Tag Archive for: Sandown

Kitty’s Light shines in brilliant Sandown gold run

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Hugely popular staying chaser Kitty’s Light shone once again in taking bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

Just seven days after landing the Scottish Grand National, the Christian Williams-trained seven-year-old, who was third to the well-handicapped Hewick in last year’s renewal and was unfortunate the year before that, went one better after a protracted battle with Moroder.

In a deep renewal of the extended three-and-a-half-mile handicap, former King George VI Chase winner Frodon made much of the running, with Moroder upsides five out.

But Bryony Frost’s mount, shouldering top weight, was under pressure at the Pond Fence three out and as the 11-year-old back-peddled, Kitty’s Light was making stealthy headway under Jack Tudor.

There were plenty still in with a chance two out, but the 11-4 favourite, who was carrying just 10st 8lb having escaped a penalty for last week’s success at Ayr, powered up the hill and after jumping upsides at the final fence, strode out smartly to score by two and a half lengths from Moroder.

Revels Hill travelled smoothly only to be outgunned when it mattered and finished a further five and a half lengths down in third, with The Goffer making up ground to take fourth.

Having previously won the Eider at Newcastle, Kitty’s Light completed a hat-trick and became the only the second horse after Hot Weld in 2007 to successfully complete the Scottish National and bet365 Gold Cup Double.

Betfair introduced Kitty’s Light into their 2024 Grand National betting, making him a 40-1 shot for Aintree glory.

Williams said: “Coming into today there were lots of negatives and we put ourselves under pressure running him again just a week later, but we’ve had the horse since he was a yearling and Jack knows him well. We know that when we give him a chance he will do something special.

“His constitution is unbelievable and at this time of year he comes into himself. It’s hard to get him right for 12 months of the year and it’s hard to get these horses right and they tend to just tend to come into themselves.

“When we won last year’s Scottish National with Win My Wings, I trained him for five years and I don’t know where that performance came from and it’s the same here today.

“We train him nice and quietly at home and he doesn’t get knocked about when he runs and Jack was nice and kind on him in the Scottish National.

“He didn’t pull him out (to challenge) until the second last and we had the cheekpieces in the wardrobe for when we needed them.

“There was no plan, he just came out of the race so well. We just felt that he’s a special horse and we wanted to give him the opportunity to do something that not many horses have done.”

Williams was emotional in the aftermath of Ayr, following news his five-year-old daughter Betsy has been diagnosed with leukaemia.

Christian Williams and Jack Tudor after winning the bet365 Gold Cup
Christian Williams and Jack Tudor after winning the bet365 Gold Cup (David Davies for the Jockey Club)

He went on: “Ayr was great last week, we were under pressure there as we’d had such a tough few weeks with Betsy and when we got up there the story was all about Betsy. All the emotions came out when he won whereas today all the focus was just on the result.

“We showed our emotion at Ayr, but today was purely a bonus and it was because he’d come out of the race so well and we wanted to give him the chance to do something special.

“Poor Tilly my older daughter doesn’t get a mention! Hayley Moore ran the London Marathon for Cancer Research and Betsy last week and she messaged me to say she was doing it. She brought me the medal half an hour before the race so I’ve had it on since and it’s just great.

“We’ve got tough times ahead but we’re lucky to be involved in this sport and to see the joy it brings with Betsy, Charlotte (wife) and all the family at home is just a big lift. It’s all down to this horse. People talk about the jockey and the trainer, but the horse is the one who gives us these days and gives us so much joy.”

Tudor said: “He’s a freak, an absolute freak. It’s the only way to describe him. I was worried about the ground when I walked the track as it was sticky as it’s hard enough on that ground and it felt like it.

“With running last week he’s had a hard week and a lot of travelling, but it was a great shout by the owners and Chris to run him. We thought all the facts were there and the boxes ticked to run him and that’s why we ran.

“He’s unbelievable, he’s done some amount (of good) for both mine and Christian’s careers. Everything that Chris and his family are going through is terrible but this horse has done so much to lift them, I spoke to Charlotte and she said that Betsy thinks she’s famous!

“It’s brilliant and I know they’re getting a massive lift from this, it’s bound to be helping.”

Jonbon has Henderson in celebration mode at Sandown

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Jonbon proved a point for Nicky Henderson, taking on and beating senior rivals over two miles in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown.

