Ante-Post Betting: Bet365 Gold Cup Chase

Events / Wayne Bailey / 21 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Wayne Bailey rates the leading contenders for Saturday's big race at Sandown...

As a former Beef Or Salmon fan, I'm acutely aware of the dangers involved in backing Michael Hourigan's horses in the UK, and it's well known that the Limerick-based handler's animals don't seem to travel too well for some reason. Good old 'Beefy' managed to win a spectacular ten Grade One races in Ireland, but was a virtual flop every time he travelled and never won a single race outside of the Emerald Isle. Backing that horse broke my heart and my wallet on more than one occasion!

Similarly, Mossbank went off as short as [5.5] at Cheltenham 2008 and was duly beaten by Our Vic - although I happened to be a layer on that occasion. But Hourigan shook the monkey off his back in February at Doncaster, and Church Island finally gave him his first UK win since 2006.

Once again, Church Island makes the trip across the Irish Sea for the Bet365 Gold Cup Chase at Sandown on Saturday, and his current price of [15.0] looks far too high to me, especially considering his cracking race in the Irish Grand National. He ran on strongly to claim second place at [81.0] on Betfair - and according to the ten-year-old's trainer, it was the blinkers that did the trick.

Hourigan was also responsible for the third horse home, A New Story at [85.0], so his chasers are certainly noteworthy right now. Crucially, Church Island does not get a penalty for his Irish Grand National run so as it stands, 10st 2lbs is not a big burden all considered. His jumping at Fairyhouse was almost faultless, and his price is just too big to ignore at this early stage.

Hoo La Baloo has attracted some of the early money and now trades as favourite on Betfair at [7.0]. It takes a brave man to oppose Paul Nicholls this season, but I've been a little disappointed with the eight-year-old in recent times and I may chance a place lay on the day, depending on prices. His mark has been on the slide lately, but I still think he'll have it all to do at these weights.

Lacdoudal trades around [8.0] and is an interesting contender. He was sixth in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham last-time-out, but ran a reasonable race and connections are pleased with how he came out of the contest. He was away from racing from April 2007 until December 2008, and looked like he needed his latest few runs to shake off the cobwebs. I'd prefer to take a watching brief on Saturday, but if he can manage to run some way near his old form, he can put up a serious challenge.

Bowleaze has been backed for small sums all the way from [40.0], and now trades around the [14.0] mark. He ran out of steam in the Cheltenham Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup but it wasn't the worst performance I've seen and Alner can take a number of positives from the race. However, I'm a bit wary of this horse as his jumping tends to let him down at times. Once again, I'd prefer to take a watching brief rather than back or lay.

According To John ([14.5]) has come up against some top class chasers in his time and usually gives you a good run for your money. He didn't exactly shine when coming fourth in the John Smith´s Handicap Chase at Aintree last-time-out, but he prefers a good slog in the mud and it looked like the ground didn't suit. Once again, I'd have my concerns about the ground on Saturday and he'd need it to come up softer if he's to perform to his best.

Advice: Back Church Island to win and place.