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The curtain comes down on the British National Hunt season with the historic marathon at Sandown that typically throws up a fierce, stamina-sapping showdown. This year’s field is stacked with quality and intrigue, headlined by Grand National protagonists, proven stayers, and unexposed chasers all battling for end-of-season honours — and perhaps more significantly, points in the trainers' title tussle.
Leading Contenders
Minella Cocooner
The defending champion has had this race on his radar all season. Though winless since landing the prize 12 months ago, he shaped well in the Grand National when seventh despite a slipped saddle hampering his effort. Now just 4 lb higher and with the benefit of a recent run, he looks primed for a repeat if all goes smoothly. A class act with form at the track and a proven ability to carry weight.
Grangeclare West
His third in the Aintree Grand National — only three lengths behind Nick Rockett despite a significant error at the last — was an effort of true merit. He’s top class, stays all day, and arguably should’ve gone closer. The three-week turnaround is a question mark, but if Mullins declares him, expect serious support.
Threeunderthrufive
At his best when second in the Swinley Handicap Chase to Victtorino (having won that race the year prior). The Grand National didn’t go to plan — taken wide and pulled up — but he’s a bold front-runner who could enjoy the return to a smaller field. Looks set to run his race.
Captain Cody wins the @Coral Scottish Grand National for @WillieMullinsNH and @CobdenHarry 🏆@ayrracecourse pic.twitter.com/xN5WGfJaKO
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 12, 2025
Dancing City
Fell in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree when shaping well. Had previously impressed in top-level novice hurdles and fences, and has the class if stamina holds out.
High Class Hero
Looks tailor-made for marathon handicaps but was a major disappointment in the Scottish National when never landing a blow. That said, he's still lightly raced and clearly held in high regard. Don’t be surprised if he bounces back here with the longer trip firmly in his favour.
Victtorino
Ascot is his track — he’s won both the Silver Cup and the Swinley Chase there — and though disappointing last time, the return to a right-handed venue helps. His jumping can be scrappy, but he's no forlorn hope.
Lively Outsiders & Interesting Novices
Transmission is steadily improving and brings good Cheltenham form, while King’s Threshold and O’Moore Park are upwardly mobile types who could run big races if getting in off proper weights. Lombron is another who could outstrip his mark if he builds on recent promise.
Best of the Rest
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Goshen has the ability but lacks consistency.
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Chosen Witness could bounce back from a below-par Scottish National.
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Hoe Joly Smoke is Dan Skelton's course winner and has had this race as his target since scoring here in March.
Bet365 Gold Cup Chase
£175,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 4f 166y, Class 1
20 runners
Going: Good
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 -P6253 Grangeclare West 9 12-0 W P Mullins Brian Hayes
2 -58947 Minella Cocooner 9 11-1 W P Mullins Danny Mullins
3 10-32P Threeunderthrufive 10 11-0 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
4 -1116F Dancing City 8 10-11 W P Mullins Jonjo O'Neill Jr
5 P-2212 High Class Hero 8 10-8 W P Mullins Paul Townend
6 P-311P Victtorino 7 10-8 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch
7 P-241P Monbeg Genius 9 10-5 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Richie McLernon
8 0P-421 Lombron 6 10-2 W P Mullins Rachael Blackmore
9 -P4617 Olympic Man 8 10-2 W P Mullins Jonathan Burke
10 112244 Resplendent Grey 7 10-2 Olly Murphy Sean Bowen
11 0FF432 O'Moore Park 8 10-2 W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe
12 1-P353 Goshen 9 10-2 Gary & Josh Moore Niall Houlihan
13 -P074C Spanish Harlem 7 10-2 W P Mullins Sam Twiston-Davies
14 -1521P Collectors Item 8 10-2 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Kevin Brogan
15 -073UP Chosen Witness 8 10-2 W P Mullins Kevin Sexton
16 -65111 King's Threshold 8 10-2 Emma Lavelle Ben Jones
17 -21265 Transmission 8 10-2 Neil Mulholland Conor O'Farrell
18 0P9082 Klarc Kent 9 10-2 W P Mullins Kieran Callaghan
19 2-2151 Hoe Joly Smoke 7 10-2 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
20 213316 Knockanore 8 10-2 Ryan Potter Freddie Mitchell
