April 25 / 15.30 Sandown

15.30

Good

bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £98472.5
  • 3m 4f 146y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
ITV
View Course
bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 2-3611 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
A rising force in the last 15 months and that's gained serious momentum in his last two starts, when winning easily by 7l at Newbury (extended 2m7f, good to soft) and 5l in the Sussex National at Plumpton (3m5f, good); strong-travelling sort who's now seeing out his races really well too; up another 10lb but could still have more in the locker.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Havaila

10st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

A rising force in the last 15 months and that's gained serious momentum in his last two starts, when winning easily by 7l at Newbury (extended 2m7f, good to soft) and 5l in the Sussex National at Plumpton (3m5f, good); strong-travelling sort who's now seeing out his races really well too; up another 10lb but could still have more in the locker.

9/2

1st

5

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Havaila

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won over C&D (good) last March and reappeared with creditable third of 16 at Windsor (3m4f, soft) in January; bounced back from lesser run with convincing win at Newbury (2m7f, good to soft) last month and this progressive 7yo may be able to take a 9lb rise in his stride.

9/2

1st

8

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Havaila

10st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Fine return to action when close third over 3m4f at Windsor (soft; handles good) in January, but he was a bit disappointing over this C&D next time and needs to bounce back.

5/1

20/1

  • Place: £4.50

Form: 33-F64

Last run: 100 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Withdrawn from Scottish National last week due to the heavy ground; 6lb lower than this time last year (when third in the Scottish National) as he's not fired on all cylinders this term, but excuses can be made; he's won two major 3m handicaps going right-handed (Ascot and Kempton) on good ground, back in the 2022-23 season admittedly but this 11yo may be dangerous to dismiss, including as first-time blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Our Power

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Withdrawn from Scottish National last week due to the heavy ground; 6lb lower than this time last year (when third in the Scottish National) as he's not fired on all cylinders this term, but excuses can be made; he's won two major 3m handicaps going right-handed (Ascot and Kempton) on good ground, back in the 2022-23 season admittedly but this 11yo may be dangerous to dismiss, including as first-time blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces.

20/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 3533P2

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
He was set to be the only Willie Mullins runner in last week's Scottish National but was withdrawn due to the heavy ground; 7yo who was delivered with what seemed a winning challenge under Patrick Mullins in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham (3m2f, good; furthest he's been) six weeks ago only to find that Ask Brewster battled back; up 6lb but has to be in serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Road To Home

10st 13lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

He was set to be the only Willie Mullins runner in last week's Scottish National but was withdrawn due to the heavy ground; 7yo who was delivered with what seemed a winning challenge under Patrick Mullins in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham (3m2f, good; furthest he's been) six weeks ago only to find that Ask Brewster battled back; up 6lb but has to be in serious calculations.

7/1

2nd

17

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Road To Home

11st 0lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Pulled up over hurdles at Leopardstown (3m, heavy) last month and there's a stamina question to answer; however, his best form has come on good to soft ground over fences and the way he kept on for third at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in December hints he may have potential over a staying trip.

11/1

Form: 136-33

Last run: 98 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
3m6f for the NH Chase at Cheltenham last March was his only attempt beyond 3m and he was below form; that was also his last run for Venetia Williams (bought for £220,000 in October at the David Maxwell dispersal) and he's been a good third this winter in 3m handicaps here and at Ascot; needs to build on that, as he's edging up the weights, but he's not fully exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

In DOr

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

3m6f for the NH Chase at Cheltenham last March was his only attempt beyond 3m and he was below form; that was also his last run for Venetia Williams (bought for £220,000 in October at the David Maxwell dispersal) and he's been a good third this winter in 3m handicaps here and at Ascot; needs to build on that, as he's edging up the weights, but he's not fully exposed.

5/1

3rd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

In DOr

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bought for £220,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal prior to running well, only 2l behind Welcom To Cartries, at Sandown (3m, good to soft) on debut for new connections; this second-season chaser likely has further progress in him; sole attempt at Ascot resulted in a success in this race 12 months ago (good ground); big player back here.

4/1

6th

7

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

In DOr

11st 3lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Venetia Williams

Ridden by his owner; major progress when switched to chasing this winter for small-field handicap wins over 3m at Taunton (good to soft) and Ascot (good); found his revised mark at Sandown (3m, heavy) a bit too much in hat-trick bid but again ran well and staying beyond 3m may be possible.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-1020 CD

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Won this race (good ground) last year in first-time cheekpieces off a 10lb lower mark; first and second in two small fields this season, alongside two heavy defeats in top handicaps; tried blinkers when fading right out of it at the Cheltenham Festival last time and now reverts to cheekpieces; also back on firmer ground but a new career best is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Resplendent Grey

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won this race (good ground) last year in first-time cheekpieces off a 10lb lower mark; first and second in two small fields this season, alongside two heavy defeats in top handicaps; tried blinkers when fading right out of it at the Cheltenham Festival last time and now reverts to cheekpieces; also back on firmer ground but a new career best is needed.

