15:32 Sandown

Saturday 23 April 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3216:0716:4017:15

bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 7m 26.58s

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Selected odds by:

Win My Wings^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 154

13/2

Relished test of stamina to win last 3 starts, notably Eider Chase (33f) at Newcastle and Scottish National at Ayr, making a mockery of 8 lb rise for latest success under this rider. Hit harder this time with a 14 lb higher mark to defy, but that looks justified.

Form:

Potterman²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 149| CD

16/1

Awarded this race last spring off 2 lb lower (would have had to settle for only third but for the carnage that unfolded). Mixed record this season but arrives on the back of a good win in 4-runner handicap at Kelso. Highly respected.

Form:

Hewick^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J C Gainford⁽³⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 149| D

16/1

Much improved in the autumn, making the most of a good opportunity to win the Durham National at Sedgefield in October. Shaped better than being pulled up might suggest after 5 months off in Midlands National at Uttoxeter 5 weeks ago, badly hampered by loose horse.

Form:

Kitty's Light^p1,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 145| BF

4/1

Yet to score this term but he's taken his form up another notch, excellent second in Kempton handicap and Scottish National last 2 starts. Beaten 7 lengths by his stablemate in latter event and 12 lb better off now (though Win My Wings had fair bit in hand). Most unlucky not to win this last year.

Form:

Enrilo^p⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| C

9/2

Took well to fences last term, first past post in this off 1 lb lower. Shaping well before falling in Ladbrokes Trophy on return and excuses at Cheltenham next time. Back on track in this headgear when fourth at Kempton and remains unexposed at marathon trips. Big run expected.

Form:

Domaine De L'Isle^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: S Curran| OR: 140

25/1

Dual winner in handicap chases last spring but not at that level this term, behind when unseating at The Chair in the Grand National 2 weeks ago.

Form:

Fidux²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 140

25/1

Likeable type who showed surprising stamina upped to a marathon distance for the first time when fourth in the Scottish National at Ayr 3 weeks ago, albeit beaten 24 lengths. Making the frame probably best he can do here once again.

Form:

Streets Of Doyen^p,t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: B Hayes| T: J C McConnell| OR: 139

15/2

Off the mark over fences at Galway last summer but has largely struggled since, albeit out of his depth in a Grade 1 at the Cheltenham Festival latest.

Form:

Flegmatik^t⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139

12/1

Confirmed previous promise when taking 3m handicap at Kempton and defied 7 lb rise in impressive fashion back there 2 months ago. This a different test (unraced beyond 3m) but respected all the same.

Form:

Cap Du Nord^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Christian Williams| OR: 135| C

16/1

Capitalised on a good mark in 14-runner handicap chase at Kempton (24f) but disappointed at Aintree since, not surprising given his inconsistent profile. Left the impression this extreme distance was just beyond him when fifth last year.

Form:

Via Dolorosa^b,t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 135

80/1

Useful in France and has matched that form for his present yard in landing 3m handicaps at Southwell and Fakenham. Struggled in Scottish National next time, however, and let down by jumping in Topham at Aintree 6 days later.

Form:

Prime Venture^p²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 133| C

50/1

Seen to maximum advantage when winning veterans chase (Series Final) here (3m) in January. Not disgraced when sixth in Scottish National last time but was ultimately well held. Others make more appeal.

Form:

Step Back^b1³⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss L Bradstock⁽⁷⁾| T: M Bradstock| OR: 130| CD

33/1

Won this in 2018 off 5 lb higher and also third the following year. Enhanced good record here when winning a veterans event last season but not so good nowadays and well held all 3 starts this term. Now tried blinkered.

Form:

Musical Slave^p⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130| C

5/1

Has been a much safer jumping conveyance this year and it has reflected in his form, scoring in a small field here last month before back to something like his very best in first-time headgear when following up at Haydock last week. Needs considering off same mark (due to go up 7 lb).

Form:

El Paso Wood^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Philip Armson⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 125

50/1

Completed 4-timer in French Provinces last year and gained first win for current yard at Wincanton (26.7f) in January. Mixed record since, however, pulled up in Scottish National latest. 3 lb out of weights.

Form:

Forecasts

Kitty's Light (4/1), Enrilo (9/2), Musical Slave (5/1), Win My Wings (13/2), Streets Of Doyen (15/2), Flegmatik (12/1), Hewick (16/1), Cap Du Nord (16/1), Potterman (16/1), Fidux (25/1), Domaine De L'Isle (25/1), Step Back (33/1), El Paso Wood (50/1), Prime Venture (50/1), Via Dolorosa (80/1)

ENRILO travelled much like the best horse when first past the post in this last year off 1 lb lower but was subsequently disqualified for hanging into the fast-finishing Kitty's Light, which handed the race to the untroubled Potterman. There shouldn't be much to choose between them again with all 3 arriving at the top of their game, but Enrilo is better off at the weights so is taken to make amends. Win My Wings is another obvious contender after her romp in the Scottish National 3 weeks ago.