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IT IS officially the final day of the jumps season at Sandown Park and as always I am disappointed by the lack of entries when the prize money is so good on what I still call “Whitbread Gold Cup day.”

Year on year this has been one of my favourite ante-post races to invest in. I am hugely surprised that there are only 15 final acceptors when you consider the huge prize money on offer and the only reason I can give for this end number is the prospect of reasonably fast ground.

Last year’s event was dramatic with Potterman awarded the race after Enrilo finished first, but interfered with Kitty’s Light and was placed third. On these terms the Paul Nicholls-trained charge has a distinct advantage of that returning trio and has been aimed at the race all season, hence his position at the head of the market. I think that he is the most likely winner of this famous race, hence I will save my stake on the selection on him.

The possible fast ground factor is my reason for backing the Irish raider who I feel has been campaigned in a rather strange way by his handler. Running him in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham told us either he thought his charge was way better than his current mark or he was merely shooting at stars.

As it was the ground went against him during that miserable rainy day and I’m surprised that the eight-year-old wasn’t scratched. This will be only his sixth start over fences, he looks reasonably well treated and if the weather gods don’t intervene again he looks a play at a double figure price on ground he will bounce off.

The other entry I am wary of has to be the aforementioned POTTERMAN who appears way overpriced at around the 12/1 mark. This has always been the aim all season for Alan King’s charge to defend his title and with wind surgery behind him he looked as good as ever giving up a pound to the classy Empire Steel and a further 2lbs to course specialist Big River in the class two Borders Handicap Chase at Kelso. The nine-year-old has a tremendous strike rate over fences, six from 17, and could be ready to record a career best, which he probably has to for record back-to-back wins here.

Also on the Esher card, I think that ZACONY REBEL can take advantage of the weight he is set to receive from Knappers Hill in the valuable novice hurdle event at 1.50, while MISTER FISHER returns to a more suitable class in the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at 2.25 and NUBE NEGRA has the evergreen Sceau Royal to worry about in the Celebration Chase due off at 3.00.

I shall be in Merseyside for the Haydock Park meeting on the level and it is one of the lesser races that has caught my eye for punting purposes. The 4.20 looks quite a competitive class five handicap for the level, but I immediately crossed off six of the 10-runner field for one reason or another. In the end I was stuck between the selection and the light weight Intercessor and although I haven’t put him up as a second selection in the race, if the price is right, I think I will be having a saver on the Due Diligence gelding. 

For starters the drying surface will suit him so much better than the testing ground at Redcar first time back and with Adam Keeley on board he looks nicely treated. However, the selection looks ready to put up a career best in the UK since coming over from Andre Fabre’s yard following two runs at Southwell and Kempton. That last outing was better than his finishing position suggests as he was badly hampered early on, but rallied after getting outpaced. An end to end gallop would help and a further 3lbs drop in the weights looks very fair.

Of the feature races on the card, I shall be punting on the old boy OH THIS IS US now that he returns to his optimum distance of seven furlongs in the feature handicap at 2.05. This is the lowest handicap mark he has run off since way back in 2016 and although he is not as good a horse as previously, he will relish coming from off this fast pace and mow down his younger rivals. With a couple of runs under his belt and with a first time visor on, I fancy a big run from DARKNESS in the mile handicap at 3.45.

It wasn’t too long ago that Central City was running well in some nice class four handicaps on the all-weather, being placed off marks of around 74, and he now finds himself perched on 49 with his young claimer on board. A mile has always been a shade too short for him and I expect him to reverse January 20th form with Balqaa over this extra quarter mile.  

His fourth of 10 to Pips Tune at Chelmsford over this trip is a better guide to his chance here and the old boy is hugely respected at an each-way price. However, I think the selection is lurking off a mark of 53 and with only four runs under her belt there should be significantly more to come. David Loughnane has always been a master at laying out his less talented horses, and this daughter of Coach House has been given a nice education in four starts on the sand. 

The last of those was the most encouraging, going off an unconsidered 25/1 shot at Wolverhampton over an extended nine furlongs, she was at the back of the pack early on off a very moderate pace. When the leaders quickened up turning for home the selection was momentarily left flat footed, but really found her stride inside the final 150 yards to finish a closing seventh of 10, but beaten less than five lengths. Being dropped fully 3lbs for that run seems an overreaction from the assessor.

I also fancy LOCAL BAY to defy top weight in the 5.45 for his flying trainer. These class six handicaps may not be the most enticing betting mediums for many of you and I can understand why. They are races I label “whose turn is it to win” events and the likes of the eight-year-old Peachey Carnehan and Soyounique have outstanding chances on their best form, but I think the top weight could leave this level well behind this summer and I have been waiting for him to return to this track over this extended seven furlong trip. 

Hailing from the red hot Tony Carroll yard, this son of Cable Bay just found an extended mile a wee bit too far for him following a short break and although drawn in box 11, he is normally held up in his races. To my eyes there is plenty of pace on here for him to run at and I confidently expect him to run down the majority of this field down the two-and-a-half-furlong home stretch at the Dunstall Park track.