryony Frost Joint oldest in race at eleven years of age. Started season by winning the Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton but has failed to to reproduce that effort since in four starts since. Good ground and a positive ride suit him and has built up a terrific association with Bryony Frost. Not done any favours however by Hewick defecting to Oaksey Chase as he now has to shoulder 12 stone and top weight.   THE GOFFER Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sean Bowen Joint youngest in race at six years of age. Lightly raced over fences having won a beginners chase at Thurles last November and a valuable Leopardstown Handicap Chase in February. Pulled up last time in Irish Grand National though should stay well. Had previously finished 4th in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham which looks red hot form now with the subsequent wins of Corach Rambler (Grand National) and Fastorslow (Punchestown Gold Cup). Can run well.   ANNSAM Trainer: Evan Williams Jockey: Adam Wedge Easy winner over 3M at Kempton and Ludlow from his last three starts but has risen a stone for those wins and has to prove his stamina at today’s trip (ran 6th, beaten 18L in Coral Gold Cup last November over 3M 2F, which is the furthest he’s ever travelled).   TEA CLIPPER Trainer: Tom Lacey Jockey: Stan Sheppard Yet to race beyond 3M 1F. Soundly beaten on last two starts in good company. Was a 33/1 chance when 6th in Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival some 18L behind The Goffer. Needs to improve.   CERTAINLY RED Trainer: Lydia Richards Jockey: Caoilin Quinn (5) Winner of three handicap chases this season, twice at Wincanton and here at Sandown. Teed up for this with a school round at Ascot over hurdles. 7lb higher than latest victory and will need to improve to take a hand in the finish.   KITTYS LIGHT Trainer: Christian Williams Jockey: Jack Tudor Thorough stayer who comes here in excellent form having won the Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle and last week’s Scottish Grand National. Has no penalty for last week’s 3L success and is the one they all have to beat if none the worse for last weekend exertions. Ran third in this race last year off of a 5lb higher mark though did have a three week break then as opposed to this season’s one week. Likely favourite who have a poor record in the race with the last outright favourite winning back in 1990 with Mr Frisk.   ANNUAL INVICTUS Trainer: Chris Gordon Jockey: Mr Freddie Gordon (7) Spent most of this term running over hurdles (winning twice) though did contest the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last time when a well beaten 33/1 chance. Hard to fancy on that effort and best to look elsewhere.   REVELS HILL Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Kevin Brogan Been placed in four valuable handicap chases this season and ran Coolvalla to a length in Devon Stayers Handicap Chase at Exeter last time out. 3lb higher now means he’s on a career high handicap mark. Stays well and holds each way claims.     ENRILO Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Was first past the post in this race two years ago but was demoted to third for causing interference on the run in. 6lb lower now. Pulled up last year when second favourite. Subsequently had his wind tinkered with and was going well when falling in Badger Beer Handicap Chase on re-appearance. Shown little in two starts soon but appears to have been trained for this and has been dropped 5lb since his last run. Not one to dismiss.   MORODER Trainer: Seamus Mullins Jockey: Michael Nolan A winner of 5 of his 9 starts over fences including when beating Undersupervision at Doncaster last month by a neck. 4lb rise puts him on a career high handicap mark now. Has won over 3M 6F so will see this trip out well.   