No room for McCoy in our best bets as an era ends at Sandown
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the best part of the last two months, you will know that Saturday’s meeting at Sandown is more than just the end of the season.
The greatest jump jockey in history, AP McCoy is set to get the leg up for the last time at the Esher Track on Box Office in the final race on the card.
Before that, he takes the ride on Mr Mole, ironically the horse he announced his retirement on, in the Celebration Chase.
You can get our thoughts on that race in our latest podcast below…
While that race will be steeped in history, arguably the bigger contest on the card is the Bet365 Gold Cup.
For the lowdown on the 3m5f handicap, click here to listen to our preview.
Other than those two contests, there are four races set to be shown live on Channel 4, with our free bet offer continuing throughout.
And in preparation for the great day’s racing, we’ve put together a very tempting each-way trixie to see the jumps season out in style and welcome in the flat.
While he’s only had one race on the flat in five years, Brian Ellison’s charge comes here fully fit after some very respectable efforts over hurdles.
He only found the very progressive Avidity too good just over a week ago at Ayr, and finished mid-division in the Grade 3 Imperial Cup.
Although he saddles top weight here, he is formerly very classy, twice a runner-up at Grade 2 level, and can defy this mark.
With over half of his runners on the flat in the last week at least placing, Ellison is starting the campaign well, and could well scoop up a chunk of the prize money here.
Neil King’s charge has an 18l deficit to reverse with the reopposing Alzammaar here, but it’s safe to assume the drop back to 2m, rather than the 2m3f they met over last time, will suit the selection far more than his previous conqueror.
That certainly seemed the case when Lil Rockerfeller quickened very nicely at Ascot last time out to score by an expanding 6l.
You can be sure he will run his race, with the worst he’s finished over hurdles being the aforementioned fourth at Newbury.
He is susceptible to the odd jumping error, so he’s risky for win purposes but he is certainly talented and can go very close with a clear round.
Much was expected of Tim Easterby’s horse last season, but after a good fifth in the Lincoln first time out, an early stumble was the precursor for a lifeless run in the Thirsk Hunt Cup.
Prior to that, Off Art had enjoyed an unbeaten three-year-old campaign, improving with every start.
He runs here off a mark of 93, the same as his Lincoln burden and should be very competitive if anywhere near his best.
Winning first time out two years ago shows, that he goes well fresh and with just six runs under his belt, can improve again.
Two of his three wins have come on good to firm ground, so conditions should be spot on for this son of Dutch Art.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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