Sent off the 8-13 favourite for the Grade One feature, Aidan Coleman’s mount, who was runner-up in the Arkle Challenge Trophy to El Fabiolo, had bounced back to score at Aintree on his previous start.

It was something of a surprise Henderson decided to run him again, given his busy back-end to the season, and in open company.

It was not all plain sailing for the brother of Douvan, however. Having led early against his four rivals, he made two jumping errors and was briefly shuffled back to last.

Coleman gave him plenty of time to get his act together and he was soon on the bridle again, and was back in contention by the Pond Fence, where Champion Chase runner-up Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore had asserted.

Beating off Greaneteen, who had won this race for the past two years, the pair had it to themselves over the last two fences, but Jonbon’s stamina kicked in, and a superb jump at the last sealed the deal for the three-and-three-quarter-length winner.

Jonbon was cut to 4-1 from 6-1 with Coral for next season’s Ryanair Chase and 6-1 (from 10s) for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Henderson said: “It was brave (running him). We had ummed and ahhed all week. I’ve been in Punchestown all week and the boys have been getting this fellow ready – Paddy (Murphy) who rides him every day, and Charlie (Morlock), who is my right-hand man, I’ve been talking to them every day and there was just no reason not to run him.

“It is very un-Henderson like sort of tactics. There was no reason I could find (not to run. I was talking to JP (McManus) for three days and he said you have got to earn your corn as you are the trainer. That was my final deciding ball, that if we take these two-milers on we will meet next season and cope with them then we can start thinking of Tingle Creek and things like that next season.

Jonbon in action under Aidan Coleman
Jonbon in action under Aidan Coleman (Steven Paston/PA)

“That (mistake down the back) was the only thing that was probably novicey about him today. It was one where he didn’t know which way to go. He had been very long at the ditch and he just didn’t quite make his mind up. To come back from that as a novice, I think that makes a man of him. Three fences later he is back on the bridle as if nothing had happened but something had happened, something quite significant in fact had happened.

“A lot of horses would have dropped themselves out after that mistake, but I think that is testament to his engine.”

Reflecting on Cheltenham, the Seven Barrows trainer said: “Cheltenham was disappointing. I was worried when this ground was going soft as I didn’t want the chase course going soft as I do think he is a better horse on good ground. He didn’t jump as well as he could at Cheltenham, but take nothing away from the winner (El Fabiolo) who again looked fabulous at Punchestown.

“Two years ago it was Energuemene versus Shishkin. Now the next dust-up is going to be El Fabiolo and Jonbon. It is one all (between them). I do (think on better ground we can get the better of him). I was mighty impressed with El Fabiolo the other day. We have proved today we can take on the best two-milers.

“Today bar one he was excellent and he will be excellent again at Cheltenham I hope next year and there is a lot to look forward to.”

Nicholls and Cobden forming formidable partnership for the rest to aim at

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Paul Nicholls praised stable jockey Harry Cobden for his role in a season that saw him officially crowned champion jumps trainer for the 14th time at Sandown’s bet365 Jump Finale.

The Ditcheat handler enjoyed a stellar campaign which saw him register his 13th King George thanks to Bravemansgame’s Christmas triumph and also return to the Cheltenham Festival winner’s enclosure following a three-year hiatus with a Prestbury Park double.

All of that leaves Nicholls just one title away from matching Martin Pipe on 15 championships – and he was keen to pay tribute to an instrumental part of team Ditcheat and a man who has partnered just shy of 100 winners for him this term.

Harry Cobden celebrates with Paul Nicholls after Stage Star won the Turners Novices’ Chase on day three of the Cheltenham Festival
Harry Cobden celebrates with Paul Nicholls after Stage Star won the Turners Novices’ Chase on day three of the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)

“He’s 24 and he’s still young for a jump jockey. But he’s getting experienced now, he’s fit and strong and he thinks about a race,” Nicholls said.

“I don’t think anyone is riding better than him, in my opinion he is if not the best, one of the best jump jockeys riding at the minute.

“He’s a big team player and he comes in every day and he schools. He’s just getting better and better and has been brilliant this year.”