ORGANDI Trainer: Richard Philips Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Not seen since October when pulling up at Cheltenham. Previously had won at Warwick but is an inconsistent sort who is hard to fancy and also has a slight stamina doubt over todays trip.   COOLVALLA Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Rex Dingle Had a terrific first season over fences winning five of his six starts with only defeat coming in the NH Chase at Cheltenham. Stays well as he showed when taking the Devon Stayers Handicap Chase at Exeter in March by a length from Revels Hill who re-opposes on 3lb better terms. All wins gained with cut in the ground so if ground rides slow would have definite claims (was taken out of Scottish National last week due to the good fast ground).   BROKEN HALO Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Tom Buckley (3) Winner of two military races here over 3M this year under Jody Sole rising 5lb for those two victories. This will be a lot tougher and has yet to race beyond three miles. Will need to improve.   MUSICAL SLAVE Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Jockey: Aidan Coleman Runner up to Hewick in this very race last year off of a 3lb lower mark. A winner at Exeter in February but pulled up last time in Kim Muir at Cheltenham Festival. Each way claims on last year’s run but ten years old now.   MUCHO MAS Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Kielan Woods Lightly raced 7 year old who’s only run four times over fences winning twice. A winner here over 3M last month on soft ground and been raised 4lb since. Yet to race beyond three miles but is an improver and may have more in the locker. 5lb out of handicap here mind.   COURT MASTER Trainer: Michael Scudamore Jockey: Beau Morgan (7) Not seen for 307 days and re-appears having had a wind operation. A winner of 5 of his 16 chases but hard to fancy even on his best form especially a he’s 7lb wrong at the weights.     DJANGO Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Sean Houlihan His 20th start of the season. Been on the go for far too long and from way out of the handicap is impossible to fancy.   RED HAPPY Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: David Noonan In same ownership as Django. His 23rd run of the season. Way out of the handicap here and needs a rest.   Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase Tips   Likely favourite Kittys Light has been placed in the last two renewals of this famous race and comes here having won the Scottish Grand National only a week ago. Unpenalised for that effort he’s 6lb well in and can run well with the only niggling doubt being the fact that last year there was three weeks between the two races where as this time around it’s only a week. If fully over last Saturday’s exertions he should go close though at the prices I’m happy to look elsewhere for the winner although will definitely have a small saver to cover my stakes. Top weight Frodon has a big task under his weight whilst his trainer Paul Nicholls may have a better chance with Enrilo who’s nicely handicapped and appears to have been trained for this. There shouldn’t be much between Harry Fry’s Revels Hill and Chris Gordon’s Coolvalla on recent Exeter form and I’m surprised that the two aren’t closer together in the betting with the latter at least double Revels Hill’s price. The one I want to be with is The Goffer who’s over from Gordon Elliott’s stable in Ireland and has an excellent piece of Cheltenham form when 4th in the Ultima with subsequent big race winners in first and second (Tea Clipper behind and held).   THE GOFFER 1 point each way @ 8/1 bet365 1/5th 123456 COOLVALLA 1 point each way @ 16/1 Betfred 1/5th 12345 KITTYS LIGHT 1 point win @ 7/2 bet365      

