Sandown Gold Cup Betting: Ro-w in with de Farges

What had appeared a big dilemma facing Sam Twiston-Davies at the start of the week was quickly made for him when his father Nigel informed him that he was riding Major Malarkey in Saturday's big race and not Dover's Hill, on whom the young jockey has won four races including a valuable handicap at the track last month.

Surprisingly Twiston-Davis jnr was having just his second ride on stable stalwart Major Malarkey (three wins from four under Paddy Brennan) when the pair combined for a career-best second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last time, the horse getting back on track having shaped as if amiss in the Grand National Trial at Haydock the time before. However, while three next-time-out scorers have come out of that last race, Major Malarkey is now returned to a career-high official mark and it's questionable as to whether he can find the requisite improvement especially with his consistency still an issue.

Coincidentally, Dover's Hill joins Major Malarkey as Timeform top rated based on weight-adjusted figures. Back to his bold-jumping front-running ways when victorious last time, Dover's Hill had subsequent Scottish National runner-up Auroras Encoure back in third that day and remains with the potential to overcome a 5 lb rise in the weights. He may yet stay the longer trip (has only raced at up to 25.5f) but connections seem to be of the opinion that he takes some knowing and he will be having his first outing under Sam Thomas at the weekend.

With weather in the Esher area forecast to be relatively dry on Friday and only light rain predicted for Saturday, unfortunately conditions are unlikely to get as bottomless as suits the admirable Le Beau Bai. The fact that his four 140+ performances have come on heavy ground at Chepstow (x3) and in similar gluepot conditions at Haydock suggest he's likely to find a few of his rivals a tad quicker, and he'll also be without now regular partner Charlie Poste who is suspended.

Others near the top of the ratings who are also set to struggle are Viking Blond (beginning to look quirky and fell at the first in the Aintree Grand National two weeks ago), Knighton Combe (a winner of a weak veterans' race last time and likely to find this much tougher) and Swing Bill (completed in National but not well handicapped enough to win a race of this nature).

Galaxy Rock would have looked interesting but being pulled up in last weekend's Scottish National (travelled reasonably but effort quickly came to nothing) is hardly an ideal prep, while Ouzbeck surely needs the ground good or better to be seen at his best and didn't look one to trust when second to Ikorodu Road last time, running in exaggerated snatches.

Philip Hobbs has won the race twice in the last half a dozen years (Lacdoudal in '06 and Monkerhostin in '08) and his Roalco de Farges should not be overlooked having confirmed himself a useful chaser with an assured display in a small-field novice at Chepstow last time. He managed only fifth when not appearing to see out the trip in the Midlands National (33.5) on his previous start but his jumping is assured, he goes on ground with cut, and he may just find 29f within the limits of his stamina.

Others to mention are top-weight Tidal Bay, who is capable but notoriously quirky, Deep Purple, who needs to return to December's course-and-distance success just to have place claims, West End Rocker, who was trained to peak at Aintree a fortnight ago (fell at the second), and dubious stayer Rare Bob, but none of which make serious appeal at the current prices.

Since the turn of the century, the Sandown Gold Cup has seen a wide range of winning performances in terms of Timeform ratings with Beau's 160 peak in 2000 a stark contrast to the successes of Jack High ('05), Hot Weld ('07), Hennessy ('09) and Poker de Sivola ('11), none of whom needed to run to a figure higher than 141 to triumph. With this year's renewal seeming likely to fall into the latter bracket Roalco de Farges, whose career-high 136 came when second to subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Teaforthreee in a soft-ground novice at Chepstow in February, may be able to improve enough to triumph.

Recommendation

Back Roalco de Farges @ 14.013/1 in the Sandown Gold Cup