Although Cobden was numerically adrift of Brian Hughes in the race to be named champion jockey, he has been a standing dish in the winner’s enclosure at the end of the season’s big races with a plethora of Grade One contests secured.

Paul Nicholls receives his trophy at Sandown
Paul Nicholls receives his trophy at Sandown (Steven Paston/PA)

“He’s one of the big players and he could be champion jockey one day, but I don’t think he measures his success on that,” added Nicholls.

“If it was done on prize-money he would be a million in front of Brian Hughes, he’s earned an amazing amount of prize-money.

“If he’s champion jockey one day, I’m sure he would love it – but I don’t think that’s his number one priority and I think he will be happy just to keep on winning big races and doing as well as he has.”

Nicholls’ thirst for success has seen him dominate the 2022-23 season with the title sewn up at the conclusion of Aintree’s Grand National Festival.

Despite the emergence of Bravemansgame as a leading figure in the staying chase division, his latest crown has been won through the sheer consistency of his whole string rather than the achievements of a select squad of superstars, and Nicholls believes it is a huge testament to his staff at his Somerset base that his string has continued to thrive throughout the campaign.

“To get to 14 championships is beyond my wildest dreams and to be a million (pounds) in front of Dan (Skelton), that’s a lot really,” continued Nicholls, speaking on a call hosted by Great British Racing. “We’ve had some fantastic horses who have been consistent all season, and I’m thrilled.

“We set the record of prize-money that we won in a season back in 2008 and, of course, we had all those superstars – Master Minded, Denman, Kauto (Star), Neptune (Collonges) and Big Buck’s. We haven’t got quite that team now, so to do that now reflects well on the team as a whole.

“What I think is fantastic is we have had a 28 per cent strike-rate throughout the season. I think that reflects well on everybody – the team, the jockeys, the owners. Twenty-eight per cent strike-rate for the season is the best we’ve ever achieved, so that has been good.”

Sir Alex Ferguson (right) and Paul Nicholls watch the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
Sir Alex Ferguson (right) and Paul Nicholls watch the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (Andrew Matthews/PA)

With 14 titles safely locked away in the Manor Farm trophy cabinet, Nicholls’ attention switches to next season where his immediate focus will be holding off the challenge of protegee Skelton and Nicky Henderson, while he also has the mammoth feat of 4,000 winners in his sights.

He said: “We’ll have to keep Dan at bay and Nicky has a lovely team of horses as well – he hasn’t quite had the winners this year, but he’s just as likely to bounce back.

“It’s always competitive, but those two seem to be the main threats in terms of the championship, and Fergal O’Brien is on the fringe of that. He’s done very well and probably just needs one or two better horses.

Horse Racing – Paddy Power Imperial Cup Day – Sandown
Paul Nicholls has his sights on passing Martin Pipe’s tally of winners in the next few seasons (Daniel Hambury/PA)

“The championship is all about prize-money and luckily we’ve trained both the most winners and earned the most money (this season) which is very satisfying.”

He went on: “I would love to train 4,000 jumps winners – no one has done that before – and I would love to be the first one to do it. Martin’s total was 3,900 and something, and we’re closing that down. And the championship – I would love to win that 16 times, of course I would.

“Martin was a brilliant trainer and there was not quite as much racing then, so to train the winners he did was incredible. It would be nice to either equal or beat that.”

Hanlon: Hewick in right spot for him at Sandown

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Rachael Blackmore partners Hewick when he attempts to strike at Sandown’s jumps finale meeting for the second year in a row, lining up in the bet365 Oaksey Chase.

Whereas last year John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s versatile performer was scoring in the handicap feature over three and three-quarter miles, his performances since have earnt him a crack at the Grade Two on the card over a mile less.

The eight-year-old – who famously cost only €850 euros – has gone from strength to strength since his victory in Esher 12 months ago, winning the Galway Plate and American Grand National before running a huge race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he was well in it before suffering a fall two out.

Having missed out on a tilt at the Grand National while recovering from his Prestbury Park exertions, Hewick was set to line up in the Punchestown Gold Cup earlier this week before conditions turned against him.

Instead he returns to Sandown for a race where he is 10lb clear of his nearest rival on ratings.

“The race is very suitable for him,” said Hanlon.

“I would have loved to have run him at Punchestown but the ground there is very tacky. I know they’re set to get a drop of rain at Sandown but I was talking to the clerk of the course and he said the ground would be like last year. So if it is on the soft side of good that will do perfectly.