Enrilo as low,as 15/2 !!🤔

Just looking forward to weekends big race .....just finished rating so I thought I'd try and grab some value 
Revels Hill  9.0 8/1 
Enrilo  8.7  16/1 
Tea clipper  8.4 
As these 3 are clear of rest and revels hill is a bit clear of these there seems a lot of value currently in top 2 so I'll try 10pt ew both and sort of hope enrilo springs a surprise 😮 

Enrilo as low,as 15/2 !!🤔

Just looking forward to weekends big race .....just finished rating so I thought I'd try and grab some value 
Revels Hill  9.0 8/1 
Enrilo  8.7  16/1 
Tea clipper  8.4 
As these 3 are clear of rest and revels hill is a bit clear of these there seems a lot of value currently in top 2 so I'll try 10pt ew both and sort of hope enrilo springs a surprise 😮 

Enrilo as low,as 15/2 !!🤔

Just looking forward to weekends big race .....just finished rating so I thought I'd try and grab some value 
Revels Hill  9.0 8/1 
Enrilo  8.7  16/1 
Tea clipper  8.4 
As these 3 are clear of rest and revels hill is a bit clear of these there seems a lot of value currently in top 2 so I'll try 10pt ew both and sort of hope enrilo springs a surprise 😮 

Just looking forward to weekends big race .....just finished rating so I thought I'd try and grab some value 
Revels Hill  9.0 8/1 
Enrilo  8.7  16/1 
Tea clipper  8.4 
As these 3 are clear of rest and revels hill is a bit clear of these there seems a lot of value currently in top 2 so I'll try 10pt ew both and sort of hope enrilo springs a surprise 😮 

Just looking forward to weekends big race .....just finished rating so I thought I'd try and grab some value 
Revels Hill  9.0 8/1 
Enrilo  8.7  16/1 
Tea clipper  8.4 
As these 3 are clear of rest and revels hill is a bit clear of these there seems a lot of value currently in top 2 so I'll try 10pt ew both and sort of hope enrilo springs a surprise 😮 

Will do a lucky 31 each day at punchestown due to no comp this year 😂😂 the only one I did well in 😂😂 se our we get on 🤞💰👍

3.00 plump 
Abingworth  8 .0  3/1 
Hello sunshine  7.8 12/1 
Not a fantastic race but these 2 are a bit clear ...Abington is in form and sets a good standard but hello sunshine has run poorly last twice but returns to hurdles now and is well treated so shouldn't be discounted...I'll try 6pt win abing ...4pt hello 

3.00 plump 
Abingworth  8 .0  3/1 
Hello sunshine  7.8 12/1 
Not a fantastic race but these 2 are a bit clear ...Abington is in form and sets a good standard but hello sunshine has run poorly last twice but returns to hurdles now and is well treated so shouldn't be discounted...I'll try 6pt win abing ...4pt hello 

Patent. 
3.00. Plum. Independence     11/2    2nd 
4.00. Plum. Ramo                    9/4       2nd 
4.45. Strad. Caras Soldier       7/1
stk 3.50      rtn. 142. 94
Good luck all. 

Stratford. 
Single. 
3.45. Manimole         11/2       3rd
stk.5.00     rtn. 32.50.
Good luck all. 

Sha tin 9.35
Czarson
Noble win
Both each way
Thesis is a non runner and this withdrawal at the weights may significantly affect the chances of these two runners. 
Noble win is 2/2 in Australia and gets the assistance of Zac Purton for the first time.
Czarson is weighted directly below thesis while noble win is drawn alongside thesis on the 'traverse' ie stall 1.  thesis was due to run from stall 12 and on a turning track they would meet.

3.00 plump 
Abingworth  8 .0  3/1 
Hello sunshine  7.8 12/1 
Not a fantastic race but these 2 are a bit clear ...Abington is in form and sets a good standard but hello sunshine has run poorly last twice but returns to hurdles now and is well treated so shouldn't be discounted...I'll try 6pt win abing ...4pt hello 

3.00 plump 
Abingworth  8 .0  3/1 
Hello sunshine  7.8 12/1 
Not a fantastic race but these 2 are a bit clear ...Abington is in form and sets a good standard but hello sunshine has run poorly last twice but returns to hurdles now and is well treated so shouldn't be discounted...I'll try 6pt win abing ...4pt hello 

3.00 plump 
Abingworth  8 .0  3/1 
Hello sunshine  7.8 12/1 
Not a fantastic race but these 2 are a bit clear ...Abington is in form and sets a good standard but hello sunshine has run poorly last twice but returns to hurdles now and is well treated so shouldn't be discounted...I'll try 6pt win abing ...4pt hello 

Elvis non runner .....hello kitty !!....wins 

A good day at the office 👍

A good day at the office 👍

A good day at the office 👍

RESULTS UPDATE
A good day with 3 winners, the first being at 33/1.  I can see why a lot of members love the outsiders.  Sail Away also won together with Kittys Light.  I received 1.45 on my L15, should have been a small profit but got reduced because of later non-runners.  My profit on the day was 25.32.  This now makes my MTD -7.41 and YTD -57.23
We seem to have 5 class 4 races tomorrow and one class 3 with a 9/4 favourite.  I may give racing a miss tomorrow.