Sandown Hosts Season Finale with Bet365 Gold Cup Highlight
This Saturday, Sandown Park will bring the curtain down on the 2025/26 National Hunt season with a compelling race card. While the lineup may not boast the star power of previous years, it offers numerous quality contests for racing enthusiasts to analyze and enjoy.
Key Races and Betting Opportunities
The day kicks off with the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at 2:20pm, where Blow Your Wad, trained by Gary and Josh Moore, is heavily favored. However, at odds around 6/4, many bettors might seek more value elsewhere on the card.
The feature event, the Bet365 Gold Cup at 3:30pm, presents a prime handicap opportunity. Havaila, another runner from the Moore stable, shows promise but raises concerns due to a preference for left-handed tracks, prompting analysts to explore alternative contenders.
Top Picks for the Bet365 Gold Cup
In D'Or, trained by Fergal O'Brien, emerges as a standout selection. Purchased from the David Maxwell dispersal sale, this horse has had a light season with only two runs, finishing third at both Ascot in December and Sandown in January. Those performances over three miles suggested he would benefit from the extended trip of three miles, four and a half furlongs in the Gold Cup.
Last season, In D'Or placed sixth in the National Hunt Chase over three miles six furlongs, indicating he could be well-handicapped off a mark of 137. With proven form at Sandown, he offers excellent each-way value at 11/2.
Our Power, trained by Sam Thomas, provides a compelling outsider option at 25/1. Withdrawn last week due to rain, this 11-year-old could capitalize on better ground conditions. Despite recent below-par runs, his third-place finish in last year's Scottish Grand National off a mark of 143, now racing six pounds lower, suggests he retains competitive spark.
Other Notable Contests
Earlier in the day, the Grade One bet365 Celebration Chase at 2:55pm features Jonbon aiming for a third victory and his 13th top-class win. However, Thistle Ask, trained by Dan Skelton, poses a significant threat. Beaten by three lengths in January's Clarence House, Thistle Ask is expected to improve on better ground and comes fresher than Jonbon, making the 15/8 odds attractive.
Final Pointers for Saturday
- Thistle Ask in the bet365 Celebration Chase at 2:55pm.
- In D'Or each-way in the Bet365 Gold Cup at 3:30pm.
- Our Power each-way in the Bet365 Gold Cup at 3:30pm.
As the National Hunt season concludes, these selections offer strategic betting angles for a day of high-stakes racing at Sandown.
