It's been a great season with new faces on the jockey circuit, new horses crowned Champions, Paul Nicholls comfortably regaining his trainers title but same old AP McCoy; always winning and once again this Saturday will see 'The Champ' officially crowned Champion Jump Jockey for the 19th consecutive season. 19 years in a row this man has ridden more winners over obstacles than any other - what an incredible feat and one I doubt will ever be beaten. It's a decent card at Sandown to bring the curtain down on the season, with the big betting race being the Bet365 Gold Cup and I've had a look at the card for some late opportunities to try and line our pockets.
2.05 Juvenile Hurdle
Baradai is the selection here and I'm really keen on him. Venetia William's horse was running a really good race at the end of the Fred Winter at Cheltenham and could well have finished closer to the winner had he got going sooner. However he was going really well at the end of that race and, although a faller LTO at Aintree, that will ensure he comes here fresher than he would have had he finished that race. Proven on soft going he can make up for his fall at Aintree and help Aiden Coleman get even closer to a century of winners this season.
3.15 Celebration Chase
This really should see Gary Moore's admirable Champion Chaser Sire De Grugy crown a great season with victory here, although he is a very short price. I feel that until we see him take on Sprinter Sacre he won't get the credit he deserves for his victories but hopefully that will come next season. Pepite Rose will be loving the forecast rain and gets a mares allowance, she could chase SDG home.
3.50 Bet365 Gold Cup
There are quite a few horses lining up here on the back of runs in the Grand National at Aintree earlier this month; Burton Port (Unseated at the 2nd fence, of interest here on the basis of his Newbury return to form) and Rose of the Moon (got as far as the 26th fence and also burst, line safely through this one) are two such horses and Burton Port actually makes quite a bit of appeal. He was fancied for the Aintree showpiece and having unshipped his jockey so early into that contest should come here a fairly fresh horse. Prior to that he had shown signs of a return to form when tried in cheekpeices at Newbury and if those tactics can work again here he could go well. Will stay this trip as well which, in a race where so many won't, will hold him in good stead. For example Bury Parade and Bally Legend come here with form tying together from a big handicap at Kenpton. However both their form has come over shorter trips and Sandown, a stiff track anyway, will present a thorough test of stamina over this 3 m 5 f trip.
Carruthers would be an extremely popular winner and he certainly won't be found wanting for stamina. While he did contest the Grand National he goes down as one who unshipped his rider early on in the Grand National so that shouldn't have taken much out of him here. There are a few reasons why I like this popular chaser; his front-running, bold style could well see Sandown bring out the best in the old 12 year old, he won't be inconvenienced by soft conditions and is well versed in winning big handicaps having taken the Hennessy in his time. I think the veteran is worth a nibble at 20/1.
I did really fancy Godsmejudge in the Scottish Grand National, however I think this run could come too soon on the back of that really good 2nd place and he is passed over here so for my final selection (to go with Carruthers)we head to Ardkilly Witness. This horse has been aimed at this race for a while by Grand National winning trainer Dr Richard Newland and comes into this on a very nice weight of 10-4. He looks to have a very good chance; he has good recent form and jumps round the tricky Railway fences very well judged on previous evidence. At 10/1 he hasn't been missed in the market but I do feel he holds a really good chance and I'd take him of those at the head of the market.
Those are my main fancies for the concluding card of the National Hunt season. Punchestown is on the horizon for all the jumps enthusiasts and looks like being a cracking festival as always. However after this I'm going to start focusing on the flat, especially with the Guineas only a week away. And on the flat front I think it's worth checking out Amralah in the 7.35 at Doncaster tomorrow; Will Buick makes the journey up to Town Moor for just the one ride and I doubt he is doing it without being assured this one has a very good chance. At 6/1 in a 16 runner field a place is the very least the talented and in form jockey will be hoping for.
Thanks again for reading!
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