“He was running a cracker in Cheltenham when he fell and I’ve tried to go down the option here of the easier route. I could have gone for the bet365 Gold Cup again, but I would be giving away two stone to everything.

“In this race it is the other way round and the opposition is giving me weight. They have to beat me this time whereas usually it’s the other way round. Take the top horse (Eldorado Allen), he is rated 12lb lower than Hewick, yet has to give him 2lb. I think the race is very suitable for the horse and he is in great form.”

Hewick has been ridden by Jordan Gainford in his six of his last seven starts.

However, with the young Irish pilot on the sidelines with injury, Hanlon has called up an old ally to deputise – having been one of the first to Blackmore’s talents at the fledgling stages of her career.

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon with Hewick during a visit to Shark Hanlon’s yard at Bagenalstown in County Carlow
John ‘Shark’ Hanlon with Hewick during a visit to Shark Hanlon’s yard at Bagenalstown in County Carlow (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“We have Rachael Blackmore on board and I don’t think there is anything wrong with our jockey booking – we’ve got a great substitute,” continued Hanlon.

“It’s tough on Jordan because Gordon (Elliott) said he was available to go over, so it is very tough the way it has worked out. Hopefully he will be back in the saddle when we get back to Galway or somewhere.”

Kim Bailey’s First Flow and Joe Tizzard’s Eldorado Allen are next best on official figures but the biggest danger to Hewick could be the improving Solo who has seen the form of his Pendil Novices’ Chase victory franked in recent weeks.

The seven-year-old is one of two for Paul Nicholls alongside McFabulous as the champion trainer looks to win this contest for the fourth time in a row.

“Solo won the Pendil Novices’ Chase last time and the form has worked out well – the horse who finished second of Jamie Snowden won last week at Ayr. We’ve kept him fresh for this,” said the Ditcheat handler.

“McFabulous, his last two runs have been disappointing. He didn’t go on the soft ground at Kempton on Boxing Day. He pulled up at Newbury and had an irregular heartbeat for whatever reason, but he’s been fine since. But he has been out of sorts and has to bounce back from that.

“Solo I think will go very well in this, but I think Hewick is the one to beat.”

Topham runner-up Fantastic Lady represents Nicky Henderson, with the field rounded off by Gary Moore’s hat-trick-seeking Black Gerry – a winner of four of his six appearances this term.

“He’s governed by the ground but has done amazingly well this year,” said Moore.

“It won’t be easy for him and he wants soft ground really, but the trip will suit him well.”

Although Black Gerry may be an outsider in the Oaksey Chase, Moore holds a strong hand in the bet365 Select Hurdle with Goshen.

The enigmatic seven-year-old was a good winner of the Ascot Hurdle in November before finishing second to Paisley Park in the rearranged Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton. But he now has a point to prove following some below-par efforts since.

Goshen, ridden by Jamie Moore, goes on to win The Coral Hurdle at Ascot
Goshen, ridden by Jamie Moore, goes on to win The Coral Hurdle at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“I like to think he has a reasonable chance,” said Moore.

“He hasn’t once been out of the money this year and I’ve done some stupid things with him – I’ve run him over fences twice and run him at Fontwell.

“He won’t be signing off because he will be running on the Flat if we have some soft ground next week, but hopefully he will be out in the field by June and July.”

Thyme Hill was a Grade One winner over fences earlier in the campaign but now reverts to hurdles for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, while Nicky Henderson saddles both 2018 winner Call Me Lord and the likeable mare Theatre Glory.

Nico de Boinville and Theatre Glory return after securing Listed honours at Warwick
Nico de Boinville and Theatre Glory return after securing Listed honours at Warwick (PA)

The five-strong line-up is complete by Knappers Hill, who was a winner of a handicap last yearat this meeting and has performed adequately when handed some stiff assignments this term.

“If he gets two-mile-five he will go well I think. We have kept him fresh for this,” said Nicholls.

“He ran twice in a week back in February which was a bit too much for him really and then we’ve kept him fresh for this.

“He won over two and a half at Chepstow on debut this season and definitely has a chance. I guess it will be good to soft and that will suit him well.”

