Without wishing to sound like an old fuddy-duddy, the Bet365 Gold Cup still needs translating to the Whitbread Gold Cup to understand its significance. Sponsors come and go but certain races like the Hennessy have a fixed place in the National Hunt calendar and the Whitbread is the traditional end-of-season staying chase.
It’s been a while since it has captured the imagination like it used to with the likes of Diamond Edge, Special Cargo and Mr Frisk, but it can still produce a thrilling climax to the National Hunt season. We are now paying for the fine bank holiday with a return to miserably wet weather and the going is currently good to soft at the Esher track. It shouldn’t change too drastically so there won’t be any excuses on account of the ground.
Godsmejudge missed his appointment at Aintree this season after a couple of disappointing displays but bounced right back to his best in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. He couldn’t quite provide us with a winner there but ran right to the line to finish second and must have sound claims tomorrow. Wayne Hutchinson is back on board and my only reservation is that the race is quite soon after his last effort.
Bury Parade is worthy of consideration but he has been raised again by the handicapper for a defeat last time. He ran on strongly to finish second and hasn’t shown any signs of his refusal to race earlier in the season. I’m just going to pass him over on account of his big weight.
Many of the others are on a retrieval mission after failing at Aintree or Cheltenham including Burton Port and Hadrian’s Approach. Burton Port was backed for the Grand National but got no further than the second fence. It is interesting to see AP McCoy back on him here but I’m not convinced that his second in the veterans’ chase showed him to be back to his best.
Spring Heeled foiled our selection, Cause Of Causes, at the festival and has a 9lbs penalty for that victory. I’m not sure that it will be soft enough for Rigadin De Beauchene but it may be worth having a saver on Same Difference. He was second here a year ago, although that did follow a win at Cheltenham. He has been a long way short of his best this season but his fifth last time suggested he could be on the way back.
Godsmejudge at 12-1 BetVictor
Same Difference at 10-1 Bet365
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
