15:35 Sandown – bet365 Gold Cup Signalling the passing of the torch from the jumps season to the thick of the flat racing calendar we see twenty runners set to lineup for this ultra competitive handicap. The money has been pouring in for the Mark Bradstock trained Step Back who now resides as favourite. A course and distance victor who many feel has been laid out for the race and is sure to go close but I hope I’ve found value elsewhere further down the card. Trainer Paul Nicholls is mob handed with three horses set to go to post. Of his trio it’s hard to discount any but it is in fact what seems to be the yards third string and youngest horse Adrien Du Pont that I favour the most. Although Nicholls runners deserve the upmost respect it’s Rolling Dylan I’m siding with this afternoon. Hailing from the yard of Philip Hobbs he put in a decent second placed effort at Taunton which he can certainly build upon. What was even more promising was finishing 5th of sixteen here at Sandown in a similar contest back in February. Residing off a similar handicap mark there’s no guarantee he’s going to be the victor of course but I think for place purposes he’s bound to go close. Of the rest there wouldn’t be a dry eye in the house if Le Reve found his way into the winners enclosure but at the age of 11 his best days may be behind him despite two recent successes. Honorary mentions for Joe Farrell who was well fancied at Aintree and Beware The Bear who aims to make it three wins in a row. ROLLING DYLAN (E/W)
ITV Racing: 13:50 Sandown – Harambe (E/W) 14:05 Haydock – Cold Stare (E/W) 14:25 Sandown – Charbel (WIN) 14:45 Leicester – Donjuan Triumphant (WIN) 15:00 Sandown – Altior (WIN)
by Rory Paddock
The Cambridge News – PicksfromthePaddock.co.uk: 14:45 Leicester – DONJUAN TRIUMPHANT (WIN)
The Jersey Evening Post – Rory Paddock: 15:55 Leicester – MULLARKEY (WIN)
East Anglian Daily Times – Dean Kilbryde: 16:50 Haydock – MORDIN (WIN)
Norwich Evening News – Chris Connolly: 16:50 Haydock – MORDIN (WIN)
Ipswich Star – Matt Polley: 14:45 Leicester – HEY GAMAN (WIN)
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