Jonbon following Altior route in chasing Sandown glory

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Jonbon has the chance to replicate the achievement of Seven Barrows alumni Altior when he lines up in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown.

Nicky Henderson’s dual Champion Chase winner followed up his Arkle success in 2017 by landing this as a fencing rookie – his first of three victories in the race – and Jonbon will now also attempt to win it as a novice, stepping into open company for the first time.

Although he fell short in his own quest for Cheltenham Festival glory when second behind El Fabiolo in the Arkle, Henderson’s strapping seven-year-old got back on track with a bloodless 43-length success in the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree and now returns to a course and distance he has already tasted Grade One glory at this season.

“He’s come out of the race in Liverpool good and Nicky is really happy with him,” said Frank Berry, racing manager for Jonbon’s owner JP McManus.

“He was very good at Aintree and did everything well and it’s a nice race for him to wind up the season and step into open company. He’s in good form and he will hopefully give a good account of himself. You will know where you stand for the start of the new season and we can take it from there.

“He has the right man training him and he’s happy with him.”

This race has seen no shortage of repeat winners in the past 10 years and another horse looking to follow in the footsteps of Altior is Greaneteen.

Greaneteen, ridden by jockey Harry Cobden, clears a fence on their way to winning the bet365 Celebration Chase last year
Greaneteen, ridden by jockey Harry Cobden, clears a fence on their way to winning the bet365 Celebration Chase last year (Nigel French/PA)

Paul Nicholls has won this race seven times in the past and his course specialist has an impeccable record at the Esher track, winning this the past two years and now searching for a hat-trick on the back of a third in the Champion Chase last time.

“He loves the track and he comes good at this time of year,” said Nicholls.

“He ran very well in the Champion Chase and would have been second if he hadn’t made a horrendous mistake at the top of the hill, which is unlike him.

“He did well to finish third and he seems in good order. He will need to be to beat Jonbon because I think Jonbon is an improving horse. It will be a good race and we think we have quite a nice chance.”

Henry de Bromhead’s consistent Captain Guinness was a place ahead of Greaneteen at Prestbury Park and looks to add to Special Tiara’s 2015 victory for the Knockeen handler, while in fourth at the Festival was Gary Moore’s Editeur Du Gite.

Prior to that the nine-year-old had caused a shock in both the Desert Orchid and the Clarence House and would prove a fitting winner for connections who tasted success in this race with Sire De Grugy in both 2013 and 2014.

“It would be a lovely way to end the year if he could win,” said Moore.

Editeur Du Gite has won both the Desert Orchid and Clarence House Chase this season
Editeur Du Gite has won both the Desert Orchid and Clarence House Chase this season (Nigel French/PA)

“It’s no easy task with Jonbon in there and the two that beat him at Cheltenham. But hopefully the ground will be a bit better for him this time. It isn’t his favourite way round but he’s in relatively good order so fingers crossed.

“He’s had a good year and this would be a nice way to end it. It would be lovely to win it again, it’s a race I like, I think it’s a great race and a great spectacle. We’ll do our best.”

The field is complete by Venetia Williams’ Funambule Sivola, who was an early faller in the Champion Chase but won the Game Spirit on his penultimate start.

Kitty’s Light could be fantastic again for Williams at Sandown

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Scottish Grand National hero Kitty’s Light bids for a rare double in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on Saturday.

The seven-year-old is turning out just seven days after providing trainer Christian Williams with back-to-back victories in Scotland’s most prestigious jumps race, with the Ferdy Murphy-trained Hot Weld the last horse to win both races in the same season back in 2007.

Williams was dealt a devastating blow recently when his five-year-old daughter Betsy was diagnosed with leukaemia, and the Welsh handler was unsurprisingly emotional in the Ayr winner’s enclosure following Kitty’s Light’s deserved big-race success north of the border.

“It was a wonderful day. It’s been a tough few weeks for my family and friends, Kitty’s Light has been a flagship horse for the last few years and going into the race winning Scottish National would have been a massive boost, so it was very emotional for everyone,” he said.

“We’re just lucky enough to be involved in the sport and see the joy that horses can bring. This was just one situation there at the weekend, what the horse did to pick everyone up, and it’s all down to Kitty’s Light. It was a wonderful, emotional day.”

