Bet365 Gold Cup 2018

Another race which is hard to be strong on, with Aintree and Ayr approaching, there are certainly a large number of these entered for the two Nationals, let alone the other races.

https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/54/sandown/2018-04-28/696821

There are five that jump out straight away though…….

Calett Mad – The Albert Barltett looked the wrong choice for this horse, I certainly preferred his chances in The Pertemps, but either way, you have to forgive a lifeless run to consider him here. I’m happy to forgive him, the AB was a tough old gig, and he wasn’t the only one to pull up. If given a long enough break here, by swerving Aintree and Ayr, I think he should be worth another try, and with enough chasing experience under his belt, I’ll quietly ignore the fact that The Albert Bartlett is hardly a traditional stepping stone for this. I was at Musselburgh when he won, and he was very impressive. Trainer has a strong looking hand for The Scottish National, and interesting that Calett doesn’t feature there. If he comes here, he’s a massive player, and a very nice price right now. 20’s

Mr Mix – Has to improve, but not out of the question, and considering connections, he, at the very least, looks one of the more likely ones to head here. With so many question marks over the others, he does provide some sort of Ante-Post appeal, and he won’t be this price when he does look as if he’ll be heading here. 33’s

Ms Parfois – Ran the race of her life in The National Hunt Chase, and if over those exertions, a serious player here, who deserves her place at the head of the market. Still on a smashing mark, and one of those horses who screams “Hennessey”. Off a mark like that, they have to consider the handicap route, but going forward, I think she could tackle graded company, and I just have a hunch me might see her at Aintree or Punchestown, with lofty targets. 12’s

Present Man – Another horse who could take an unusual route here, having been last seen in a Novice Hurdle that day at Musselburgh. Another horse I got to see in the flesh that day, and though no “paddock watcher”, or a good judge of horseflesh, he looked really unfit before the race, and I thought there and then that it was a quiet run to keep him ticking over. Yes, he pulled up in this last year, off 5lbs lower, but he’s got a couple of wins under his belt, including in The Badger Ales, and he may be worth another try. He does look about the right price just now though. 16’s

Theatre Guide – Did me proud in this last year, and at Kempton before that, so when he ran a big race in The Badger Ales, I thought that there’s life in the old dog yet. Happy to forgive his run in The Cotswold, that looked the wrong race for him, while you can put a line through last time, where he had an uncharacteristic fall. Down 5lbs on the mark he placed on last year, and he looks one of the more likely ones to head here, the owners will be here with Cue Card (they also have Royal Vacation) and he just looks too big. 40’s

I’d be mad keen on Calett Mad then, and will watch the market closely. I won’t be diving in big just now, as this will be a fairly big betting race for me, and don’t want to blow the budget on a Nonner. I’ll top up if the price starts to plummet. The other one is Theatre Guide, and he seems, touch wood anyway, a fairly safe Ante-Post proposition, at too big a price.

I’ll have a proper look at this race at the five day stage, but until then, those are the five that jump out.

Callet Mad 20’s Win
Theatre Guide 40’s Each Way

GL