12/1

15th

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Resplendent Grey

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (extended 3m4f, good) last April in first-time cheekpieces and returned to form when second at Windsor (2m6f, soft) in January; his jumping can sometimes lack fluency but, with first-time blinkers replacing the cheekpieces, he has an each-way chance if minimising the mistakes; fourth of 18 in the NH Chase here (3m6f, good to soft) last March.

16/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Resplendent Grey

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (3m4f, good) last April and reappeared with Listed Intermediate win at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft); also effective on soft ground; however, soundly beaten in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) last time and has something to find today.

10/1

Form: -01822 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
2-14 record over fences includes some big runs, including when he hacked up at Ascot (3m5f, good) in November and took second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f, soft) on latest outing; the Ascot race was going this way round but so was his penultimate start when he kept jumping to his left at Musselburgh (12l second to Transmission); that's a niggling concern but he's handicapped to go well if this is another good day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Rock My Way

11st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

2-14 record over fences includes some big runs, including when he hacked up at Ascot (3m5f, good) in November and took second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f, soft) on latest outing; the Ascot race was going this way round but so was his penultimate start when he kept jumping to his left at Musselburgh (12l second to Transmission); that's a niggling concern but he's handicapped to go well if this is another good day.

14/1

2nd

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Rock My Way

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 2-13 over fences and doesn't score too highly for consistency; however, flashes of his form read well, notably his second to Haiti Couleurs in last year's 3m6f National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and a clearcut win at Ascot this season; beaten 12l by a revitalised winner at right-handed Musselburgh last time (3m7f, good to soft) but he jumped left at a good few of his fences that day; last year Mr Vango became the first top weight to win since Bonanza Boy in 1991; handles all ground; each-way claims.

14/1

2nd

1

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Rock My Way

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 2-12 over fences but he was second in the 3m6f NH Chase at Cheltenham (good to soft; has won on soft) last March and breezed home 11l in front at Ascot (3m5f, good) in November; disappointing in the Welsh National (rather getting squeezed out at the start didn't help) but he has a big shout if reverting to the Ascot level of performance.

5/2

Form: -08813

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Tapped back into last season's initial promising form, and then some, to win by 12l in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft; from Rock My Way) in February with a first-time visor, which has been kept since; ridden by 7lb claimer when fair third off this 8lb higher mark behind Havaila in the Sussex National at Plumpton 19 days ago but needs to hit new heights again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Transmission

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Tapped back into last season's initial promising form, and then some, to win by 12l in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft; from Rock My Way) in February with a first-time visor, which has been kept since; ridden by 7lb claimer when fair third off this 8lb higher mark behind Havaila in the Sussex National at Plumpton 19 days ago but needs to hit new heights again.

16/1

3rd

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Transmission

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

Tapped back into last season's promising form, and then some, to win by 12l in a first-time visor at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft; Edinburgh National) in February; has also won on good ground and 2-2 over hurdles here; an 8lb rise may not stop him if the visor maintains its positive effect.

7/2

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Transmission

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Cheltenham regular over fences and competitive off slightly higher marks than this last season, never-nearer fifth in the NH Chase when shaping as if he stayed 3m6f; that's not been the case this campaign and although a good deal closer at Ascot last time, he was still only eighth of ten finishers; needs to build markedly on that in new visor, replacing cheekpieces.

9/2

Form: 43P22P

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 11yo (six races for current yard) who has not won since 2022 but went close with first-time cheekpieces (kept since) over 3m2f at Newbury in February; second of three at Ascot (3m) in another veterans' race next time was creditable in the end, after he'd been detached at one point; that helps to envisage him as a stayer but he jumped poorly on heavy in Scottish National (40-1, pulled up) last week and this race also looks tough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Gabbys Cross

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Georgina Nicholls

Campaigned mostly in veterans' chases during his spell with Nick Scholfield and this return to hurdles isn't guaranteed to produce a positive result on debut for another new stable; hasn't won since 2022.

20/1

8th

12

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Gabbys Cross

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish 11yo (six races for current yard) who has not won since 2022 but went close with first-time cheekpieces (kept since) over 3m2f at Newbury in February; second of three at Ascot (3m) in another veterans' race next time was creditable in the end, after he'd been detached at one point; that helps to envisage him as a stayer but he jumped poorly on heavy in Scottish National (40-1, pulled up) last week and this race also looks tough.