Kitty’s Light has been a fantastic servant to his connections, placing in numerous big races prior to this season, including in the last two renewals of the bet365 Gold Cup.

He snapped a near two-year losing streak in the Eider Chase at Newcastle in February and having chased home stablemate Win My Wings in the Scottish National last April, went one better with a typically game performance under his regular partner Jack Tudor.

Jockey Jack Tudor (left) and trainer Christian Williams celebrate after Kitty’s Light's Ayr triumph
Jockey Jack Tudor (left) and trainer Christian Williams celebrate after Kitty’s Light’s Ayr triumph (Jane Barlow/PA)

Williams admits only time will tell if those exertions will take their toll just a week later, but is happy to the roll the dice with a horse who is somewhat out of the ordinary.

He added: “The horse seems very well and came out of the race very well. You never really know until you run, but Jack is riding him and he knows the horse better than anyone – he’s in the right hands.

“He loves this type of ground and loves this time of year. We haven’t ridden him out much this week, but we let him out in the field on Sunday and he galloped off like a lunatic.

“It’s obviously brave running him, but we’ve had the horse since he was a yearling and he is a freak really. If you saw him he’d be the last horse you’d pick out for a four-mile chase, but he defies all that.

“The way he comes out of a race is freakish – you could nearly run him in the next race. I don’t know if he’s got big lungs or a big heart, but he’s different to any other horse we’ve run.”

Williams feels Kitty’s Light should already have a bet365 Gold Cup victory under his belt, having been narrowly denied after a controversial finish in 2021.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Enrilo passed the post in front, but having hung badly left in the closing stages, impeding Kitty’s Light in the process, he was demoted to third.

However, as Potterman split the pair in second, he was awarded the race, with Kitty’s Light promoted from third to second but again having to make do with minor honours.

“Paul Nicholls felt he should have won the race when the result was reversed and we felt we should have won the race,” said Williams.

“We think his name should be on that winner’s board, so hopefully we can get it up there on Saturday.”

Frodon and Bryony Frost will team up again at Sandown
Frodon and Bryony Frost will team up again at Sandown (Niall Carson/PA)

On the day he will be crowned champion trainer for a 14th time, Nicholls saddles three runners in his bid for a fourth bet365 Gold Cup success, with popular top-weight Frodon joined by Enrilo and Broken Halo.

“Broken Halo has won the Grand Military and Royal Artillery in his last two starts but this is altogether a tougher race. He’s not without an outside chance, but I think the other two – Frodon and Enrilo – have a real chance,” explained Nicholls.

“Frodon ran very well the last day in a handicap at Kempton. He was flat out all the way then stayed on strongly up the straight and I just thought this would be a lovely race for him. I’m sure he will run well and he likes Sandown.

“The distance is unknown territory but he got three-and-a-quarter in the Badger Ales staying on strongly. Sandown is the sort of track you can freewheel from the top of the hill down and round the back and I think he will get a trip – I think he’s wanting it now.

“Enrilo won the race two years ago but got demoted. He’s been a tad disappointing since, but he has dropped to a nice mark and I would say this is as good form as we have had him in for a long time.”

Other leading contenders include Harry Fry’s Revels Hill, Ben Pauling’s recent course scorer Mucho Mas and the Evan Williams-trained Annsam, who has previously won at Kempton and Ludlow this season.

“It’s a big step up in trip, a very competitive race and there’s a few horses who are very well-in at the weights,” said Williams.

“I think Ludlow was important for us really. Obviously we went up in the weights, but that is almost an irrelevance as it was important to ride him in a different way and it worked out well.

“I was very keen to come and have a go at Saturday. At the end of the day this was a plan and getting there after a good prep is the main thing.”

Heavy rain leads to Sandown abandoning Friday card

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Friday’s high-profile Flat fixture at Sandown had to be abandoned after heavy rain left the course unfit for racing.

The Esher track was due to stage a two-day meeting, with Saturday’s end-of-season jumps fixture preceded by a quality card on the level.

Derby and King George hero Adayar was due to make his return in the Group Three bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes, while several colts had the opportunity to stake a Derby claim in the bet365 Classic Trial.

The Group Two bet365 Mile was also set to take place, but Sandown’s clerk of the course Andrew Cooper called a precautionary inspection for 7am late on Friday evening and ultimately had no option but to call off proceedings.

