For the second year in succession Sandown’s Jump Finale plays host to not only the last day of the National Hunt season, but the decisive day in the UK trainers championship with Dan Skelton in possession of a narrow, very-much surmountable lead over Willie Mullins.
Mullins is mob-handed in his attempt to equal the great Vincent O’Brien’s feat of an Ireland-based trainer winning two consecutive UK jumps titles, declaring 21 runners to Skelton’s nine across the card, including 10 in the feature bet365 Gold Cup (4.10).
ITV Racing Tips – Jump Finale day at Sandown
1.50 Sandown – Riskintheground to win @ 7/2
2.25 Sandown – Gaelic Warrior to win @ 11/10
4.10 Sandown – Collectors Item to win @ 22/1 (each-way)
Bet on the latest horse racing odds at Betzone
Cunha can thwart Skelton in battle of the hat-trick seekers
Riskintheground has already been a poster boy for Dan Skelton’s title tilt thanks to consecutive wins at Ayr’s Scottish Grand National meeting and Cheltenham’s April meeting this month.
However, the eight-year-old is up against another hat-trick seeker in the bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase (1.50), with MAHONS GLORY expected to bring up the three timer at his expense.
Where Skelton’s gelding is unlikely to be at the very peak of his powers on his third outing in 15 days, the Dylan-Cunha-trained selection last competed at the end of March.
A comfortable three-and-a-quarter-length winner in Class 3 company on that occasion, despite idling close home, he should be able to out-improve the 3lb rise he received for that success.
Tip: 1.50 Sandown – Riskintheground to win @ 7/2
Price looks fair about putting faith in inconsistent Warrior
Willie Mullins’ GAELIC WARRIOR is 8lbs clear of the field in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase (2.25) as he bids to follow up a commanding victory over Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning in the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl.
He could certainly be shorter than the currently available X/X on that evidence, but the seven-year-old has struggled for consistency prior to that success, going four runs without a win.
Such was the authority of his Aintree success that it seems well worth chancing he’s left behind whatever was hampering him, especially at a price that doesn’t really reflect his superiority on official ratings.
Tip: 2.25 Sandown – Gaelic Warrior to win @ 11/10
Item can collect in highlight to frustrate Mullins and Skelton
The feature bet365 Gold Cup (4.10) has every chance of proving pivotal in the trainers title tussle given the £98,473 first prize.
While Mullins representatives outnumber Skelton runners 10 to one, the pot could elude both men with the Jonjo and A.J O’Neill’s COLLECTORS ITEM appealing off a feather weight.
Pulled up in the Eider Chase at Newcastle last time out, he must be forgiven that effort, but the two runs that preceded it warrant plenty of optimism he can return to form to land this.
The eight-year-old ran a fine trial over course and distance last December when a one-and-a-half lengths second to Mr Vango in the London National – an auspicious effort given the last three winners of the bet365 Gold Cup had contested some form of National that season.
Mr Vango has well and truly franked the form since by winning the Peter Marsh Chase and the Midlands Grand National and is now rated fully 17lbs higher than he was when getting the better of the selection.
Collectors Item then followed up that strong showing by beating Katate Dori by three lengths in the Somerset National. That rival is now rated a massive 19lbs higher after landing the Coral Trophy by 15 lengths on his next outing.
Those two runs suggest the O’Neills’ runner could have a good amount in hand on his current mark of 135. He looks a good each-way bet to improve his pre-Christmas Sandown silver medal.
Tip: 4.10 Sandown – Collectors Item to win @ 22/1 (each-way)
