Good Morning folks
Bet365 Gold Cup Selections below. More to follow later
16:10 Sandown
COLLECTORS ITEM – 1/2 Point Each Way @ 25/1 Bet365 5 places, 25/1 boost Ladbrokes 5 places, 22/1 5 generally
RESPLENDENT GREY – 3/4 Pt Win @ 9/1 Boost Lads, 8/1 generally
9 year olds and previous course winners have a shocking record in this which narrows the field down somewhat so this 8 year old, although out the handicap, very much caught my attention. Mullins has spoiled this prestigious end of season race by putting half the field out of the handicap in pursuit of the title but how many would he normally run given so many of them had tough races in Nationals and Dancing City fell heavily (poor jumper IMO)
Collectors Item needs to put a pulled up effort in the Eider behind him but I went through his form and he nearly ALWAYS runs terribly running left handed on Park courses! His form right handed is cracking, including a very impressive victory over Katate Dori, who went on to win the big old ‘Racing Post Trophy’ at Kempton, bolted up then going off favourite for the Ultima at Cheltenham. He also has 2 cracking runs here, finishing strongly both times and is just 1lb behind last years winner on C & D form when chasing home subsequent Midlands Grand National winner MR Vango, again very strong form. I suppose the icing on the cake if there is such a thing in such a tough, end of season race is the jockey booking. Brogan is a win and a short head 2nd (that came in a Grade 1 Novice hurdle) from 2 rides!!
Freshened up, I felt he was overpriced and would have gone stronger had he been in the weights proper. Worth chancing.
Resplendent Grey ran a strange race at Cheltenham before flying home behind Haiti so strong form. I don’t think Cheltenham is his track but he has good track form against none other than Handstands and is just 1lb out of the weights. Carries a lovely racing weight and has the champion jockey aboard who must be on a high after the Irish Grand National success. This combo have a cracking record together, Murphy being a good target trainer so I will throw him in also.