He said: “We had just under 12 millimetres of rain here on Thursday, the bulk of which arrived from 6pm onwards. Once that set in, that was when we triggered the precautionary inspection.

“I wouldn’t say the rain wasn’t forecast, but things took a turn for the worse at that sort of time, having previously been looking reasonably OK.

“We looked just after 7am this morning and unfortunately after just under half an inch of rain, in Flat racing terms, it’s left the track very patchy, with false patches in places you frankly can’t avoid.

“The jumps racing on Saturday won’t be an issue, but in Flat racing terms the inconsistency of the ground is quite dramatic in some places after that rain and it wasn’t fit for purpose.”

Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper
Sandown’s clerk of the course Andrew Cooper (Simon Cooper/PA)

Cooper confirmed no inspection is planned ahead of the bet365 Gold Cup meeting on Saturday and is hopeful the key Flat races lost from Friday’s card will be rearranged.

“The outlook is dry and there shouldn’t be any problems of significant nature on the jumps course. There is certainly no issue in terms of the racing going ahead,” Cooper added.

“I would think those discussions will kick in (regarding rescheduling Friday’s races). The British Horseracing Authority will lead on that as ultimately they’re their Pattern races.

“They are important races at this time of the season, so I’m sure every effort will be made to reprogramme some if not all of the Group races.”

Arrest out to collar Sandown’s Classic Trial

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Arrest is given the opportunity to earn himself a shot at Derby glory when he makes his seasonal debut in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown.

The Group Three contest has proved a key pointer to the world’s most famous Flat race in the last couple of years, with 2021 runner-up Adayar going one better at Epsom and last season’s winner Westover finishing a luckless third in the Derby before lifting the Irish equivalent.

Like Westover, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Arrest is a son of the great Frankel and also carries the late Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte operation.

“We’re looking forward to seeing Arrest back in action, he’s in good nick and it’s a good starting point,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon.

“It worked out well for us last year with Westover and hopefully history can repeat itself.”

Arrest certainly brings excellent credentials to the table in the 10-furlong contest, having won twice during his juvenile season before rounding off his campaign with a narrow defeat in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Frankie Dettori will be in the saddle on Friday, with the popular Italian still on the lookout for a ride in what will be his final Derby before retirement.

And with the forecast testing conditions not a major concern, Mahon is hopeful Arrest can advertise his Classic credentials.

He added: “He handled the heavy ground in France last year and I think it was pretty soft when he won at Ffos Las the time before. I think he’s pretty uncomplicated when it comes to ground conditions.

“The trials are all so tight and all so close to the big day, so I think if he was to go to a Derby, we’d probably do what we did last year with Westover and go straight there from Sandown.

“There’s a few nice types in the race, but our lad is ready to start and while I’m sure he’ll improve for the run, hopefully he’s fit enough to run well.”

Westover’s trainer Ralph Beckett bids for back-to-back wins with the promising Salt Bay.

Ralph Beckett has high hopes for Salt Bay
Ralph Beckett has high hopes for Salt Bay (Mike Egerton/PA)

An impressive winner on his Haydock debut in September, the Farhh colt subsequently finished third in the Criterium International and Beckett is excited ahead of his return.

“Salt Bay has trained well this spring and Sandown will suit. I’m looking forward to running him,” said the Andover-based trainer.

“I don’t think the trip will be an issue as he will probably get a mile and a half. It is a race we have thought about for a while for him.

“He is a generous worker and a very straightforward customer. I think he is a horse that will probably improve physically as he gets older as he is that type, but let’s hope he has improved enough over the winter to get competitive on Friday.

“Westover was much more experienced at this stage last year as he had already had three starts, whereas this fellow wouldn’t know quite as much, so the comparisons are unfair at this stage.”

Flying Honours won three of his five starts as a two-year-old for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, including the Group Three Zetland Stakes at Newmarket on his most recent appearance.

Appleby said on www.godolphin.com: “Flying Honours has enjoyed a good prep and this has been his aim for a while.

“He hasn’t raced on ground like this before although his pedigree suggests that he should be OK and, if it places an emphasis on stamina, it will be another plus for him.”

