Bet365 Gold Cup 2017

Brings the curtain down on The NH Season, and after a few seasons in the doldrums, it really has picked up over the last few years.

Still the best part of 3 weeks to chew it over, but a few catch the eye, and a few firms have it priced up.

https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/54/sandown/2017-04-29/671147

Rock The Kasbah – I think this horse has bags of potential, and I was really happy with his run behind the very decent American last time. Considering connections, he’s surely got this as a serious target, and I think 33-1 is a whopping price for a horse who’ll go here off of 142.

Theatre Guide – He’ll certainly not be off of 142, he’s 10 lbs higher, but after looking the winner 3 out in The Betbright (Brennan was looking round), he didn’t find that much. I think he’s better than he showed that day, though in all fairness, I think he’d have been vulnerable to the winner, who was given a peach of a ride, and was a deserved winner. I thought he ran “ok” in The Ultima, doing his best work at the end, but in his favour now, looking back at those 2 runs, is that the Tizzard stable wasn’t firing. No such problems now though, and after an excellent Aintree, I think we’ll see a different horse here. He’s massive at 40’s, and has to be bet at that price.

Pendra – If all well with him, then I could see a nice spin round here on the spring ground as perfect for him. Unfortunately he’s got Irish National written all over him, and at the shorter odds of 20’s, it makes sense to hold off for now.

The Druids Nephew, The Young Master – This Mullholland pair will surely be ready for this, after their respective Aintree/Cheltenham dissapointments, both available at 20’s. Both ran screamers in it last year, and The Young Master did me proud, and I’ll be hard pushed not to side with him again, especially at that price, and I see no reason why the both of them can’t figure again.

Present Man – This Paul Nicholls runner probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but it’s not every day you get a frequent winner of his available at 33’s

Label Des Obeaux – Another who is probably better than his Cheltenham run, and might be worth another chance at 33’s

Rathlin Rose – Made the headlines under Capt Guy Disney, and the competition he’ll face here will be a million miles from what he’s faced in those amateur races, but Sandown isn’t for every horse, and I wouldn’t be in a rush to write him off at 25’s.

Vyta Du Roc – I’ve said recently that I suspect NJH doesn’t treat The National completely seriously, but he does this race, for sure, and I’ve suspected that although he’s been a disappointment, there’s a definite plan with him, and he’s now low enough in the weights to be a major player here. 25’s for those who want to keep the faith.

What’s Happening – Slightly disappointing in The Kim Muir, but his comeback run at Exeter was decent, and he has the sort of profile I look for here. I think he has a few pounds in hand, and would end the season perfectly for Tom George and Adrian Heskin, who’ve had a season to remember. 33’s

Kruzhlinin – I’ve bet him for Ayr, so I hope he doesn’t head here, but wherever he goes, he shouldn’t be 33’s for this. Wouldn’t be the first to go for both prizes, so I’ve not written him off here.

Doctor Harper – I’m not giving up on him, and maintain that he will win a decent prize at some point. I’ll see how the races looks before considering covering him. 33’s

Far too early really to have a go, what with The Irish National, and Scottish Nationals to come first, but I have bet a couple, in Rock The Kasbah at 33, and Theatre Guide at 40’s. I’ve got Pendra on another line at 20’s, and that would be a decent payout should he win here, so no point backing him again, and I think he’ll go Fairyhouse anyway.

That shortlist above isn’t exhaustive, so I’ll hold fire with anymore, but particularly interested in The Young Master, What’s Happening, and Present Man.

For now….
Rock The Kasbah ew 33’s
Theatre Guide ew 40’s