66/1

14

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Gabbys Cross

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish 11yo (five races for current yard) who has not won since July 2022 but nearly put that right in first-time cheekpieces (kept since) over 3m2f at Newbury in February, losing out in the final strides; second of three at Ascot (3m) three weeks ago was creditable in the end, after he'd been detached at one point, and that helps to envisage him as a stayer, but this race is so much tougher.

33/1

Form: 11-151 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
3m4f resulted in an 8l win at Cheltenham last April and he's won over 3m/3m2f in two of his three starts this season; latest was the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in which he was always front rank under Shane Cotter and responded admirably when Road To Home joined him on the run-in; up 7lb but this trip makes plenty of appeal and all five chase wins have been on good ground or good to firm (withdrawn from Scottish National last week due to the heavy); has a bit to prove going right-handed, with a run here in December prompting concern, but otherwise lots to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Ask Brewster

10st 11lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Mrs C Williams

3m4f resulted in an 8l win at Cheltenham last April and he's won over 3m/3m2f in two of his three starts this season; latest was the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in which he was always front rank under Shane Cotter and responded admirably when Road To Home joined him on the run-in; up 7lb but this trip makes plenty of appeal and all five chase wins have been on good ground or good to firm (withdrawn from Scottish National last week due to the heavy); has a bit to prove going right-handed, with a run here in December prompting concern, but otherwise lots to like.

7/1

1st

22

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Ask Brewster

10st 11lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Mrs C Williams

Hat-trick last year (2m7f/3m4f, good/good to firm) featured a spring win at Cheltenham; ran well for a long way before tiring at Sandown (3m4f) in December on going that was good to soft, soft in places; better ground today would be a plus for his claims.

20/1

Form: 8-1869

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Seems best making the running or racing prominently; his six races in the last 14 months have been a mixed bag, with an Ascot win (3m, good) in November the highlight; just 1lb higher today and ran respectably on penultimate start, but his two earlier attempts at 3m6f/4m did not work out; a tongue-tie (worn twice in 2023, with a win on first occasion) returns.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Henrys Friend

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Seems best making the running or racing prominently; his six races in the last 14 months have been a mixed bag, with an Ascot win (3m, good) in November the highlight; just 1lb higher today and ran respectably on penultimate start, but his two earlier attempts at 3m6f/4m did not work out; a tongue-tie (worn twice in 2023, with a win on first occasion) returns.

16/1

9th

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Henrys Friend

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Back to form when 5l behind Deep Cave last time at Ascot (3m, good to soft) but he does look vulnerable to better-treated opposition, for all that he's just 2lb higher than for November's win at Ascot; likely to race on the front end.

14/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Henrys Friend

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Record of 4-9 over fences, his best form when winning by 6l at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft; 5lb higher today); disadvantaged when slowly away (from a standing start) in the Ultima at Cheltenham and yet still made a challenge three out before fading; never got competitive in the Scottish National but he wasn't alone; a stiff 3m around here looks up his street; shortlisted.

15/2

Form: 3-1462 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Failed to fire in the Eider at Newcastle on penultimate start; commendable otherwise this season, making all in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft), fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m7f, good to soft) and short-headed at Exeter (3m7f, good) five weeks ago; raised another 2lb but has place claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Livin On Luco

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Failed to fire in the Eider at Newcastle on penultimate start; commendable otherwise this season, making all in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft), fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m7f, good to soft) and short-headed at Exeter (3m7f, good) five weeks ago; raised another 2lb but has place claims.

12/1

2nd

4

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Livin On Luco

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made all in Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft) on seasonal debut in November and was commendable fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) just after Christmas; didn't fire in last month's Eider at Newcastle but still features prominently in calculations; placed the only time he raced on good ground.

11/4

6th

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Livin On Luco

10st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made all under Callum Pritchard in the Southern National at Fontwell (extended 3m3f, good to soft) on reappearance in November, clear from four out and holding on by a neck from a strong finisher; came from mid-division when creditable fourth in the Welsh National at Chepstow (extended 3m6f) and having a crack at 4m+ now makes appeal; one to consider.

7/2

Non-runners

Certainly Red, Montregard, Invincible Nao

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £88.10
Straight Forecast £73.73
Tricast £314.68
Trifecta £689.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Montregard

Daily Mirror:

Ask Brewster

The Times:

Resplendent Grey

POSTDATA:

Livin On Luco

D Express:

In d'Or

Daily Mail:

Rock My Way

The Sun:

Transmission

The Star:

Ask Brewster

RP RATINGS:

Montregard

TOPSPEED:

Montregard

Telegraph:

Montregard

The Guardian:

Montregard

Daily Record:

Montregard