Salisbury novice victor Circle Of Life represents the King and the Queen Consort for the trainer-jockey combination of Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore, while Andrew Balding raises Relentless Voyager’s sights following a runaway success in an all-weather maiden at Kempton last month.

Adayar starts out on road to Ascot

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Derby and King George hero Adayar locks horns with the exciting Anmaat in an intriguing renewal of the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown on Friday.

Adayar provided trainer Charlie Appleby with a second Derby success at Epsom two years ago, a victory he proved was no fluke by beating his elders in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Last season was not so smooth for the son of Frankel, he did not make his reappearance until dominating a couple of rivals in a Doncaster conditions race in September, after which he got closest to Bay Bridge in the Qipco Champion Stakes.

With Appleby keen to add a 10-furlong Group One to the five-year-old’s CV before he is retired to stud, he views this Group Three as an ideal starting point ahead of an intended appearance at Royal Ascot.

“We have been delighted with Adayar’s preparation. He worked well in a racecourse gallop at Newmarket last week and it was always the plan to start him off here,” he said on www.godolphin.com.

“The ground is going to be testing and this is very much a prep race ahead of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, but he is the class horse in the field.”

The Moulton Paddocks handler also saddles Highland Avenue in a bid to ensure the four-runner contest does not develop into a tactical affair, adding: “Highland Avenue is a decent horse in his own right, having won the Feilden Stakes and run well on soft ground in the Heron Stakes as a three-year-old

“He will hopefully ensure that there is a decent gallop in the race.”

Anmaat at Longchamp
Anmaat at Longchamp (Ashley Iveson/PA)

The biggest threat to Adayar is the Owen Burrows-trained Anmaat, who last season won the John Smith’s Cup at York, the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock and the Prix Dollar on Arc weekend in Paris.

The Awtaad gelding is saddled with a Group Two penalty for that latter victory, meaning he has to concede 5lb to Adayar despite being rated 3lb his inferior by the handicapper.

Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell, said: “We’re very much looking forward to seeing him run. He’s got his work cut out, taking on a Derby winner, but we’ve got to start somewhere.

“I don’t know if he wants heavy ground, but a bit of ease won’t do him any harm and Owen has been very happy with him as far as I know and it will be good to get him back in the swing of it.

“We’ll take it one race at a time, but that is obviously the plan in a perfect world, to make him a Group One winner.

“He’s an incredibly tough horse with a great attitude. I don’t think he’s going to want firm ground, so we’ll be guided by the conditions as to whether to he’s a mid-summer horse or not, but let’s take it one step at a time and get this out of the way first.”

Sir Michael Stoute’s Regal Reality, who won the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over the course and distance four years ago, is the only other runner.

Hewick heads to Sandown after bypassing Punchestown Gold Cup

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Hewick will sidestep the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup in favour of a return to Sandown on Saturday.

Shark Hanlon’s stable star won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown 12 months ago before going on to claim further big-race victories in the Galway Plate and the American Grand National.

Connections decided against a tilt at the Grand National at Aintree after the eight-year-old suffered a heavy fall two fences from home in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, instead electing to keep their powder dry for a late-April outing.

Hewick was declared to renew rivalry with the first and second from the Gold Cup in Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame at Punchestown, but Hanlon voiced concerns about conditions in County Kildare earlier this week and on Wednesday morning confirmed he will now instead head to Sandown.

“I walked the track (at Punchestown) this morning and the ground is very gluey,” said the trainer.

“I know the horse wants good ground and there’s no point pulling the tail end out of him for the whole year. If the ground was good I wouldn’t mind taking on Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame, but just on soft ground I don’t think I’d have any chance of beating them, so we’ll head to Sandown with him.”

Hewick will have to carry the welter burden of 12 stone if he is to bid for back-to-back wins in the bet365 Gold Cup – and while no final decision has been made, Hanlon admits the Grade Two bet365 Oaksey Chase on the same card may be a more attractive proposition.

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon with Hewick
John ‘Shark’ Hanlon with Hewick (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

He added: “I have to talk to the owner about it, but we have to give away a lot of weight in the bet365 and the other race looks very winnable.

“I’ll see what the owner says. I spoke to him this morning and just said I thought we should take him out of Punchestown, he’s very good and lets me do what I think is right.

“He’s nearly a stone well-in with a lot of horses in the Grade Two, so we’ll see.”