The Bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown Park will bring the British jumps season to a close, and fans will be looking forward to a high-quality afternoon of racing at a rather demanding track.
Sandown Park has long been known for producing competitive finishes and proper staying tests – and this fixture will be no exception. With leading trainers looking to sign off on a high, experienced jockeys from both Britain and Ireland will line up to have the bragging rights one last time.
For Irish racing fans, this meeting carries particular interest because it often brings together key form lines from the spring campaign. Horses that have competed at Leopardstown, Fairyhouse and/or Cheltenham frequently reappear for this meeting. This, in turn, provides punters with an opportunity to find the value once more with plenty of form to study.
Let’s dive into the race schedule before looking at a few horses and trainers worth following at this particular meeting.
View the odds on the Bet365 Jump Finale here.
Race day schedule
Doors will open to race-goers at 10:45 before the first race gets underway at 13:13. The Bet365 Fillies’ Juvenile Handicap Hurdle is the curtain raiser, swiftly followed by the Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle at 13:45 over 1m 7f.
Up next is the Oaksey Chase (14:20), which is one of the most exciting races on the card. Last year, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Gaelic Warrior took the prize.
Shortly afterwards is the Celebration Chase (14.55), another highly anticipated contest. This is the only Grade 1 event on the card, and it is likely to attract a big audience, who will be hoping for another dramatic finish like the one we saw last year.
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And then at 15:30 is the feature – the Gold Cup with £98,000 on the line takes place before the Select Hurdle at 16:02.
There’s time for one more race over fences – the Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase, which used to be the second on the card but has since moved to the penultimate race of the day at 16:40.
The final race on the card is the 17:15 Handicap Hurdle, and then those in attendance can enjoy some post-race entertainment to round off an incredible day of action.
Standout races and key contenders
The Bet365 Gold Cup is the standout race for the Sandown finale and consistently attracts some of the most experienced staying chasers in the game. It is run over a demanding trip that places a strong emphasis on endurance, and horses that have proven themselves in long-distance handicaps earlier in the season often do well here.
Gary & Josh Moore have a strong record at Sandown, and they enter the race leading the market with Havaila. He arrives in top form after back-to-back wins, which includes the Sussex National. In d’Or is a leading challenger at around 5/1, alongside Montregard, while last year’s winner Resplendent Grey also returns with solid claims for Olly Murphy.
Elsewhere, it’s interesting to note that Doyen Quest has been redirected to the Grade 2 Bet365 Oaksey Chase, choosing to bypass the Gold Cup, though he faces a stiff task on the weights against Blow Your Wad.
All eyes will be on Dan Skelton, who fields a powerful team, including Kabral Du Mathan in the Select Hurdle and Thistle Ask, who has been targeted for the Celebration Chase. However, he will have it all to do against two-time Sandown winner Jonbon, who heads the market after a strong campaign despite last year’s narrow defeat. Revenge will be on the cards for the now 10-year-old.
For those who like a course and distance winner and backing outsiders, both Edwardstone (16/1) and Brookie (40/1) are the only other horses in the field that have previously won at Sandown. Form hasn’t been great for either this season, but a return to a track they love may see an upset on the day.
It’s worth keeping an eye on Dan Skelton’s horse Kadastral, who is set to run in the Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old is the clear favourite in the race at 4/1, having been heavily supported in the build-up to the race. Skelton’s horses that are well supported in the market tend to run well.
Speaking of course winners, there are plenty lined up for the finale. However, Neil Mulholland’s Ike Sport looks to be a horse to keep an eye on in the betting. The eight-year-old ran a belter at the Cheltenham Festival at huge odds and was second last time out. Expect a late lunge and for this horse to be full of running in the final furlong.
Find out the odds on all the races at Sandown this Saturday at Tonybet.
Sandown Park race day betting focus
From a betting perspective, the Bet365 Jump Finale can be a complex but rewarding card that requires careful attention to form, ground conditions and race dynamics. Punters should note that Sandown Park is a right-handed track with a stiff uphill finish, which makes it a particularly testing venue for stayers and often brings stamina to the forefront of every race. Those that run well at the course or have previously performed with purpose at stiff tracks such as Cheltenham tend to do well here.
Ground conditions play a major role in shaping the outcome of the meeting. When the surface is on the softer side, races tend to become more attritional, with stamina and proven ability in testing conditions becoming far more important than tactical speed. However, the ground should be on the good side if the weather forecast is accurate – and so it’s best to look at horses that prefer the ground to be on the firmer side.
Track experience, as we’ve already mentioned, is another important factor at Sandown. Horses that have previously competed at the course tend to jump more fluently and cope better with its stiff courses and demanding finish. This familiarity can be particularly valuable in handicap chases where small mistakes can quickly end a challenge.
Late-season form is also highly relevant when heading to Sandown. Horses that have been running consistently well through March and April often arrive at Sandown in peak condition. Those returning from breaks can struggle against those that have recently been on the track or in tough races in preparation for this particular day.
Trainer intent is another key consideration for bettors. Certain yards specifically target this meeting with horses that have been set up for a spring campaign. Dan Skelton is one of those who has won with plenty of plot jobs of late – do keep tabs on his horses.
From a wagering perspective, staying races such as the Bet365 Gold Cup frequently produce value opportunities due to the size of the field and the demanding nature of the contest. Each-way betting is often a popular approach in these races, particularly when favourites can be quite short on the day.
Look out for horses that will enjoy running on a firm surface, have course experience, or know their way around a stiff track. Sandown isn’t for the weak, and without having run here before, it can be difficult to know if they can cope. If a favourite hasn’t run well here in the past, it may be best to look for value elsewhere.
Keep up to date with Tonybet
The Bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown Park may be the finale when it comes to the jumps season, but it represents one of the most important fixtures. That’s because high-class staying chases and hurdles give top-quality horses and trainers the opportunity to sign off in style. It is very much a meeting where preparation and stamina are key factors – and if a horse has been thrown in expecting to come out on top, they could be in for a rude awakening.
For racing fans following the action closely, it’s highly recommended to keep track of market movements in the build-up to the day and watch out for late betting – particularly in the more competitive handicap races, where small changes in ground can have a major impact on results.
Trainers who are in form, such as Dan Skelton, cannot be dismissed either. Money that comes for Skelton’s horses should always be considered after his excellent campaign.
Tonybet, as always, provides regularly updated odds and market coverage for Sandown’s final racecard of the year over the jumps. Be sure to check out Tonybet’s markets and price boosts before placing your bets. Good luck!
